THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPLNES 
First Regulm Session 
SENATE 
, 
- 
4
,
 ,.., ... : 
S. No. 
$..(,.,~ ' 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, was 
enacted pursuant to the people's Constitutional right to travel. Accordingly, the government has 
the duty to issue passpofls or other travel documents to any of its citizens who comply with the 
requirements of said Act. 
In this light, it would be worth noting that it is also the policy of the State to prescribe 
only minimum requirements for the application and issuance of passports and other travel 
documents to enhance and protect the right to travel. Viewed in this regard, there is a need to 
amend the existing Act in order to facilitate the issuance of passports and travel documents. 
Specifically, this bill seelts to amend the provisions relating to the requirements for 
issuance of passports as well as additional grounds for its amendment, suspension and 
revocation. Furthermore, the proposed bill enumerates the individuals who are qualified to file 
applications on behalf of certain applicants. 
Finally, the bill also seelts to penalize those who do damage to the Philippine passport's 
integrity and validity by punishing those who sell passport applications, government forms, as 
well as lost or stolen travel documents. 
It is on the basis of the foregoing consideration that the approval of this bill is urgently 
so ugh t . 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1 
.. . 
t 
I 
.,, .. 
First Regular Session. 
. 
- 8 ’  
SENATE 
. , 
.:* 
. 
~ 
- 
~~- 
~~ 
-~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996 
Be it enucted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
ussemhled: 
SECTION 1. 
Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the “Philippine 
Passport Act of 1996” is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“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: 
“a.) A duly accomplished application form and photographs of such number, size and style as 
may be prescribed by the Department; 
[“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 
accoinplished 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 DULY AUTHENTICATED BY THE 
OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OR ITS LOCAL CIVIL 
REGISTRAR: PROVIDED, THAT IF THE APPLICANT WAS BORN BEFORE 1950 
AND HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN DESTROYED, DAMAGED, OR IS NOT 
AVAILABLE DUE TO OTHER CAUSES, HE MUST PRESENT A BAPTISMAL OR 
DEDICATION CERTIFICATE, OR A 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 WHERE IT IS INDICATED THAT THE APPLICANT IS A 
FILIPINO CITIZEN: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THIS MUST 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 NAME OF 
PARENTS: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT FILIPINOS WHO DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO 
ANY RELIGION AND WHOSE.PARENTS FOR ANY REASON FAILED TO HAVE 
THE SAID 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 AFFIDAVIT OF 
AT LEAST TWO (2) PERSONS OF GOOD REPUTATION WHO PERSONALLY 
KNOW SUCH FACT; 
[“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 €or 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 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 SHALL BE REQUIRED TO FILE A 
DELAYED REGISTRATION OF BIRTH WITH THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR: 
PROVIDED, THAT THIS PROVISION WILL NOT PREVENT LATE REGISTRANTS 
BORN BEFORE 1950 FROM APPLYING FOR A DELAYED REGISTRATION OF 
BIRTH; 
(D) THE APPLICANT’S VOTER’S ID OR AFFIDAVIT DULY ISSUED BY THE 
COMELEC IN THE LOCALITY WHERE THE APPLICANT IS A REGISTERED 
VOTER IF THE APPLICANT IS ALREADY EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE; and 
[“d.) In case of a woman who is 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 
\ 


,
,
I
 
, 
separation, divorce or annulment or certificate of death of the deceased spouse duly issued and 
authenticated by the 
decree, annulment 01 
of her maiden name 
the Philippines;] 
(E) A MARRIED 
HUSBAND MUST 
Office of the Civil Registrar General: Provided, That in case of a divorce 
declaration of marriage as void, the woman applicant may revert to the use 
Provided, further, That such divorce is recognized under existing laws of 
WOMAN WHO OPTS TO ADOPT THE SURNAME OF HER 
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; 
[“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 
pasen t ; ] 
(F) 
IN 
THE 
CASE 
OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS, A 
COPY OF THE 
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE, DULY ISSUED AND AUTHENTICATED BY 
THE OFFICF OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL: PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE 
OF DERIVATIVE NATURALIZATION, THE APPLICANT SHALL BE REQUIRED TO 
PMSENT A COPY OF THE NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE OF HIS PARENT 
OR SPOUSE DULY ISSUED AND AUTHENTICATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE 
CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL; 
[“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 travelling with either parent, and a 
clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, if the minor is travelling 
with a legal guardian or a person other than a parent;] 
(G) APPLICATIONS FILED BY MINOR PASSPORT APPLICANTS MAY BE 
PROCESSED ONLY UPON THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF EITHER PARENT: 
PROVIDED, THAT IF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE MINOR’S PARENTS FILES 
THE APPLICATION, A SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY DULY EXECUTED BY 
EITHER PARENT MUST BE PRESENTED FOR THIS PURPOSE: PROVIDED, 
FURTHER, THAT MINOR PASSPORT APPLICANTS TRAVELING WITH EITHER 


PARENT MUST PRESENT THE PASSPORT OF HIS TRAVELING COMPANION: 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT IF HE IS NOT TRAVELING WITH EITHER PARENT, 
AN AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND CONSENT FROM EITHER PARENT MUST BE 
SUBMITTED; 
[“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;] 
(H) IF THE APPLICANT IS FOR ADOPTION BY FOREIGN PARENTS UNDER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO, 8043, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “INTER-COUNTRY 
ADOPTION ACT OF 1995,” THE.CERTIF1ED TRUE COPY OF THE COURT DECREE 
OF ABANDONMENT OF CHILD, DEATH CERTIFICATE OF THE CHILD’S 
PARENTS, OR THE DEED OF VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT EXECUTED BY 
EITHER PARENT AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD SHALL BE PRESENTED: 
PROVIDED, THAT THE AUTHENTICATED BIRTH OR FOUNDING CERTIFICATE, 
PLACEMENT AUTHORITY AND THE FORMAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHILD 
TO THE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION BOARD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT MUST BE PRESENTED; 
“[h.)] (I) In case of discrepancy between the applicant’s 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 
[“i.) If the applicant is a government employee, the travel authority issued by the head of 
department, agency or office may be required only if said applicant is applying for an official 
passport.]” 
(J) IF THE APPLICANT IS A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE, A 
TRAVEL AUTHORITY FROM THE APPROPRIATE HEADS OF AGENCIES SHALL 
ONLY BE REQUIRED IF HE IS APPLYING FOR A DIPLOMATIC 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] MUST be filed by ANY OF THE 
FOLLOWING: 
“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 AT LEAST SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD, OR IS SUFFERING FROM 
DISABILITY WHICH IMPAIRS HIS MEANS OF COMMUNICATION; OR” 
(C) A TRAVEL OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY DULY ACCREDITED WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT. 
[“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 hona Jide of the supporting documents being presented to meet the requirements for the 
application of passports.]” 
A PERSON APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME 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. THIS 
REQUIREMENT MAY BE WAIVED WHEN THE APPLICANT IS NOT MORE THAN 
EIGHT (8) YEARS OLD, OR AT LEAST SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD, OR MENTALLY OR 
PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED. 
WHEN A PASSPORT APPLICATION IS 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 BEING PRESENTED 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. 
SEC. 3. Section 7 (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: 
“a.) Diplomatic [passport] PASSPORTS [for persons imbued] ARE ISSUED TO PERSONS 
with diplomatic status or are on A diplomatic mission such as: 
“ I .  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. [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, THE SECRETARY 
GENERAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SECRETARY OF 
THE SENATE; 
“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; 
“8. [The Governor of the Bangko Sentrcil ng Pilipinns 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 
DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, INCLUDING DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS ATTACHES AND DESIGNATED ATTACHES FROM ATTACHED 
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT; 
“9. [Spouses and unmarried minor children of the above-mentioned officials when accompanying 
or following to join them in an official mission abroad.] FORMER AMBASSADORS 
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS WITH THE RANK OF 
CHIEFS OF MISSION; 
10. INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS; 
11. THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR OF THE BANGKO SENTRAL, NG PILIPINAS; 
12. OFFICIAL DELEGATES TO INTERNATIONAL OR REGIONAL CONFERENCES 
ACCORDED FULL POWERS BY THE PWSIDENT; AND 
13. SPOUSE AND MINOR CHILDREN, INCLUDING UNMARRIED CHILDREN WHO 
ARE OF AGE BUT DEPENDENT ON THE INCUMBENT OFFICIALS MENTIONED 
ABOVE FOR SUPPORT, WHEN ACCOMPANYING OR FOLLOWING THE 
AFOREMENTIONED OFFICIALS ON BUSINESS. 
“The President of the Philippines and the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs may 
Sraiit 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] ARE 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. INCUMBENT Undersecretaries [and], Assistant Secretaries of the Cabinet other than the 
Department of Foreign Affairs, the Associate Justices OF THE COURT OF APPEALS and 


I
.
.
 
other members of the 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, INCLUDING UNMARRIED CHILDREN WHO 
ARE OF AGE BUT DEPENDENT ON THE INCUMBENT OFFICIALS MENTIONED 
ABOVE FOR SUPPORT, WHEN 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 A 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] APPLICANT’S FAILURE TO PRESENT 
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS TO SUPPORT THE PASSPORT APPLICATION; 
“2. [When so requested by the natural or legal guardian, if the applicant is a minor] 
VIOLATION BY THE APPLICANT OF ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 8239, AS AMENDED; 
“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. [Such other disqualificatioh under existing laws.] WHEN SO REQUESTED BY THE 
PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN, IF THE APPLICANT IS A MINOR; 


5. UPON LAWFUL ORDER OF THE SECRETARY 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 
7. SUCH OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS UNDER EXISTING LAWS. 
“b.) Cancellation OF PASSPORT 
“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 GRANT OF PROBATION, 
SERVICE OF SENTENCE, GRANT OF CONDITIONAL OR ABSOLUTE PARDON, OR 
ISSUANCE OF AN AMNESTY; [or] 
“3. (Wlieii a passport was acquired fraudulently or tampered with.] UPON FINDING BY THE 
SECRETARY 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 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 Philippines; 
“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;” 
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 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.” 
SEC. 5. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 10. 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 restrictioii is necessary] THE SECRETARY DEEMS THAT NATIONAL SECURITY, 
PUBLIC SAFETY OR 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: Provided,Jinally, That a 
new passport may be issued to replace one which validity has expired [, the old passport being 
returned to the holder after 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. 
DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE 
DEPARTMENT FOR REVALIDATION BEFORE EACH DEPARTURE OF THE 
HOLDER. 
SEC. 6. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 14. Anzendrnents.- 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. 
AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE MADE DUE TO ERROR IN SCRIPTING OR 
DISCREPANCY IN THE P/ERSONAL DATA OF THE HOLDER. 
[“Diplomatic and official passports shall be submitted for revalidation before each departure of 
the holder.]” 
SEC. 7. Section 16 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“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].” 
SEC. 8. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 17. Passport Revolving Fund. - The Department may charge a REASONABLE sewice 
fee [of not inore than Two Hundred Fifty Pesos (P250)] 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 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 the Secretary will submit a report on the disbursement of the fund every 
six (6) months to both the Senate and the House Committees on Foreign Relations]. THE 
SECRETARY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE DISBURSEMENT OF THE FUND 
ANNUALLY TO THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN 
RELATIONS.” 
SEC. 9. 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 (F) is hereby added to read as follows: 
“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 serious crime that should be penalized accordingly]. ANY ACT 
PREJUDICIAL 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, ACCEPTS 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 (P15,OOO) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO) and 
imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (1 8) 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 willfLilly 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 (P15,OOO) nor more than Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,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; 


“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 willfLilly 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) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than 
[eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [six (6)] TWELVE 
(1 2) years and upon conviction, be PERPETUALLY disqualified from holding [appointive] 
public office. 
“b.) Oflenses 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 issuaiice 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 (P15,OOO) nor more than Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,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 (P15,OOO) nor 
more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [three (3) years] 
SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY, but not more than [ten (lo)] TWELVE (12) years [; or]. 
“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 conviction barred from engaging in the travel or 
recruitment agency business]. IN THE EVENT THAT AN OFFICER OF THE TRAVEL OR 
RECRUITMFNT 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,OOO) nor more than One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,OOO) and imprisonment of not 
less than six (6) years nor more than fifteen (1 5) 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 my condition therein prescribed shall be 


punislied 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: 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 punislied by a fine of not less than Two hundred and fifty thousand pesos (P250,OOO) 
nor more than One million pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than seven (7) 
years nor more than seventeen (1 7) years. 
“d.) Offenses 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 
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 origiiially issued or designed; or] 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 punished by a fine of not less than Sixty 
thousand pesos (P60,OOO) nor more than One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,OOO) and 
iiiiprisonment 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 than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,OOO) nor more 


than Sixty thousa d pesos (P60,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (1 8) months] 
SIX (6) YEARS ND ONE (1) DAY [but not] NOR more than [six (6)] TWELVE (12) years: 
Puovicled, That th maximum fine and imprisonment shall be imposed by the court if he attempts 
to use or actually ses an unexpired passport which is not in his name. 
“In case any o f t  e offenses prohibited in this Act constitutes a violation of the Revised Penal 
Code and the pel alty imposed in said Code is heavier than that provided in this Act, the latter 
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 NONIMMIGRANT VISA, PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING CARD, 
ALIEN REGISTRATION 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, 
OR UTTERS, 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 HAVE’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 DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, 
OR OTHER PROPER OFFICER, KNOWINGLY POSSESSES ANY BLANK PERMIT, 
OR ENGRAVES, SELLS, BRINGS INTO THE PHILIPPINES, OR HAS IN HIS 
CONTROL OR POSSESSION IN 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 
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 FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTEEN 


THOUSAND PESOS (P15,OOO) NOR MORE THAN SIXTY THOUSAND PESOS 
(P60,OOO) AND IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN THREE (3) YEARS, BUT NOT 
MORE THAN TEN (10) YEARS: PROVIDED, THAT THE PERSON WHO FORGES, 
COUNTERFEITS, ALTERS, OR FALSELY MAKES ANY IMMIGRANT OR 
NONIMMIGRANT 
VISA, 
PERMIT, 
BORDER 
CROSSING 
CARD, 
ALIEN 
REGISTRATION CARD, OR OTHER ENTRY DOCUMENT SHALL BE PUNISHED 
BY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN SIXTY THOUSAND PESOS (P60,OOO) NOR MORE 
THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P150,OOO) AND IMPRISONMENT 
OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) YEARS NOR MORE THAN FIFTEEN (15) YEARS FOR 
EACH VISA OR ENTRY DOCUMENT. 
SEC. 10. Section 20 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 20. Suspension/RE VOCATION of Accreditation. - [Any duly accredited travel or 
recniitment 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 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 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 recrui€ment agent or agency shall be prima facie 
evidence that the said travel or recruitment agent or agency is the author of such forgery or 
falsification.” 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect, 
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clnuse. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its publication in 
a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first. 


Approved,