f 
. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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5 llPE 26 i31 :i3 
First Regular Session 
) 
~~ 
__ 
Introduced by SENATOR EDCARDO J. ANCARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A Philippine passport is an official document of identity and nationality 
issued to Filipinos intending to travel or sojourn in foreign countries. It gives the 
bearer the right to receive the protection and assistance of the diplomatic and 
consular offices of the Republic of the Philippines abroad. Without a passport, 
departure would be illegal and entry to other countries, difficult and impossible. 
Being a proclamation of Filipino citizenship, it is superior to all other official 
documents. As such, it is accorded the highest respect by its holder that to do 
damage to its integrity and validity is deemed a serious crime that is penalized 
accordingly. 
But like any document, a passport may be tampered with and its contents 
and its supporting documents spurious, forged or falsified. The Department of 
Foreign Affairs’ statistical data of “fake passport cases” recommended as look-out list 
for cancellation and prosecution enumerates these instances: a) proliferation of 
tampered / “baklas” / photo-substituted passports; b) assumed identity; c) declared 
lost / cancelled passport intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration; d) unclaimed / 
abandoned Passports at foreign embassies; e) Intercepted passports mailed to US; 0 
misrepresentation of civil status; g) discrepancy in date; h) submission of spurious / 
fake documents; i) fake immigration stamps; i) use of stolen passports; and j) double 
passports. 
With the continuing cases of offenses relating to the issuance, possession, 
use, suspension and revocation of passports, there is an insistent need to amend 
Republic Act No. 8239, or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996. 
These amendments are necessary 1) to simplify the passport documentation 
requirements and processes before the Office of Consular Affairs, DFA; 2) to add 
grounds for its amendment, suspension and revocation; 3) to rally for the issuance of 
passports using tamper proof and the latest data encryption technology, as far as 
practicable; and 4) to provide stiffer penalties against the perpetrators of the 
proliferation of “fake passports,” among others. 
For these, I urge my colleagues to consider the immediate passage of the bill. 
EDGARD 
24/47 d& 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
E5 
BPR 26 MI :(,3 
E mr 
S E N A T E  
S. B. NO. 
~ 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANCARA 
AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE ”PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996” 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
’ 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the 
“Philippine Passport Act of 7996” is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. The people’s constitutional right to travel is 
inviolable. Accordingly, the government has the duty to issue passport 
USING 
TAMPER 
PROOF 
AND 
LATEST 
DATA 
ENCRYPTION 
TECHNOLOGY AS MUCH AS PRACTICABLE or any travel document to any 
citizen of the Philippines or individual who complies with the requirement of 
this Act. The right to travel may be impaired only when national security, 
public safety, or public health requires. To enhance and protect the 
unimpaired exercise of this right, only minimum requirements for the 
application and issuance of passports and other travel documents shall be 
prescribed. Action on such application and the issuance shall be expedited.” 
SECTION. 2. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
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“SEC. 5. Requirements for the Issuance of Passport. No passport shall be 
issued to an applicant unless the Secretary or his duly authorized 
representative is satisfied that the applicant is a Filipino citizen who has 
complied with the following requirements: 
x
x
x
 
“[b) The birth certificate duly issued or authenticated by the Office of the 
Civil Registrar General: Provided, however, That if the birth of the 
applicant has not been registered yet, or if his birth certificate is 
destroyed, damaged, or not available due to other causes, he shall apply 
for delayed registration of his birth with the Office of the Civil Registrar 
General which shall issue to said applicant a certification of pending 
application for delayed registration of birth attaching thereto a copy of an 
accomplished certificate of live birth. Such certification and the 
accomplished certificate of live birth shall be sufficient to support an 
application for passport in addition to other papers which the Department 
may require from the applicant;]” 
B) THE APPLICANT’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN SECURITY PAPER ISSUED 
BY THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) OR A CERTIFICATE 
TRUE COPY OF THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE LOCAL 
CIVIL REGISTRAR AND DULY AUTHENTICATED BY THE NSO: 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF THE APPLICANT WAS BORN 
BEFORE 1950 OR HIS BIRTH HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED YET AND 
HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS DESTROYED, DAMAGED, OR NOT 
AVAILABLE DUE TO OTHER CAUSES, HE I SHE SHALL APPLY FOR 
DELAYED REGISTRATION OF HIS / HER BIRTH WITH THE LOCAL 
CIVIL REGISTRAR WHERE HE WAS BORN; PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT THIS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A JOINT AFFIDAVIT OF 
TWO (2) DISINTERESTED PERSONS OF AGE WHO HAVE PERSONAL 
KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPLICANT; 
“[c) In the absence of a birth Certificate, a baptismal certificate for those who 
are members of a Christian religious organization or similar or equivalent 
certificate issued by a non-Christian religious group, attesting to the 
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applicant’s having been admitted to such religious group or sect at an 
early age and where it is indicated that the applicant is a Filipino citizen, 
which should be accompanied by a joint affidavit by two (2) persons who 
have personal knowledge of the applicant and of such age as to credibly 
state the applicant’s date and place of birth, citizenship, and names of 
parents: Provided, That Filipinos who do not believe in any religion and 
whose parents for any reason failed to have the said applicant baptized 
shall be exempted, from the baptismal certificate requirement: Provided, 
further, That in lieu thereof, the applicant shall execute an affidavit to that 
effect duly corroborated by affidavit of at least two (2) persons of good 
reputation who personally know such fact;]” 
“C) IF THE APPLICANT WAS BORN IN OR AFTER 1950 AND HIS / HER 
BIRTH CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN DESTROYED, DAMAGED OR IS NOT 
AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR AND THE OFFICE OF 
THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL DUE TO OTHER CAUSES, HE / SHE 
SHALL BE REQUIRED TO FILE FOR LATE REGISTRATION OF BIRTH 
WITH THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR PROVIDED, THAT THIS 
PROVISION WILL NOT PREVENT LATE REGISTRANTS BORN BEFORE 
1950 FROM APPLYING FOR LATE REGISTRATION OF BIRTH; 
“Id) In case of a woman who i s  married, separated, divorced or widowed or 
whose marriage has been annulled or declared by court as void, a copy 
of the certificate of marriage, court decree of separation, divorce or 
annulment or certificate of death of the deceased spouse duly issued and 
authenticated by the Office of tile Civil Registrar General: Provided, That 
in case of a divorce decree, annulment or declaration of marriage as void, 
the woman applicant may revert to the use of her maiden name: 
Provided, further, That such divorce is recognized under existing laws of 
the Philippines; 
I’D) THE APPLICANT’S VOTER’S ID OR AFFIDAVIT DULY ISSUED BY THE 
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS IN THE LOCALITY WHERE THE 
APPLICANT IS A REGISTERED VOTER I F  THE APPLICANT IS ALREADY 
EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE; 
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authenticated by the Office of tile Civil Registrar General: Provided, That 
in case of a divorce decree, annulment or declaration of marriage as void, 
the woman applicant may revert to the use of her maiden name: 
Provided, further, That such divorce is recognized under existing laws of 
the Philippines; 
"D) THE APPLICANT'S VOTER'S ID OR AFFIDAVIT DULY ISSUED BY THE 
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS IN THE LOCALITY WHERE THE 
APPLICANT IS A REGISTERED VOTER IF THE APPLICANT IS ALREADY 
EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE; 
"[e) In the case of naturalized citizens, a certified copy of the naturalization 
certificate; or a certified naturalization certificate of husband or parent 
duly issued and authenticated by the Office of the Civil Registrar General 
if citizenship is claimed through naturalization of spouse or parent;] 
"E) A MARRIED WOMAN WHO OPTS TO ADOPT THE SURNAME OF 
HER HUSBAND MUST PRESENT AN AUTHENTICATED COPY OF HER 
MARRIAGE CONTRACT: PROVIDED, THAT A MARRIED WOMAN 
WHO IS WIDOWED, DIVORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 
26 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE 
ORDER NO. 227, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES OF 1988, OR WHOSE MARRIAGE IS ANNULLED OR 
DECLARED BY A COURT OF LAW AS VOID, AND WHO OPTS TO 
REVERT TO THE USE OF HER MAIDEN NAME MUST PRESENT THE 
AUTHENTICATED DEATH CERTIFICATE OF HER SPOUSE, OR AN 
AUTHENTICATED COPY OF THE DIVORCE DECREE OR COURT 
DECREE OF ANNULMENT; 
"[f) For an applicant who has not reached the age of majority, an affidavit of 
consent from a parent as indicated in the passport application if the minor 
is traveling with either parent, and a clearance from the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development, if the minor is traveling with a legal 
guardian or a person other than a parent;] 
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'IF) IN THE CASE OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS, A COPY OF THE 
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE, 
DULY REGISTERED BY LOCAL 
CIVIL REGISTRAR AND AUTHENTICATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE 
CIVILREGISTRAR GENERAL: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT 
IN CASE 
OF 
DERIVATIVE 
NATURALIZATION, 
THE 
APPLICANT 
SHALL 
BE 
REQUIRED 
TO PRESENT A COPY OF THE NATURALIZATION 
CERTIFICATE OF HIS PARENT OR SPOUSE DULY ISSUED AND 
AUTHENTICATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR 
GENERAL: 
"[g) If the applicant is an adopted person, the duly certified copy of court 
order of adoption, together with the original and amended birth 
certificate duly issued and authenticated by the Office of the Civil 
Registrar General shall be presented: Provided, That in case the adopted 
person is an infant or a minor or the applicant is for adoption by foreign 
parents, an authority from the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development shall be required: Provided; further, That the adopting 
foreign parents shall also submit a certificate from their embassy or 
consulate that they are qualified to adopt such infant or minor child;] 
"G) APPLICATIONS FILED BY MINOR PASSPORT APPLICANTS MAY BE 
PROCESSED ONLY UPON THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF EITHER 
PARENT: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF A PERSON OTHER THAN 
THE MINOR'S PARENTS FILES THE APPLICATION, A SPECIAL POWER 
OF ATTORNEY (SPA) DULY EXECUTED BY EITHER PARENT MUST BE 
PRESENTED FOR THIS PURPOSE; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
MINOR APPLICANTS TRAVELING WITH EITHER PARENT MUST 
PRESENT THE 
PASSPORT OF HIS TRAVELING COMPANION; 
PROVIDED, NNALLY, THAT IF HE I S  NOT TRAVELING WITH EITHER 
PARENT, AN AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND CONSENT FROM EITHER 
PARENT MUST BE SUBMITTED; 
"H) IF THE APPLICANT I S  AN ADOPTEE OF FOREIGN PARENTS UNDER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8043, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "INTER- 
COUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1995," THE CERTIFIED TRUE COPY 
OF A DECREE OF ABANDONMENT OF CHILD, THE 
DEATH 
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CERTIFICATE OF THE CHILD'S PARENTS, 
OR THE DEED OF 
VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT EXECUTED BY EITHER PARENT AFTER 
THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD SHAL.L BE PRESENTED: PROVIDED, THAT 
THE AUTHENTICATED BIRTH CERTIFICATE, 
THE 
PLACEMENT 
AUTHORITY AND THE FORMAL ENDORESEMENT OF THE CHILD TO 
THE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION BOARD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT MUST ALSO BE PRESENTED; 
"[(h)] (I) In case of discrepancy between the applicants name in the birth 
certificate and in any other PUBLIC OR private document[s], the former 
shall prevail over the latter unless by operation of law or through court 
order, the applicant is permitted to use A name other than what is 
officially recorded in the Civil Register; and 
"(j) If the applicant is a government OFFICIAL O R  employee, the travel 
authority issued by the head of department, agency or office [may] SHALL 
ONLY be required [only if said applicant] IF HE is applying for A 
DIPLOMATIC OR an official passport." 
SECTION. 3. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SEC. 6. Applicafion. The application [may] MUST be filed by ANY OF THE 
FOLLOW1 NC: 
a) The applicant himself or herself; or 
b) The parent or legal guardian on behalf of an applicant who is below the 
age of majority [.I, 
A SENIOR CITIZEN, OR A PERSON SUFFERING 
FROM ANY DISABILITY WHICH IMPAIRS HIS / HER MEANS OF 
COMMUNICATION; OR" 
"C) A TRAVEL O R  RECRUITMENT AGENCY DULY ACCREDITED WITH 
THE DEPARTMENT. 
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[“In case of first time applicants, the applicant must present himself / 
herself in person to prove that he or she is the same person and of the age 
claimed in the application form. In case of renewal the application may 
be filed by any licensed travel agency duly accredited by the Department 
of Foreign Affairs: Provided, That the agent shall be responsible for the 
authenticity or bona fide of the supporting documents being presented to 
meet the requirements for the application of passports.]” 
“IN CASE OF FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS, HE / SHE MUST PRESENT 
HIMSELF / HERSELF IN PERSON TO PROVE THAT HE / SHE I S  THE 
SAME PERSON AND OF THE AGE CLAIMED IN THE APPLICATION 
FORM. 
THIS 
REQUIREMENT 
MAY BE 
WAIVED WHEN 
THE 
APPLICANT I S  NOT MORE THAN EIGHT (8) YEARS OLD, OR AT 
LEAST SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD, OR MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY 
IN CAPACITATED. 
“IN CASE OF A PASSPORT APPLICATION FILED BY A RECRUITMENT 
OR TRAVEL AGENCY DULY ACCREDITED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE AGENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 
AUTHENTICITY OF THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SECURED AND 
PRESENTED BY THE AGENT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 
APPLICATION OF PASSPORTS. 
“THE 
DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO 
REQUIRE 
ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS AS 
MAY BE 
SPECIFIED IN THE 
SUPPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FORMULATED TO 
ENFORCE THIS LAW.” 
~ 
SECTION. 4. Section 7, subsections (a) and (b) of the same Act is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 7. Types of Passports. The Secretary or the authorized representative 
or consular officer may issue the following types of passports: 
~ 
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“a) Diplomatic [passport] PASSPORTS [for persons imbued] SHALL BE 
ISSUED TO PERSONS with diplomatic status or are on A diplomatic 
mission such as: 
“1 .The President and former Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines; 
“2. The Vice-president and former Vice-presidents of the Republic of the 
Philippines; 
“3. The INCUMBENT Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives; 
“4. The INCUMBENT Chief Justice of the Supreme Court AND 
INCUMBENT ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT 
AND THE PRESIDING JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS; 
“5. The [Cabinet Secretaries,] 
INCUMBENT SECRETARY, [and the] 
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of the Department of 
Foreign Affairs; 
“6. INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS; 
“7. [6. Ambassadors, Foreign Service Officers of all ranks in the career 
diplomatic service. Attaches, and members of their families] THE 
INCUMBENT SECRETARIES OF ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF 
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH; 
“8 [7. Members of the Congress when on official mission abroad or as 
delegates 
to 
international 
conferences] 
AMBASSADORS 
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES; 
“9. [8. The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and delegates to 
international or regional conferences when on official mission or 
accorded full powers by the President; and] CHIEFS OF MISSION, 
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS OF ALL RANKS IN THE CAREER 
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DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, INCLUDING DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT 
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ATTACHES AND DESIGNATED ATTACHES 
FROM ATTACHED AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT; 
“IO. [9. Spouses and unmarried minor children of the above-mentioned 
officials when accompanying or following to join them in an official 
mission abroad.] FORMAR AMBASSADORS EXTRAORDINARY AND 
PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
AND FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS WITH THE RANK OF 
CHIEFS OF MISSION; 
“11. THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR OF THE BANGKO S€NTRAL N G  
PILIPINAS; 
“12. OFFICIAL DELEGATES TO INTERNATIONAL OR REGIONAL 
CONFERENCES ACCORDED FULL POWERS BY THE PRESIDENT; 
AND 
“13. SPOUSE AND UNMARRIED MINOR CHILDREN OF THE ABOVE- 
MENTIONED 
OFFICIALS, 
WHEN 
ACCOMPANYING 
OR 
FOLLOWING THEM IN AN OFFICIAL MISSION ABROAD. 
“The President of the Philippines and the Secretary of the Department 
of Foreign Affairs may grant diplomatic passports to officials and 
persons other: than those enumerated herein who are on official 
mission abroad AND ARE GRANTED FULL POWERS BY THE 
PRESIDENT. 
”b) Official [Passport] PASSPORTS [to be] SHALL BE issued to all government 
officials and employees on official trip abroad but who are not on a 
diplomatic mission [or delegates to international or regional conferences] 
or not have been accorded diplomatic status such as: 
“1. INCUMBENT Undersecretaries [and], Assistant Secretaries of the 
Cabinet other than the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Associate 
Justices OF THE COURT OF APPEALS and other members of the 
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Judiciary [,] [members of the Congress] and all other government 
officials and employees traveling on [official business and] official 
time; 
"2. [Staff officers and employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs 
assigned to diplomatic and consular posts and officers and 
representatives of other government departments and agencies 
assigned abroad] PAST SENATE PRESIDENTS AND SPEAKERS OF 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; 
"3. [Persons in the domestic service and household members of officials 
assigned to diplomatic or consular posts] RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICES 
AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT: 
"4. [Spouses and unmarried minor children of the officials mentioned 
above when accompanying or following to join them.] STAFF 
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS ASSIGNED TO DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR POSTS AND 
OFFICES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES ASSIGNED ABROAD; " 
"5. 
PERSONS IN THE DOMESTIC SERVICE AND HOUSEHOLD 
MEMBERS OF OFFICIALS ASSIGNED TO DIPLOMATIC OR 
CONSULAR POSTS NOT EXCEEDING TWO (2); AND 
"6. 
SPOUSE AND MINOR CHILDREN OF THE 
INCUMBENT 
OFFICIALS MENTIONED ABOVE, WHEN ACCOMPANYING O R  
FOLLOWING TO JOIN THEM." 
SECTION. 5. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"SECTION. 8. Grounds for Denial, Cancellation or Restrictions. - The 
application for a passport may be denied, cancelled or restricted only on the 
, 
following grounds: 
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"a) Denial of Passport 
"1. [On orders of the court, after due notice and hearing, to hold the 
departure of an applicant because of a pending criminal case] FAILURE 
OF THE APPLICANT TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS 
TO SUPPORT THE PASSPORT APPLICATION; 
' 
"2. When so requested by the PARENT [natural] or legal guardian, if the 
applicant is a minor; 
"3. [When the applicant has been found to 'have violated any of the 
provisions of this Act] ON ORDERS OF THE COURT, AFTER DUE 
NOTICE AND HEARING, TO WITHHOLD THE PROCESSING OF A 
PASSPORT; 
"4. WHEN THE APPLICANT IS A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE; 
"5. WHEN THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED BY FINAL 
JUDGMENT OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE; 
"6. [Such other disqualification under existing laws.] VIOLATION BY THE 
APPLICANT OF ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
8239, AS AMENDED; 
"7. UPON LAWFUL ORDER OF THE SECRETARY WHEN HE DEEMS IT 
NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC 
SAFETY; 
"8. CANCELLATION OF APPLlCANT,'S PASSPORT UNDER SECTION 8 (b) 
HEREOF; AND 
"9. SUCH OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS UNDER EXISTING LAWS. 
"b) Cancellation OF PASSPORT 
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"1. When the holder is a fugitive from justice; 
"2. When the holder [has] HAD been convicted BY FINAL JUDGMENT of a 
criminal offense: Provided, That [the passport may be restored after 
service of sentence] HE BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A NEW 
PASSPORT AFTER A GRANT OF PROBATION, SERVICE OF SENTENCE, 
GRANT OF CONDITIONAL OR ABSOLUTE PARDON, OR ISSUANCE 
OF AN AMNESTY; [or] 
"3. [When a passport was acquired fraudulently or, tampered with.] UPON 
FINDING 
BY 
THE 
SECRETARY 
OR 
H I S  
AUTHORIZED 
REPRESENTATIVE 
OR 
CONSULAR 
OFFICER 
OR 
UPON 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE BUREAU OF 
IMMIGRATION AND DEPORTATION THAT A PASSPORT HAS BEEN 
ACQUIRED THROUGH FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATION O R  HAS 
BEEN 
TAMPERED WITH SUBSEQUENT 
TO ITS RELEASE 
OR 
ISSUANCE; OR 
"4. UPON LAWFUL ORDER OF THE SECRETARY WHEN HE DEEMS IT 
NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC 
SAFETY. 
"c) ISSUANCE OF Restricted PASSPORTS 
"1. When the country of destination is in a state of political instability AND 
[which] could pose a danger to the Filipino traveler; 
"2. When [diplomatic ties have been fractured or severed] THE COUNTRY 
OF DESTINATION HAD SEVERED DIPLOMATIC TIES with the 
Phi I i ppi nes; 
"3, When the country of destination is subject to travel restriction by 
government policy, enforcement [of] action by the United Nations, or IS 
in a state of war [.I;" 
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.”4. WHEN TRAVEL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY A COMPETENT COURT 
OR 
BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO A SPECIFIED 
DESTINATION ONLY; AND 
“5. WHEN THE APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS APPEAR 
INADEQUATE TO ESTABLISH FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND THE 
TRAVEL IS FOR URGENT MEDICAL REASONS AS CERTIFIED BY A 
PHYSICIAN, OR TO ATTEND TO A SERIOUSLY ILL IMMEDIATE 
FAMILY 
MEMBER 
WITHIN 
THE 
SECOND 
DEGREE 
OF 
CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY.” 
~ 
SECTION. 6. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
, 
, 
“SEC. I O .  Validity. - Regular passports issued under this Act shall be valid for 
a period of five (5) years: Provided, however, That the issuing authority may 
limit the period of validity to less than five (5) years whenever [in the 
national economic interest or political stability of the country such restriction 
is necessary] THE SECRETARY DEEMS THAT NATIONAL SECURITY, 
PUBLIC SAFETY O R  PUBLIC HEALTH SO REQUIRES OR WHENEVER THE 
APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS APPEAR INADEQUATE TO 
ESTABLISH FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND THE TRAVEL IS 
FOR A 
COMPELLING REASON AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT: 
27 
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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 
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cancellation].” 
“THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE TEN (10)YEAR VALIDITY PASSPORTS 
TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, AS AMENDED: 
PROVIDED, THAT NO SUCH PASSPORT SHALL BE ISSUED TO ANY 
INDIVIDUAL UNDER TWENTY (20) YEARS OLD. 
35 
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“DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO 
THE DEPARTMENT FOR REVALIDATION BEFORE EACH DEPARTURE OF 
THE HOLDER.” 
SECTION. 7. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“SEC. 14. Amendments. - A passport may be amended at the request of the 
holder for any [lawful purpose, but such amendment should be approved by 
the Secretary or his duly authorized diplomatic or consular officers.] OF THE 
FOLLOWING PURPOSES: 
“A) AMENDMENTS OF A WOMAN’S NAME DUE TO MARRIAGE; OR 
“B) AMENDMENT OF A WOMAN’S NAME DUE TO DEATH OF SPOUSE, 
ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE OR ISSUANCE OF A DIVORCE DECREE 
GRANTED BY A FOREIGN COURT CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE 26 
OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE 
ORDER NO. 227, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES OF 1988.” 
I 
“AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE MADE DUE TO ERROR IN SCRIPTING 
OR DISCREPANCY IN THE PERSONAL DATA OF THE HOLDER. 
“C) AMENDMENTS BY ORDER OF A COMPETENT COURT AND/OR 
PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9048. 
[“Diplomatic and official passports shall be submitted for revalidation 
before each departure of the holder.]” 
~ 
SECTION. 8. Section 16 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
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"SEC. 16. Fees. - Reasonable fees shall be collected for the processing, 
issuance, [extension] EXTENSIONS, amendment or replacement of a lost 
passport and the issuance of a Travel Document as may be determined by 
the Department: Provided, however, That any fee shall not be increased 
more than once every three (3) years." 
~ 
SECTION. 9. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
foiiows: 
"SEC. 17. Passport Revolving Fund. - The Department may charge a 
REASONABLE service fee [of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Pesos (P250)l 
for such service rendered to applicants relating to the processing and 
issuance of passports requiring special consideration, waiver or issuance 
beyond regular office hours. The service fees received by the Department 
under this section shall constitute a revolving fund to be called the "Passport 
~ 
Revolving Fund" which may be utilized by the Department for the 
~ 
improvement of its passporting and consular services and other Department 
I 
services except travel transportation allowances and expenses. 
~ 
I 
"The setting up, use and disbursement of funds shall be subject to review, 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit 
and will be subject to an annual 'review by Congress, but the Secretary will 
submit a report on the, disbursement of the fund every six (6) months to both 
the Senate arid the House Committees on Foreign Relations. 
' 
SECTION. IO. Section 19, subsections (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of the same Act 
are hereby amended and a new subsection to be designated as subsection (R is 
hereby added to read as follows: 
I 
"SEC. 19. Offenses and Penalties. - A passport, being a proclamation of [the] 
citizenship of a Filipino, [is a document that] is superior to all other [official] 
documents [.I, [As such], AND AS SUCH, [it] should be accorded the highest 
respect by its holder [that to do damage to its integrity and validity is a 
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~ 
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serious crime that should be penalized accordingly']. 
ANY ACT 
PREJUDICAL TO ITS INTEGRITY IS A GRAVE CRIME OF SECURITY 
AGAINST THE STATE AND SHOULD BE PENALIZED ACCORDINGLY. 
a.) Offenses Relating to Issuance [s]: Penalties. - Any person who 
"1. Acting or claiming to act in any capacity or office under the Republic of 
the 
Philippines, 
without 
lawful 
authority, 
ACCEPT 
PASSPORT 
APPLICATIONS, grants, issues or verifies any passport or travel 
document to any or for any person whomsoever, OR IS CAUGHT 
SELLING IN WHATEVER CAPACITY PASSPORT APPLICATION FORMS, 
OR LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORTS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS shall 
be punished by a fine of not less than [Fifteen Thousand pesos (PI 5,OOO)l 
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,OOO) 
nor more than [Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P75,OOO) 
and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) YEARS 
AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [six (6) TWELVE (12) years; or 
"2. Being a diplomatic or consular official authorized to grant, issue, amend 
or verify passports, knowingly and willfully grants, issues, amends or 
verifies any such passport to any or for any person not owing allegiance 
to the Republic of the Philippines, whether citizen or not, shall be 
punished by a fine of not less than [Fifteen thousand pesos (P 15,000)] 
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,OOO) nor more than [Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P75,OOO) 
and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) YEARS 
AND ONE (1) DAY but not more than [six (6)) TWELVE (12) years and 
upon 
conviction, 
be 
PERPETUALLY 
disqualified 
from 
holding 
[appointive] public office; AND 
"3. Being a diplomatic or consular officer knowingly and willfully grants and 
issues to, amends or certifies to the authenticity of any passport or travel 
document for any person not entitled thereto, or knowingly and willfully 
issues more than one passport to any person except as provided for in this 
Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than [Fifteen thousand pesos (P 
15,000)] TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,OOO) nor more than 
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,! 
[Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
(P75,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months) SIX 
(6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [six (6) TWELVE (12) years 
and upon conviction, be PERPETUALLY disqualified from holding 
[appointive) public office. 
"b) Offenses Relating to False Statements: Penalties. - Any person who 
willfully and knowingly: 
"1. Makes any false statement in any application for passport with the intent 
to induce or secure the issuance of a passport under the authority of the 
Philippine Government, either for his own use or the use of another, 
contrary to this Act or rules and regulations prescribed pursuant hereto 
shall be punished by a fine of not less than [Fifteen thousand pesos (P 
15,000)] TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,OOO) nor more than 
[Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
(P75,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [three (3) years] SIX (6) 
YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [ten (IO)] TWELVE (12) years; 
or 
"2. Uses or attempts to use any passport which was secured in any way by 
reason of any false statements, shall be punished by a fine of not less than 
[Fifteen thousand pesos (P 15,000)] TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
(P25,OOO) nor more than [Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE 
THOUSAND PESOS (P75,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [three 
(3) years] SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY, but not more than [ten (10) 
TWELVE (12) years [; or]. AND 
"3. Travel and recruitment agencies whose OFFICERS, agents, liaison officers 
or representatives are convicted of offenses relating to false statements 
shall in addition to the fines and penalties abovementioned have their 
license revoked with all deposits, escrow accounts or guarantee funds 
deposited or made as a requirement of their business forfeited in favor of 
the government [without prejudice to the officials of the branch office or 
of the agency being charged as accessories to the offense and upon 
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conviction barred from engaging in the travel or recruitment agency 
business]. IN THE EVENT THAT AN AGENT, LIAISON OFFICER OR 
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY IS 
CONVICTED, HE SHALL BE BARRED FROM ENGAGING IN THE 
TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY BUSINESS. 
"c) Offenses Relating to Forgery: Penalties. - Any person who: 
"1. Falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates or alters any passport [or], 
travel document, DEPARTMENT STAMPS, or any supporting document 
for a passport application, with the intent of using the same shall be 
punished by a fine of not less than [Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000)] 
SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P75,OOO) nor more than [One 
Hundred 
Fifty 
thousand 
pesos 
(PI 50,000)] 
TWO 
HUNDRED 
THOUSAND PESOS (P200,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
years nor more than fifteen (1 5) years; or 
x x x  
"d) Offenses Relating to Improper Use: Penakies. - Any person who willfully 
and knowingly: 
"1. Uses or attempts to use any passport issued or designed for the use of 
another or any supporting documents for a passport application which 
belongs to another; or 
"2. Uses or attempts to use any passport or supporting document in violation 
of the conditions or restrictions therein contained, or of the rules 
prescribed pursuant thereto; or 
"3. Furnishes, disposes or delivers a passport to any person, [for use by 
another or other than the, person for whose use it was originally issued or 
designated; or] OTHER THAN THAT IN WHOSE NAME AND FOR 
WHOSE USE IT WAS ISSUED, DESIGNATED OR INTENDED, EXCEPT 
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RELEASED TO HIS PARENT, GUARDIAN OR IMMEDIATE RELATIVE: 
PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND FOR 
HUMANITARIAN REASONS, 
THE 
HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF 
CONSULAR AFFAIRS OR THE HEAD OF THE CONSULAR SECTION 
OF ANY EMBASSY OR THE CONSUL GENERAL OF A CONSULATE 
MAY, UPON HIS DISCRETION, RELEASE THE PASSPORT TO A THIRD 
PARTY UPON THE SUBMISSION OF A WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION 
FROM THE APPLICANT; OR 
“4. Defaces or destroys a Philippine passport, shall be punished by a fine of 
not less than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO) nor more than One hundred 
and fifty thousand pesos (P150,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than 
six (6) years nor more than fifteen (1 5) years. 
“TRAVEL 
AND 
RECRUITMENT 
AGENCIES 
WHOSE 
OFFICERS, 
AGENTS, LIAISON OFFICERS OR REPRESENTATIVES ARE CONVICTED 
OF OFFENSES RELATING TO IMPROPER USE SHALL BE BARRED 
FROM ENGAGING IN THE TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY 
BUSINESS. 
“e) Offenses Relating‘to Multiple Possession: Penalties.- No person or 
individual may hold more than one valid passport, except as provided for 
in Section 7 hereof, and any individual who possesses more than one 
unexpired passport shall, for every unexpired passport found in his 
possession, be punished by a fine of not less [Fifteen thousand pesos 
(P15,000)] TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,OOO) nor more than 
[Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000)] SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
(P75,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months] SIX 
(6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY [but not] NOR more than [six (6)] TWELVE 
(12) years: Provided, That the maximum fine and imprisonment shall be 
imposed by the court if he attempts to use or actually uses an unexpired 
passport which is not in his name. 
“In case any of the offenses prohibited in this Act constitutes a violation 
of the Revised Penal Code and the penalty imposed in said Code is 
heavier than that provided in this Act, the latter shall be imposed. 
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“F) OFFENSES RELATING TO FORGERY OF VISAS, PERMITS AND OTHER 
ENTRY DOCUMENTS: PENALTIES. -ANY PERSON WHO: 
“1. KNOWINGLY FORGES, COUNTERFEITS, ALTERS, OR FALSELY MAKES 
ANY IMMIGRANT OR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA, PERMIT, BORDER 
CROSSING CARD, ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD (ARC), OR OTHER 
DOCUMENT PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE OR REGULATION FOR ENTRY 
INTO OR AS EVIDENCE OF AUTHORIZED STAY OR EMPLOYMENT IN 
THE PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, O R  USES, ATTEMPTS TO USE, 
POSSESSES, OBTAINS, ACCEPTS, OR RECEIVES ANY SUCH VISA, 
PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING CARD, ALIEN REGISTRATION RECEIPT 
CARD, 
OR OTHER DOCUMENT PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE OR 
REGULATION FOR ENTRY INTO OR AS EVIDENCE OF AUTHORIZED 
STAY OR EMPLOYMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, 
KNOWING IT TO BE FORGED, COUNTERFEITED, ALTERED, OR 
FALSELY MADE, OR TO HAVE BEEN PROCURED BY MEANS OF ANY 
FALSE CLAIM 
OR STATEMENT, OR TO HASVE 
BEEN OTHERWISE 
PROCURED BY FRAUD OR UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED: PROVIDED, 
THAT THE USE OF FORGED, COUNTERFEITED, ALTERED, 
OR 
FALSELY MADE VISA, PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING CARD, ALIEN 
REGISTRATION CARD, OR OTHER ENTRY DOCUMENT SHALL BE 
PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF KNOWLEDGE; OR 
“2. EXCEPT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS 
O R  
OTHER 
APPROPRIATE 
OFFICES, 
KNOWINGLY 
POSSESSES ANY BLANK PERMIT, OR ENGRAVES, SELLS, BRINGS 
INTO THE PHILIPPINES, OR HAS IN HIS CONTROL OR POSSESSION 
IN ANY PLATE OR IN THE LIKENESS OF A PLATE DESIGNED FOR THE 
PRINTING OF PERMITS, OR MAKES ANY PRINT, PHOTOGRAPH, OR 
IMPRESSION 
IN THE 
LIKENESS OF 
ANY 
IMMIGRANT 
OR 
NONIMMIGRANT VISA, PERMIT OR OTHER DOCUMENT REQUIRED 
FOR ENTRY INTO THE PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, OR HAS IN HIS 
POSSESSION A DISTINCTIVE PAPER WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY 
THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR THE PRINTING OF 
SUCH VISAS, PERMITS, OR DOCUMENTS SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A 
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POSSESSION A DISTINCTIVE PAPER WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY 
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THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR THE PRINTING OF 
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SUCH VISAS, PERMITS, OR DOCUMENTS SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A 
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FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND 
PESOS 
5 
(P25,OOO) 
NOR MORE THAN SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
6 
(P75,OOO) AND IMPRtSONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN THREE (3) 
7 
YEARS, BUT NOT MORE THAN TEN (10) YEARS: PROVIDED, THAT 
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THE PERSON WHO FORGES, COUNTERFEITS, ALTERS OR FALSELY 
9 
MAKES ANY IMMIGRANT OR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA, PERMIT, 
BORDER CROSSING CARD, ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD, OR OTHER 
ENTRY DOCUMENT SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OF NOT LESS 
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THAN SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P75,OOO) 
NOR MORE 
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THAN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND 
PESOS (P200,OOO) 
AND 
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IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) YEARS NOR MORE 
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THAN FIFTEEN (15) YEARS FOR EACH VISA OR ENTRY DOCUMENT." 
SECTION. 11. Section 20 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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"SEC. 20. Suspension / REVOCATlON of Accreditation. - [Any duly 
accredited travel or recruitment agent or agency which violates the 
prescription on application for passport under Section 6 hereof shall have 
such accreditation suspended without prejudice to civil, criminal 'of 
administrative sanctions including revocation of 'its license to operate.] 
DULY ACCREDITED TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES ARE 
ALLOWED THE PRIVILEGE TO TRANSACT BUSINESS, WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT O N  THE BASIS OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE. FOR THE 
EXERCISE OF THIS PRIVILEGE, TRAVEL AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES, 
SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SECURE ACCREDITATION FROM THE 
DEPARTMENT. 
"ANY TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY WHICH VIOLATES ANY 
PROVISION OF THIS ACT 
SHALL 
HAVE 
ITS ACCREDITATION 
SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE OF 
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OR CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE AGENCY, ITS OFFICERS, 
AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES. 
“The [mere] submission of spurious, forged or falsified documents supporting 
a passport application by any duly accredited travel or recruitment agency 
shall be prima facie evidence that the said travel or recruitment agency is the 
author of such forgery or falsification: PROVIDED, THAT THE SPURIOUS, 
FORGED OR FALSIFIED DOCUMENT SUBMITTED IS SECURED BY THE 
TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY IN BEHALF OF ITS CLIENT.” 
SECTION. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, 
rules and regulations deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
reiealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this act is declared 
unbonstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
SECTION. 14. Effecfivify Clause - This Act shall take effect immediately 
following its complete and full publication in the Official Gazette 
newspaper of general circulation. 
or in a 
Approved, 
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