Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8247)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 8247 is to exempt aliens who have acquired permanent residency under Executive Order No. 324 from the coverage of Republic Act No. 7919 (The Alien Social Integration Act of 1995) and to amend certain provisions of said Act.
All aliens whose stay in the Philippines is otherwise illegal under existing laws and who entered the country before June 30, 1992, are granted legal residence status upon compliance with the provisions of the Act, except alien refugees who are not qualified to apply.
The legal residence granted to aliens under Executive Order No. 324 is affirmed and given full faith and credit under this Act.
They are protected from prosecution for crimes related to illegal residence such as absence of valid travel documents or visas. However, this bar only applies to crimes committed due to maintaining false, fraudulent, or illegal residence like falsification of marriage, birth, baptismal certificates, travel documents, visas, or alien certificates of registration.
An initial payment of P100,000 upon filing, plus P50,000 per year over a three-year period, with all installments to be paid within twelve months from the first payment. Alternatively, a lump sum payment of P200,000 can be made immediately.
The integration fees paid by such aliens shall be refunded under the provisions of this Act.
Upon presentation of the official receipt and certification from the bank, together with the registration forms submitted, the Bureau must immediately issue an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR). The Bureau will also publish the names, ages, and residence of applicants along with their photograph in a national newspaper at the applicant's cost.
It commences from the date the Bureau of Immigration issues the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Immigrant Certificate of Residence (ICR).
The application period is from June 1, 1995, to June 30, 1997.
If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected will continue to be in full force and effect.