| GUST OF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session eration Iawr

2103 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

House Bill

Introduced by REP. ENRICO A. PINEDA and REP. MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine passport has a short expiry date by present international standards.

While passports issued by other states are valid up to 10 years, the one Filipinos use for
travelling is valid for five years.

Recent technology advances , however, have installed security features against forgery
and tampering in this very important document , foreclosing the need for a shorter validity
period as a defense against counterfeiting,

‘The Philippines should adopt the international benchmark of passport valid for a decade.
Doing so will bring relief to Filipinos who have to spend time and money in queuing up for
passport replacement,

Because passports can only be applied for in a few urban centers areas, rural residents
have no choice to travel long distances to secure one.

The same plight is experienced by Filipinos working overseas who have to go to distant
Philippine consular offices in their host country , or if there is no diplomatic presence there, in
the next,

Another option is to apply for passports in the Philippines during their vacation or leave
from work . But as this takes time, many end up squandering the short period which could have
been used for leisure and rekindling family ties in applying for a passport which may take a
month from booking an appointment to its actual release

If approved, this bill will spare millions of Filipinos of what has been universally
described as the agony of navigating through the bureaucratic maze in securing a travel
document form. This is one anti-red tape measure that brings comfort to the people.

ee

ENRICO A\ PINEDA ODYLON L. ROMERO
Representative, IPACMAN Partylist eprgséntative, PACMAN Partylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bin, 2103

Introduced by REP. ENRICO A, PINEDA and REP. MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO

AN ACT
LENGTHENING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE PHILIPPINE PASSPORT TO TEN
(10) YEARS, PROVIDING THE CONDITIONS WHEREBY THE VALIDITY PERIOD
MAY BE LIMITED, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1.Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8239 is amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 10.Validity. — Regular passports issued under this Act shall be valid for a
period of [five (5)]TEN (10) years: Provided, however, That the issuing authority
may limit the period of validity to less than [five (5)] TEN (10)years; whenever
[in the national economic interest or political stability of the country such
restriction is necessary: THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DEEMS THAT NATIONAL SECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY OR PUBLIC
HEALTH SO REQUIRES OR WHENEVER THE APPLICANTS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS APPEAR INADEQUATE TO ESTABLISH
FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND THE TRAVEL IS FOR A COMPELLING.
REASON AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT:Provided,
finally, That a new passport may be issued to replace one which validity has
expired, the old passport being returned to the holder after cancellation.

SEC. 2.Jmplementing Rules and Regulations—The Department of Foreign Affairs shall,
within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, revise and reform the implementing
guidelines of Republic Act No. 8239.

SEC. 3.Repealing Clause, — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4.Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,