The House of Representatives is set to pass on third and final reading next week House Bill (HB) 8200 that would penalize the smuggling of foreign currency and other monetary instruments in bulk into or out of the country.
Likely passage of the measure was seen after the House approved on second reading the proposed “Anti-Bulk Foreign Currency Smuggling Act” through a voice voting Tuesday.
The bill mandates that any person who intends to transport foreign currency equivalent to $10,000 or more would be required to declare it under oath using a prescribed form.
The form would contain the following information: 1) personal information, including name, date of birth, citizenship, passport number, permanent address, and occupation; 2) details of travel; 3) legal capacity; 4) information on the owner or sender of the foreign currency; 5) information on the recipient of the same; and 6) information on the foreign currency, such as its type, amount, and purpose of the transport.
Under the bill, bulk foreign currency smuggling is committed when the amount being transported exceeds $200,000, and when the currency declaration requirement is evaded.
Similarly, the House passed on second reading HB 8320, which would standardize the retirement benefits of justices, judges, and judiciary officials conferred with judicial rank, salary, and privileges.
It proposes to provide the salary and the highest monthly aggregate of transportation, representation, and other allowances to any judiciary official conferred with the same rank as a justice or judge.
The bill provides that they should have rendered at least 15 years of service, unless they retire for having attained the age of 70 years or resign by reason of incapacity to discharge the duties of his/her office.
The judiciary officials would also be entitled to one educational scholarship for one child.
The House also approved on second reading HBs 8247, 8248, 8249, 8250, 8251, 8252, 8253, 8254, 8255, 8256, 8257, 8258, 8259, and 8260.
These bills seek to create additional courts in various parts of the country. Maricel V. Cruz
