Section 1December 30, 1996, Sec./Art. 1

Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7919 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 3 Coverage. – Upon effectivity of this Act, all aliens whose stay in the Philippines is otherwise illegal under existing laws, and who have entered the country prior to June 30, 1992 are hereby granted legal residence status upon compliance with the provisions of this Act, and shall not be prosecuted for crimes defined under Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known as the Immigration Act of 1940, which are inherent to illegal residence such as the absence of valid travel documents or visa: Provided, That in no case shall alien refugees in the Philippines be qualified to apply under this Act.

"The legal residence granted to aliens who availed of the benefits of Executive Order No. 324 is hereby affirmed and given full faith and credit.

"The bar to prosecution shall apply only to such crimes or felonies committed due to acts necessary or essential to maintain a false or fraudulent or illegal residence, such as falsification of marriage, birth or baptismal certificates or travel documents, visas or alien certificates of registration."