The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has allowed famous duo Air Supply to perform in the country again next month after it issued a special work permit (SWP).
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued an order granting the SWP in favor of Australians Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock.
The work permit allows foreigners, only for a short duration, to engage in gainful activity in the country. In the absence of an SWP, foreign concert artists, talents and musicians are prohibited from engaging in gainful activity and may be subjected to deportation proceedings.
Aside from the duo, Morente also issued an SWP to their backup performers, namely, Americans Derek Frank and Aaaron Mc Lain, Israeli Aviv Cohen and Dutchman Amir Efrat.
It was Steve O’Neal Productions, the concert organizer and promoter, which filed the application for SWP on behalf of the foreign performers.
The Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipinong Foundation, Inc., Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit and Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Pubishers, Inc. have reportedly endorsed the petition.
Morente said the SWP is valid for three months and that the applicants should not engage in other gainful activities while in the country or the said work permit will be revoked.
“This is without prejudice to the prosecution of the applicants of CA 613, or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, and other laws,” the BI chief added.
The concert organizers were also ordered to withhold and remit to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the taxes due on the income that the foreign entertainers will derive from the concerts. RAM
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