ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is eyeing an investigation on the issuance of documents that are allegedly being used to enable the "alarming" influx of Chinese nationals in the Philippines. 

Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications, will file a resolution before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 18 to call for such a probe. It will focus on the processes for the issuance of Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV), Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV), and the delayed registration of births. 

“It is imperative to assess the foregoing governmental processes in place that allow 
foreign nationals, especially Chinese citizens, to enter the country, stay indefinitely 
herein, and even maintain employment in the Philippines,” Tulfo said in justifying the proposed inquiry. 

“Nakababahala ang patuloy na pagdagsa ng mga Chinese nationals sa ating bansa at 
ang mas nakababahala ay kung paano sila nakapasok sa atin? Ano ang mga 
pinanghahawakan nilang dokumento bakit sila nakapag-trabaho ng legal sa ating 
bansa,” said the journalist-solon. 

(The continued influx of Chinese nationals in our country is alarming, and even more alarming is the process by which they managed to do this. What documents do they hold and how did they manage to legally get employed here in out country?) 

Citing reports from the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Tulfo said that of the at least 79,000 foreign retirees in the Philippines, more than 30,000 of them were Chinese who have been allowed to permanently reside in the country. 

What is also alarming according to Tulfo is that the PRA has been accepting retirees who are at least 35 years old since 1991. The age requirement was only raised to 50 years old in April 2021. 

“Imagine, 35 years old na mga Chinese nationals ang binigyan natin ng SRRV? Ganyan ang edad ng kalakasan ng tao, bakit retirement visa ang gamit nila? E pwede nga silang sundalo sa edad na 35 years old,” he noted. 

(Imagine 35-year-old Chinese nationals getting SRRVs from us? That's peak age for a man in terms of strength, why are they carrying retirement visas? They can be soldiers at that.) 

“The influx of Chinese nationals has raised concerns regarding the socio-economic impact, including but not limited to labor market dynamics, national security, and public order,” Tulfo also said. 

He gave these remarks in the backdrop of heightened tension between Manila and Beijing on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) 

The ranking congressman also highlighted reports linking several crimes to the Chinese influx, including human trafficking, scamming, kidnapping, illegal detention, prostitution, and other fraudulent practices. 

Tulfo also noted that the recent raids of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) establishments not only resulted to the unveiling of illegal activities but also to the discovery of offices, dorms, villas, and lifestyle facilities within such hubs. These indicate prolonged presence and actual living situations within the supposed business establishments. 

“There are several processes and privileges in place that enable foreign nationals to enter and exit the Philippines and indefinitely stay for purposes of employment, investment, and retirement, including the issuance of the SRRV and SIRV by the Philippine Retirement Authority and the Board of Investors, respectively,” Tulfo said. 

“While intended for legitimate purposes for the economic development of the country, the SRRV and SIRV may be prone to abuse, especially by Chinese nationals, who wish to avail of exemptions from immigration requirements and certain taxes and fees, entitling them to work, study, invest, and freely transact with the Philippine government,” the lawmaker added. 

Tulfo cited the case of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, wherein authorities also uncovered uncertainties and potential risks for abuse in the process of delayed registration of births. 

This could have long-term consequences, including ultimately allowing non-nationals to participate in various social, economic, and political activities, such as running for or holding public office, reserved only for Filipino citizens, he warned. 

He added that there is also a need to ascertain the current statistics and the processes of delayed registration of births, especially for those who have a history of or are currently running for or holding public office, to ensure the authenticity of personal records and to prevent deception of the general public.