'S’''
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL-2 P4 ;26
x>yr':
SENATE
S. No. 13
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
ABOLISHING THE TRAVEL TAX ON FILIPINOS AND ON NATIONALS OF 
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) MEMBER STATES 
TRAVELLING TO OTHER ASEAN MEMBER STATES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The right to travel is not a privilege. It is a constitutional guarantee. Section 6, 
Article III of the 1987 Constitution mandates that" The liberty of abode and of changing 
the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful 
order of the court. 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."
In reality, however, while our laws do not restrict the Filipinos' right to travel, the 
burden of paying taxes does. The travel tax imposed on our countrymen who wish to 
travel adds to the already high cost of airfare, accommodation and other related travel 
expenses.
This proposed measure, filed by Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel last 19th 
Congress seeks to abolish the travel tax for all Filipinos leaving the Philippines, regardless 
of their purpose for travel. This move not only upholds every Filipino's Constitutional right 
to travel but will mean greater mobility, more opportunities and significantly unburden 
them of the extra cost when they intend to visit their loved ones, join a pilgrimage, attend 
a training or simply travel for leisure and holidays abroad.


This lifting of travel tax shall also apply to all nationals of ASEAN member states 
leaving the country with another ASEAN member state as their final destination. This 
move is in fulfilment of our commitment to ASEAN integration and regional agreements 
aimed at removing barriers to the free movement of people, goods and services within 
the region. Removing the travel tax for our ASEAN neighbors, particularly for their trips 
within the region, will show our commitment in attaining ASEAN's vision of a "seamlessly 
connected and people-centered ASEAN community."
It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
rOOD PADILLA
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 13
25 JUL-2 P4:26
4
5
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
ABOLISHING THE TRAVEL TAX ON FILIPINOS AND ON NATIONALS OF 
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) MEMBER STATES 
TRAVELLING TO OTHER ASEAN MEMBER STATES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Abolishing the Travel Tax. -Travel tax shall no longer be imposed on
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the foliowing individuals:
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a. Filipinos leaving the Phiiippines; and
b. Nationals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member 
States leaving the Phiiippines and travelling to other ASEAN member states.
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Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is heid unconstitutional,
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the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shali remain in fuli force and effect.
8 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — Presidentiai Decree No. 1183, as amended, ail laws,
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executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are 
10 inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 4. Effectivify Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,