SENATOR Robinhood Robin Padilla introduced Senate Bill 2548 to boost refugee and stateless person protection in the country.
“This representation seeks to institutionalize the policy in the determination of eligibility for protection of a refugee or a stateless person by creating a Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Board, which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Justice,” Sen. Robin Padilla said.
This bill aims to establish a Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Board as a branch agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ), serving as the central authority for matters related to determining the status and eligibility for obtaining protection as a refugee and stateless person.
The powers of the protection board include receiving and deciding on applications for refugee or stateless person status and resolving requests for provisional protective measures related to applications.
It will also coordinate with the UNHCR and other UN agencies.
The board’s members will include the Secretary of the Department of Justice and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Security Adviser (NSA), and four members appointed by the Philippine President for a five-year term.
Meanwhile, the proposal prohibits the State from deporting refugees unless it pertains to national security or public order, especially to countries where they may face persecution.
Punishment for refugees entering the Philippines, especially those coming from life-threatening situations, is also prohibited in the proposed measure.
According to the bill, the Protection Board must provide a written decision on applications within 60 days. Applicants can request reconsideration if their application is disapproved, and the Board has 30 days to act on it.
The Board has the authority to revoke refugee status.
