Bureau of Immigration

January 12, 2024

Dear donna,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated Jan 11, 2024 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You asked for REPORT A FOREIGN CITIZEN.

Response to your request

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, at the most convenient way, request to determine whether an individual has an existing derogatory record requires the petitioner to personally file the same to the BI Main Office. 

Please be informed that a derogatory record consists of personal information and is protected under Republic Act No. 10173 otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which aims “to protect the fundamental human right of privacy [and] of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.” The said law substantially provides that all types of information of any natural or juridical person are protected by the state and access therewith cannot be obtained unless consent and authority is given by the data subject or his/her representative through a Special Power of Attorney. As such, this Bureau cannot divulge the requested derogatory record of the subject via electronic means. It can only be disclosed to (a) the owner of the information upon verification; (b) a third party, bearing a Special Power of Attorney, authorizing him as the subject’s representative to collect the data; and (c) by virtue of a court order.

Moreover, filing of inclusion in derogatory record (Hold Departure Order/Watchlist Order/Alert list Order/Black List Order)  requires the pre-requisite of securing order from an authority. After satisfying such requirement, only then can the applicant proceed to file for the inclusion in the derogatory record to the Bureau of Immigration.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to The BI Commissioner, NORMAN G. TANSINGCO, Bureau of Immigration, Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.

Respectfully,
BI-National Operations Center (BINOC)
FOI Officer

We would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on how we can improve your experience!
Bureau of Immigration FOI Feedback Form URL Link:

https://forms.gle/5dZgpXFicqJeno1K7