The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, Oct. 11, urged lawmakers to pass a legislation against the so-called “demanda-me” scheme employed by overstaying foreigners to stop their deportation.

Under the scheme, overstaying or undesirable foreigners allow themselves to be sued before the prosecutors offices and in courts.

"A pending case in the prosecutor's office or in court is a ground to prevent the deportation of a foreign national,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said. 

“We respectfully seek the wisdom of Congress to pass a legislation to stop this abusive practice,” Clavano said.

“The DOJ is willing to provide all the necessary statistics, case studies and other relevant information for consideration of the esteemed Congressmen and Senators,” he added.

He said that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has revealed the scheme during the recent budget hearing at the Senate.

“Several embassies have come to the DOJ to seek help to deport fugitives back to their jurisdiction,” Clavano said. 

“However, every time they request, and after we look at our records, we see a pattern where after commitment into the custody of the Bureau of Immigration, cases are immediately filed against those who are detained at the Immigration detention center,” he lamented.

He pointed out that most of the cases are "violence against women and children or estafa.”

“Yet, upon strict scrutiny of the evidence on hand as well as intelligence reports, it is found that these cases are either very weak or absolutely fabricated,” he noted.

"The filing of weak or fabricated cases is their desperate attempt to stay their deportation," he stressed.