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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINE§ 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to amend RA 8239, otherwise known as the “Philippine Passport 
Act of 1996” to give life to the Constitutional right to travel guaranteed under Article Ill, 
Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution which provides in part “Neither shall the right to 
travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public 
health, as may be provided by law.” 
To safeguard the right to travel, the state has the obligation to preserve and 
maintain the integrity of a passport as a travel document. Cases of stolen blank 
passport forms and fake documentary evidences presented for the issuance of a 
passport persist, perpetuated presented by a criminal syndicates that have mastered 
the art of forgery and/or who are in cahoots with corrupt government officials by profit 
instead of upholding the integrity of public service for the public good. 
This bill seeks to expand the coverage of punishable acts and the 
corresponding penalties related to passport forgery. It also aims to institute the 
safeguards on the issuance and amendment of diplomatic and restricted passports 
thus giving back the dignity and respect that a passport as a travel document 
deserves. 
In particular, this proposed measure. 
1. emphasizes that a passport is a document superior to all other official 
documents, thus any act prejudicial to its integrity is a grave crime against 
the state to be penalized accordingly; 
2. expands the list of punishable acts such as accepting applications without 
lawful authority] selling application forms or lost or stolen passports to 
facilitate their processing while at the same time also ensuring their 
integrity; 
3. further rationalizes the requirements for the issuance of passports to 
facilitate their processing while at the same time also ensuring their 
integrity; 
4. vest the secretary of Foreign Affairs with the discretion, after due notice 
and hearing, to deny issuance or cancel the same in the interest of national 
security and public interest; 


5. increases the penalty of passport-related offenses from eighteen (I 
8) 
months-six (6) years to six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
SERGIO OSMENA I I I  
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T  
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
AN ACT 
TO FURTHER PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF A PASSPORT, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996”, ANb FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8239 is hereby amended to 
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read as follows: 
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“SEC. 5. Requirements for the issuance of Passport. - No 
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passport shall be issued to an applicant unless the Secretary or his duly 
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authorized representative is satisfied that the applicant is a Filipino citizen 
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who has complied with the following requirements: 
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“a. A duly accomplished application form and photographs of such 
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number, size and style as may be prescribed by the 
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Department; 
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“b. 
The APPLICANT’S 
birth 
certificate 
duly 
[issued or] 
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1s 
IG 
authenticated by the Office of the Civil Registrar General OR 
ITS LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR: Provided, [however] That if 
[the birth ofl the applicant [has not been registered yet,] WAS 
BORN BEFORE 1950 [or ifl AND his birth certificate [is] HAS 
BEEN destroyed, damaged, or IS not available due to other 
causes, [he shall apply for delayed registration of his birth with 
. 


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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] HE 
SHALL PRESENT A BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY 
A CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION OR SIMILAR OR 
EQUIVALENT CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A NON-CHRISTIAN 
RELIGIOUS GROUP, ATTESTING TO THE APPLICANT 
HAVING BEEN ADMITTED TO SUCH RELIGIOUS GROUP 
OR SECT AT AN EARLY AGE WHERE IT IS INDICATED 
THAT THE APPLICANT IS A FILIPINO CITIZEN AND 
ACCOMPANIED WITH A JOINT AFFIDAVIT BY TWO 
PERSONS WHO HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE 
APPLICANT AND OF SUCH AGE AS TO CREDIBLY STATE 
THE 
APPLICANT’S 
DATE AND 
PLACE 
OF 
BIRTH, 
DlTlZENSHlP AND NAME OF PARENTS; PROVIDED, 
FURTHER, THAT FILIPINOS WHO DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO 
ANY RELIGION AND WHOSE PARENTS FO(R ANY REASON 
FAILED TO HAVE THE APPLICANT BAPTIZED SHALL BE 
EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PRESENT A 
BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE PRESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN 
LIEU THEREOF, THE APPLICANT SHALL EXECUTE AN 
AFFIDAVIT TO THAT EFFECT DULY CORROBORATED BY 
THE AFIDAVIT OF AT LEAST TWO PERSONS OF GOOD 
REPUTATION WHO PERSONALLY KNOW SUCH FACT; 
PROVIDED, FURTH€R, THAT, IF THE APPLICANT WAS 


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BORN IN OR AFTER 1950 AND HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE 
HAS 
BEEN 
DESTROYED, 
DAMAGED 
OR 
IS 
NOT 
AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR 
GENERAL OR THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR DUE TO 
OTHER CAUSES, HE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO FILE A 
DELAYED REGISTRATION OF BIRTH WITH THE LOCAL 
CIVIL REGISTRAR; PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THIS 
PROVISION SHALL NOT PREVENT LATE REGISTRANTS 
BORH BEFORE 1950 FROM APPLYING FOR A DELAYED 
REGISTRATION OF BIRTH. 
“[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 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) THE APPLICANTS VOTERS IDENTIFICATION R AFFIDAVIT 
DULY ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS IN 


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THE 
LOCALITY 
WHERE 
THE 
APPLICANT 
IS 
A 
REGISTERED VOTER IF THE APPLICANT IS AT LEAST 
EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE; 
“d) In case of a MARRIED woman who [is] OPTS TO ADOPT THE 
SURNAME OF HER HUSBAND, AN AUTHENTICATED COPY 
OF HER MARRIAGE CONTRACT: PROVIDED, THAT 
A 
married[,] WOMAN WHO IS [separated, divorced or] widowed 
or 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 has been annulled or declared by ANY court 
OF LAW as void AND WHO OPTS TO REVERT TO THE USE 
OF HER MAIDEN NAME, [a copy of the certificate of marriage, 
court decree of separation, divorce or annulment or certificate 
of] 
SHALL 
PRESENT 
AN 
AUTHENTICATED 
death 
CERTIFICATE of [the deceased] HER spouse, [duly issued 
and authenticated by the Office of the Civil Registrar General: 
Provided, That in case of {a] OR AN AUTHENTICATED COPY 
OF THE divorce decree[,] or court decree of 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] AS THE CASE MAY BE; 
“e) In the case of naturalized citizens, a [certified] copy of the 
naturalization 
certificate 
DULY 
ISSUED 
AND 
AUTHENTICATED 
BY 
THE 
OFFICE 
OF 
THE 
CIVIL 
REGISTRAR GENRAL; PROVIDED, THAT, IN CASE OF 
DERIVATIVE NATURALIZATION, THE APPLICANT SHALL 


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BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT A COPY [or a certified] OF THE 
naturalization certificate of HIS [husband or] parent OR 
SPOUSE duly issued and authenticated by the Office of the 
Civil Registrar General [if citizenship is claimed through 
naturalization of spouse or parent]; 
“9 For [an] MINOR applicants [who has not reached the age of 
majority, an affidavit of consent from a parent as indicated in 
the passport application] PERSONAL APPERANCE OF 
EITHER PARENT SHALL BE REQUIRED: PROVIDED, THAT, 
IF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE MINOR’S PARENT FILES 
THE APPLICATION, A SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY 
DULY EXECUTED BY 
EITHER PARENT SHALL 
BE 
PRESENTED FOR THIS PURPOSE; PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT [if the] minor PASSPORT APPLICANTS [is] travelling 
with either parent[,] SHALL PRESENT THE PASSPORT OF 
HIS TRAVELLING COMPANION; PROVIDED, FINALLY, 
THAT, [and a clearance from the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development,] if [the minor] HE is NOT travelling with [a 
legal guardian or a person other than a] EITHER parent, AN 
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND CONSENT FROM EITHER 
’ 
PARENT SHALL BE SUBMITTED; 
“g) if the applicant is [an adopted person] FOR ADOPTION BY 
FOREIGN PARENTS UNDER R.A. NO. 8043, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE “INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 
1995”, the [duly] certified TRUE copy of THE court [order of 
adoption] DECREE OF ABANDONMENT OF CHILD, DEATH 
CERTIFICATE OF THE CHILD’S PARENT, OR THE DEED OF 
VOLUNTARY 
COMMITMENT 
EXECUTED 
BY 
EITHER 
PARENT AFTER BIRTH OF THE CHILD: PROVIDED, THAT 


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[together 
with 
the 
original 
and 
amended] 
THE 
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AUTHENTICATED 
birth 
OR 
FOUNDING 
certificate[s], 
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PLACEMENT 
AUTHORITY 
AND 
THE 
FORMAL 
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. 
ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHILD TO THE INTER-COUNTRY 
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ADOPTION BOARD [duly issued and authenticated by the 
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Office of the Civil Registrar General shall be presented: 
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Provided, That in case the adopted person is an infant or a 
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minor or the applicant is for adoption by foreign parents, and 
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authority from] OF the Department of Social Welfare and 
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Develop men t [ s ha I I be req u ired : ] ARE PRES E NTE D [Provided, 
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further, That the adopting foreign parents shall also submit a 
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certificate from their embassy or consulate that they are 
qualified to adopt such infant or minor child]; AND 
“[h) In case of discrepancy between the applicant’s name in the 
birth certificate and in any other private documents, the former 
shall prevail over the latter unless by operation of law or 
through court order, the applicant is permitted to use name 
other than what is officially recorded in the Civil Register; and] 
“[i)] H) If the applicant is a government OFFICIAL OR employee, 
[the] A travel authority [issued by the head of department, 
agency or office may be] FROM THE APPROPRIATE HEADS 
OF AGENCIES SHALL BE required [only] if [said applicant] HE 
is applying for A DIPLOMATIC AND/OR [an] official passport.” 
SEC. 2. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 6. Application. - The application [may] SHALL be filed by 
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: 
“a) The applicant himself or herself [; or] PROVIDED, THAT, IF 
THE PERSON IS APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT FOR THE 
FIRST TIME, HE OR SHE SHALL PRESENT HIMSELF OR 


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HERSELF IN PERSON TO PROVE THAT HE OR SHE IS THE 
SAME PERSON AND OF THE AGE CLAIMED IN THE 
APPLICATION FORM; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THIS 
REQUIREMENT MAY BE WAIVED WHEN THE APLICANT IS 
NOT MORE THAN EIGHT (8) YEARS OF AGE, OR AT LEAST 
SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD, OR MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY 
. 
INCAPACITATED; OR 
'lb) The parent or legal guardian on behalf of an applicant who is 
below the age of majority [.I OR A SENIOR CITIZEN AT 
LEAST SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD, OR VERBALLY AND 
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED; OR 
"[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 
requirement for the application of passports.] 
"C) A LICENSED TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY DULY 
ACCREDITED 
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS: PROVIDED, THAT THE AGENT SHALL BE 
RESPONSIBLE 
FOR 
THE 
AUTHENTICITY 
OF 
THE 
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS BEING PRESENTED TO 
MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE APPLICATION OF 
PASSPORTS. 
"THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO 
REQUIRE ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE 


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SPECIFIED 
IN 
THE 
IMPLEMENTING 
RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS FORMULATED TO ENFORCE THIS LAW.” 
SEC. 3. Section 7 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 
pass ports : 
a> 
Diplomatic passports [for persons imbued] ISSUED TO 
PERSONS with diplomatic status or are on diplomatic mission such as: 
“1. The President and former Presidents of the Republic of the 
Philippines; 
“2. The Vice-president and former Vice-president of the Republic 
of the Philippines; 
“3. The INCUMBENT Senate President and the INCUMBENT 
Speaker of the House of Representatives; 
“4. The INCUMBENT Chief Justice AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICE of 
the Supreme Court; 
“5. The Cabinet Secretaries OF ALL DEPARTMENTS OF THE 
EXECUTIVE BRANCH, [and] the Undersecretaries and Assistant 
Secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs, AND THE SECRETARY 
OFTHESENATEANDTHESECRETARYGENERALOFTHE HOUSE 
OF REPRESENTATIVES: 
“6. Ambassadors, CHEFS OF MISSION, Foreign Service Officers 
of all ranks in the career diplomatic service[,] INCLUDING DESIGNATED 
FOREIGN SERVICE Attaches, AND DESIGNATED ATTACHES FROM 
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, and member of their families; 
“7. Members of [the] Congress when on official mission abroad or 
as delegates to international conferences; 


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“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 
“9. 
Spouses and [unmarried] 
minor children 
INCLUDING 
UNMARRIED CHILDREN WHO ARE OF AGE BUT DEPENDENT [ofl 
ON the above-mentioned officiak when accompanying or following to join 
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. 
“b) Official passports [to 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 have not been accorded diplomatic status such 
as: 
“1. Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of the Cabinet 
other than the Department of Foreign Affairs, the PRESIDING 
JUSTICE AND Associate Justices OF THE COURT OF 
APPEALS, [and] other members of the Judiciary, [members of 
the Congress] and all other government officials and 
employees travelling 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; 
”3. Persons in the domestic service and household members of 
officials assigned to diplomatic or consular posts[;] NOT 
EXCEEDING TWO (2); 


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“4. Spouses and unmarried minor children of the officials 
mentioned above when accompanying or following to join 
them[,]; 
“5. FORMER SENATE PRESIDENTS AND SPEAKERS OF THE 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; 
“6. RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICE§ AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF 
THE SUPREME COURT. 
‘IC) Regular Passport issued to Filipino citizens who are not eligible 
or entitled to diplomatic or official passports, including 
government officials or employees going abroad for pleasure 
or 
other 
personal reasons. Government 
officials 
and 
employees and members of their families may, during their 
incumbency in office, hold two passports simultaneously: (1) a 
regular passport for private travel; (2) a diplomatic or official 
passport when travelling abroad on diplomatic or official 
business. The wife and minor children of persons entitled to a 
diplomatic or official passport shall be issued regular 
passports, if they are not accompanying or following to join 
them.” 
SEC. 4. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 8. Grounds for Denial, Cancellation or Restrictions. - 
The application for passport may be denied, cancelled or restricted only 
on the following grounds: 
“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; 
“2. When so requested by the natural or legal guardian, if the 
applicant is a minor; 


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“3. When the applicant has been found to have violated any of the 
provisions of this Act; 
“4. FAILURE OF APPLICANT TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY 
REQUIREMENTS 
TO 
SUPPORT 
THE 
PASSPORT 
APPLICATION; 
“5. UPON LAWFUL ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS, AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, WHEN HE 
DEEMS IT NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL 
SECURITY OR PUBLIC SAFETY; 
“6. CANCELLATION OF APPLICANT’S PASSPORT UNDER 
SECTION 8 (B) HEREOF; AND 
“[4] 7. Such other disqualification under existing laws. 
“b) Cancellation OF PASSPORT 
“1. When the holder is a fugitive from justice; OR 
“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 SHALL BE 
ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A NEW PASSPORT AFTER 
GRANT OF PROBATION, SERVICE OF SENTENCE, GRANT 
OF CONDITIONAL OR ABSOLUTE PARDON, OR ISSUANCE 
OF AMNESTY; or 
“3. [When a passport was acquired fraudulently or tampered with.] 
UPON FINDING BY THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS OR HIS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR 
CONSULAR OFFICER OR UPON RECOMMENDATION OF 
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION 
THAT A PASSPORT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED THROUGH 
FRAUD OR 
MISREPRESENTATION 
OR 
HAS 
BEEN 


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ISSUANCE; OR 
“4. UPON LAWFUL ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS, AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, 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 [which] AND could pose a danger to the Filipino 
traveler; 
“2. When THE COUNTRY OF DESTINATIN HAS SEVERED 
diplomatic tiesthave been fractured or severed] with the 
Philippines; 
“3. When the country of destination is subject to travel restriction 
by government policy, enforcement of action by the United 
Nations or in a state of war[.]; 
“4. 
WHEN 
TRAVEL 
HAS 
BEEN 
AUTHORIZED 
BY 
A 
COMPETENT COURT OR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 
TO A SPECIFIED DESTINATION ONLY; AND 
“5. WHEN THE APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 
. 
APPEAR 
INADEQUATE 
TO 
ESTABLISH 
PHILIPPINE 
CITIZENSHIP AND THE TRAVEL IS FOR URGENT MEDICAL 
REASONS AS CERTIFIED BY A PHYSICIAN, OR TO 
ATTEND TO A SERIOUSLY ILL FAMILY MEMBER WITHIN 
THE 
SECOND 
DECREE 
OF 
CONSANGUINITY OR 
AF F I N ITY . ” 
Sec. 5. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. I O .  Validify. - Regular passports issued under this Act 
shall be valid for a period of five (5) years: Provided, however, That the 


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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, OR WHENEVER THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS DEEMS THAT NATIONAL SECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY OR 
PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
SO 
REQUIRES, 
OR 
WHENEVER 
THE 
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 FAMILY MEMBER WITHIN THE 
SECOND DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY, such 
restriction is necessary[:]; 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. 
“AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD OF 
VALIDITY, THE 
DEPARTMENT OF 
FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
MAY 
REVALIDATE A PASSPORT FOR A VALIDITY PERIOD OF NOT LESS 
THAN TEN ( I O )  YEARS: PROVIDED, THAT, NO SUCH PASSPORT 
SHALL BE ISSUED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL UNDER TWENTY (20 
YEARS OLD. 
“DIPLOMATIC 
AND 
OFFICIAL 
PASSPORT 
SHALL 
BE 
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR REVALIDATION BEFORE 
EACH DEPARTURE OF THE HOLDER: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, 
THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE JUDICIARY SHALL BE 
EXEMPTED FROM SUBMITTING THEIR DIPLOMATIC AND/OR 
OFF IC IAL PASS PORTS FOR VAL1 DATlO N ; PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OF THE JUDICIARY SHALL 
BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN TRAVEL AUTHORITY FROM THE 
SENATE PRESIDENT IN THE CASE OF SENATORS, THE SPEAKER 
OF THE HOUSE IN THE CASE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE 


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OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE 
SUPREME COURT FOR THE MEMBER FOR THE JUDICIARY.” 
SEC. 6. 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,] OF THE FOLLOWING 
PURPOSES, PROVIDED [but] THAT such amendment should be 
approved by the Secretary or his duly authorized diplomatic or consular 
officers[ .]; 
“(A) AMENDMENT 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. 
“[Diplomatic and official passports shall be submitted for 
revalidation before each departure of the holder.] 
“AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE MADE DUE TO ERROR IN 
SCRIPTING OR DISCREPANCY IN THE PERSONAL DATE OF THE 
H 0 LD E R . ” 
SEC. 7. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“SEC. 17. Passport Revolving Fund. - The Department may 
charge a REASONABLE service fee [of not more than Two Hundred Fifty 
Pesos (P25O)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 


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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] PASSPORT and 
consular services and other Department services except travel and 
transportation allowances and expenses. 
“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] AND 
the Secretary [will] SHALL submit a report on the disbursement of the 
fund [every six (6) months] ANNUALLY to both the Senate and the House 
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Committees on Foreign Relations.” 
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follows: 
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“SEC. 19, Offenses and Penalties. - A passport being a 
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proclamation of the citizenship of 
a Filipino, is a document that is 
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superior to all other official documents[.] AND As such, it should be 
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accorded the highest respect by its holder [that to do damage to its 
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integrity and validity is a serious crime that should be penalized 
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accordingly:]. ANY ACT PREJUDICIAL TO ITS INTEGRITY IS A GRAVE 
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CRIME AGAINST 
THE 
STATE AND 
SHALL 
BE PENALIZED 
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ACCORD IN G LY: 
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“a) Offenses Relating to Issuances: Penalties - Any person who: 
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“1. Acting or claiming to act in any capacity or office under the 
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Republic of the Philippines, without lawful authority, ACCEPTS 
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PASSPORT APPLICATIONS, grants, issues or verifies any passport or 
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travel document to any or for any person whomsoever OR IS CAUGHT 
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SELLING IN WHATEVER CAPACTIY ANY PASSPORT APPLICATIONS 
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FORMS OR 
LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORTS AND 
TRAVEL 
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DOCUMENTS, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifteen 
SEC. 8. Section 19 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 


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thousand pesos (Pl5,OOO.OO) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos 
(P60,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months 
nor more than] six (6) years AND ONE (I) DAY NOR MORE THAN 
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 
(PI 5,000.00) nor more than Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,OOO.OO) and 
imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months but not more than] 
six (6) years AND ONE (1) DAY BUT NOT MORE THAN TWELVE (12) 
YEARS, and upon conviction, be PERPETUALLY disqualified from 
holding [appointive] public office; OR 
“3. Being a diplomatic consular officer knowingly and willfully 
grants and issues to, amend 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 (P15,OOO.OO) nor more than Sixty thousand 
pesos (P60,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) 
months nor more than] six (6) years AND ONE (1) DAY BUT NOT MORE 
THAN TWELVE (12) YEARS, and upon conviction, be 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 


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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 (P15,000.00) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos 
(P60,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than [three (3)] SIX (6) years 
AND ONE (I) 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 peso (P15,OOO.OO) nor more than Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than [three 
(3)] SIX (6) years AND ONE (1) DAY, but not more than [ten (IO)] 
TWELVE (I 2) years[;or]. 
“[3. Travel and recruitment agencies whose agents, liaison officers 
or representatives are convicted of offenses relating to false statements 
shall in addition to the fines and penalties above-mentioned 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 
conviction barred from engaging in the travel or recruitment agency 
business.] 
“c) Offenses Relating to Forgery: Penalties - Any person who: 
“ I ,  Falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates or alters any 
passport or travel documents, 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,OOO.OO) 
nor more than One hundred fifth thousand pesos 


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(P150,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) year nor more 
than fifteen (15) years; or 
“2. Willfully or knowingly uses or attempts to use, or furnishes to 
another for use any such false, forged, counterfeited, mutilated or altered 
passport or travel document or any passport validly issued which has 
become void by the occurrence of any condition therein prescribe shall 
be punished by a fine of not less than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO.OO) 
nor more than One hundred and fifty thousand pesos (P150,OOO.OO) and 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years nor more than fifteen (15) 
years: Provided, however, That officers of corporations, agencies or 
entities licensed in the travel and recruitment industry would be held 
similarly liable as their agents, liaison officers or representatives: 
Provided, finally, That forgeries of five or more passports or travel 
documents, would be considered as massive forgery tantamount to 
national sabotage and shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two 
hundred and fifty thousand pesos (P250,OOO.OO) nor more than One 
Million pesos (PI ,000,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than seven 
(7) years nor more than seventeen (17) years. 
“d) Offense Relating to Improper Use: Penalties - 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 restriction therein contained, or of the 
rules prescribed pursuant thereto; or 


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“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 designed] OTHER THAN THAT IN WHOSE NAME AND FOR 
WHOSE USE IT WAS ISSUED, DESIGNED OR INTENDED, EXCEPT 
WHEN THE APPLICANT IS A MINOR, A SENIOR CITIZEN OVER 
SIXTY 
(60) YEARS 
OLD 
OR 
PHYSICALLY 
OR 
MENTALLY 
INCAPACITATED AND THE PASSPORT IS 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 a punished 
by a fine of not less than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO.OO) nor more 
than One hundred fifty thousand pesos (PI 50,000.00) and imprisonment 
of not less than six (6) years nor more than fifteen (15) years. 
.“TRAVEL AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WHOSE OFFICERS, 
AGENTS, 
LIAISON 
OFFICERS 
OR 
REPRESENTATIVES ARE 
CONVICTED OF OFENSES RELATING TO IMPROPER USE SHALL BE 
BARRED FROM ENGAGING IN THE TRAVEL AND RECRUITMENT 
AGENCY BUS1 NESS. 
“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 
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7s 
his possession, be punished by a fine of not less than Fifteen thousand 
pesos (PI 5,000.00) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO.OO) 
and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) YEARS 
AND ONE (I) DAY but not 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 penalty shall be 
imposed. 
“F) OFFENSES RELATING TO FORGERY OF VISAS AND 
ENTRY DOCUMENTS; PENALTIES. -ANY PERSON WHO 
“1. KNOWINGLY FORGES, COUNTERFEITS, ALTERS, OR 
FALSELY MAKES ANY IMMIGRANT OR NON-IMMIGRAN VISA, 
PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING, ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD, OR 
OTHER DOCUMENTS PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE OR REGLATION 
FOR ENTRY INTO OR AS EVIDENCE OF AUTHORIZED STAY OR 
EMPLOYMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, OR UTTER, 
USES, ATTEMPTS TO USE, POSSESSES, OBTAIN, ACCEPTS, OR 
RECEIVES ANY SCH VISA, PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING CARD, 
ALIEN REGISTRATION RECEIPT CARD, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS 
PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE OR REGULATION FOR ENTRY INTO OR 
AN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORIZED STAY OR EMPLOYMENT IN THE 
PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, KNOWING IT TO BE FORGED, 
COUNTERFEITED, ALTERED, OR FALSELY MADE, OR HAVE BEEN 
PROCURED BY MEANS OF ANY FALSE CLAIM OR STATEMENT, OR 
TO 
HAVE 
BEEN 
OTHERWISE 
PROCURED 
BY 
FRAUD 
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2s 
UNLAWFULLY OBTAIN: 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 
KNOWLEDGED; OR 
“2. EXCEPT UNDER DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, OR OTHER PROPER OFFICER, KNOWINGLY 
POSSESES ANY BLANK PERMIT, OR ENGRAVES, SELLS, BRINGS 
INTO THE PHILIPPNIES, OR HAS IN HIS CONTROL OR POSSESSION 
ANY PLATE 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 NON- 
IMMIGRANT VISA, PERMIT OR OTHER DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR 
ENTRY INTO THE PHILIPPINES OR ELSEWHERE, OR HAS IN HIS 
POSESSION 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 FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTEEN (15) THOUSAND PESOS 
(P15,000.00) NOR MORE THAN SIXTY (60) THOUSAND PESOS 
(P60,OOO.OO) AND IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN THREE (3) 
YEARS, BUT NOT MORE THAN TEN ( I O )  YEARS: PROVIDED, THAT, 
THE PERSON WHO FORGES, CUNTERFEITS, ALTERS, OR FALSELY 
MAKES ANY IMMIGRANT OR NON-IMMIGRANTS VISA, PERMIT 
BORDER CROSSING CARD, ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD, OR 
OTHER ENTRY DOCUMENT SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH A FINE OF 
NOT LESS THAN SIXTY (60) THOUSAND PESOS (P60,OOO.OO) NOR 
MORE 
THAN 
ONE 
HUNDRED 
FIFTY 
THOUSAND 
PESOS 
(P150,OOO.OO) AND IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) 


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ENTRY DOCUMENT.” 
YEARS NOR MORE THAN FIFTEEN (15) YEARS FOR EACH VISA OR 
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follows: 
SEC. 9. Section 20 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as 
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“SEC. 20. Suspension/REVOCAT/ON 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 or 
administrative sanctions including revocation of its license to operate.] 
TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES ARE ALLOWED THE 
PRIVILEGE TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON 
THE BASIS OF TRUST AN CONFIDENCE. FOR THE EXERCISE OF 
THIS PRIVELEGE, TRAVEL AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SHALL 
BE 
REQUIRED 
TO 
SECURE 
ACCREDITATION 
FROM 
THE 
DEPARTMENT. 
“A TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY WHICH VIOLATES 
ANY PROVISION OF THIS ACT SHALL HAVE ITS ACCREDITATION 
SUSPENDED 
OR 
REVOKED 
IN 
ACCORDANCE 
WITH 
THE 
SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES TO BE FORMULATED 
BY THE DEPARTMENT. ANY SUCH SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION 
OF ACCREDITATION SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO CIVIL 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 agent or agency shall be prima facie evidence that the said 


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falsification.” 
travel or recruitment agent or agency is the author of such forgery of 
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SEC. 10. All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly . 
SEC. 1 4 .  If any provision of this Act is unconstitutional or invalid, the 
other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 12. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,