New BI Chief vows agency reforms

By TONY CHAVEZ

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday welcomed lawyer Joel Anthony M. Viado as its new Commissioner.

Viado, who was previously designated as the agency’s officer-in-charge last month, has been in the BI as a Deputy Commissioner since April 2023.

His appointment completes the three-member BI Board of Commissioners, alongside Deputy Commissioners Daniel Laogan and Aldwin Alegre.

As a lawyer with a deep understanding of immigration laws, Viado reiterated his support for the passage of a new immigration law to replace the country’s 84-year-old Philippine Immigration Act, which he described as outdated and an obstacle to the agency’s modernization efforts.

He noted that the new law would not only streamline immigration procedures but also strengthen border security and improve the governance of immigration policies.

"The Bureau is fully supportive of the President’s initiative to prioritize a new immigration law, which will enhance our operations and allow us to serve the public more effectively," Viado stated.

In addition to pushing for legislative reform, Viado stressed the importance of combating corruption within the Bureau through the automation of key processes. “We will take advantage of the aggressive thrust of the national government in terms of ICT,” said Viado.

He said that digital systems are a key priority under his leadership. He added that he will continue working with the Department of Justice in ensuring the improvement of the agency.

Viado announced that his office will undertake a comprehensive review of the BI’s existing policies and procedures to identify inefficiencies and remove redundancies.

Before his appointment, Viado was an accomplished lawyer who represented several multinational corporations involved in construction operations across Asia, the United States, and Europe. He also previously served in government, working at the House of Representatives and as a legal counsel under the Presidential Management Staff.

He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also earned his law degree. Viado was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999.