By Myla H. Torres
BR Guiruela
Jessica Divina Fulgencio

In their desire for well-paying stints in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), foreign basketball players are violating immigration laws of the country.

Last February 18, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) fined two American imports, Lamont Strothers and Keith Hill, both from the San Miguel team for playing without the required working permits. An administrative fine of PhP10, 000 each was imposed.

The imports played against Selecta last February 14, a day before their special working permits were approved.

According to Immigration Officer Domingo Arbas, the delay of the approval of their permits was due to San Miguel's failure to submit on time the company's articles of incorporation and registration papers filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Similar cases of violating immigration laws has caused the BI to impose fines amounting to PhP20, 000 on FedEx imports Rhodrick Rhodes and Jermaine Walker last February 12.

The imports, Rhodes and Walker, failed to secure their work permits before playing against Pop Cola on February 10. The approval of their work permits were also delayed because of the company's failure to submit its income tax returns and audited financial statements to the bureau.

Basketball, being one of Filipino's favorite sports promises fame and fortune to aspiring players. Through the years, the country has seen more and more foreign imports and Filipino-American players looking for greener pastures in the Philippine basketball arena.