Law Summary
Application and Accreditation Requirements
- Applications must be submitted in writing to the Commissioner, addressed to the Chairman of the Accreditation Center.
- Applicants must comply with specific accreditation requirements detailed in Annex A.
Terms, Validity, and Integrity Checks
- Accreditation is granted upon full compliance with accreditation requirements and issuance of accreditation certificates.
- Accreditation IDs are issued to representatives after training and integrity checks.
- Accreditation is valid for one year from issue date but can be terminated for violations of BI laws or accreditation policies.
Bond Posting
- All APEs except law offices must post a bond of PHP 100,000 to ensure compliance with obligations and the BI Code of Conduct.
- Bonds may be in cash or surety issued by GSIS or top private insurance companies.
No ID-No Entry Policy
- Access to BI premises and transactions require accreditation and visible display of a valid accreditation ID.
- Exceptions include passport owners or relatives with special power of attorney, bona fide lawyers, bona fide employees with special power of attorney, and responsible officers of accredited entities.
- Expired IDs used on premises will be confiscated and may result in sanctions.
- Unauthorized persons transacting business may be banned.
Fees and Membership
- Accreditation fees are PHP 5,000; renewal fees are PHP 3,000.
- ID issuance fee is PHP 1,000; renewal fee is PHP 500.
- Representatives, except lawyers, must be members of the Bureau of Immigration Accredited Representatives Association (BIARA) which endorses accreditation applications.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Compliance
- The Accreditation Center monitors performance, enforces compliance with rules and the Code of Conduct, and investigates complaints.
- Reports and recommendations including sanctions are submitted to the Composite Committee on Good Governance.
- Integrity checks are conducted prior to accreditation.
Budget and Financial Transparency
- Proceeds from fees support Accreditation Center expenses like transportation and integrity checks.
- Regular financial reports are submitted for transparency.
Code of Conduct Compliance
- Accredited representatives must not scout for clients or influence BI employees for pecuniary gain.
- Employee-relative accreditation restrictions apply to prevent conflicts of interest and nepotism.
Renewal Procedures
- Renewals require compliance with specific requirements (Annex C).
Training and Re-Training
- Training covers relevant immigration laws, anti-red tape rules, duties and obligations, the BI Code of Conduct, security policies, and performance evaluation.
Service Charter
- Accredited entities must adhere to the Accreditation Center’s Service Charter and any future modifications coordinated with the Civil Service Commission.
Sanctions and Penalties
- The Commissioner may suspend or revoke accreditation after investigations.
- Violations may result in forfeiture of partial or total cash bond.
Superseding Previous Issuances
- This memorandum supersedes all previous circulars and orders on accreditation.
Effectivity and Publication
- The circular takes effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
- Copies are filed with relevant government offices including the Civil Service Commission, Office of the Resident Ombudsman, and Development Academy of the Philippines.