13th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. BILL NO. 
'04 .JUL -6 
A11 :52 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
Explanatory Note 
Republic Act No. 8239, also known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 was 
enacted to pursue the inviolable constitutional right of people to travel. 
The same Act 
mandatcs the government to issue passports or other travel documents to any of its citizens 
who comply with the requirements of the said Act. 
Appropriately, it should be 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 unimpaired exercise of said right. In this regard, there is a need to 
amend the existing Act in order to facilitate and expedite the issuance of passports and travel 
documents. 
Specifically, this bill seeks 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 shall be 
qualified to file applications on behalf of certain applicants in specific circumstances 
: provided therein. 
Finally, the hill also seeks to penalize those who do damage to the Philippine 
assport's integrity and validity by punishing those who shall sell passport applications, 
. p c 
'-;goyernment forms, as well as lost or stolen documents. 
?. 


13th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
-04 JUL -G 
All :52 
S E N A T E  
139 
S. BILL NO. 
Introduced bv Senator R a l ~ h  
G. Recto 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTIONS 5, 6, 7(a), 7(b), 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, 19, AND 20 OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
PASSPORT ACT OF 1996 
Be it enacted 
the Senate and the Honse .fhpmentatives gthe Phih)pines in Congress assembled: 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
requirements: 
8 
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. Requinmentsfor the lsmance ofPas@od. - 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 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
“(a) A duly accomplished form and photographs of such number, size and 
style as may be prescribed by the Department; 
(B) THE APPLICANT’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE 
LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR AND DULY AUTHENTICATED BY THE 
OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENE= 
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 
EQUIVALENT CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A NON-CHRISTIAN 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
RELIGIOUS GROUP, ATTESTING TO THE APPLICANT'S HAVING 
BEEN ADMITTED T O  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 T O  
THE EFFECT DULY CORROBORATED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF AT 
LEAST 
TWO 
(2) 
PERSONS 
OF 
GOOD REPUTATION WHO 
PERSONALLY KNOW SUCH FACT; 
"[@) 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;] 
(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 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
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, 
[(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 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 name of parents: 
Pmided, 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, @rtbtr, That in lieu thereof, the applicant 
shall execute an affidavit to the effect duly corroborated by the affidavit of at least 
two (2) persons of good reputation who personally know such fact;] 
(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 mtirriage 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 the 
Civil Registrar General: Provided, That in case of a divorced decree, annulment or 
declaration of marriage as void, the woman applicant may revert to the use of her 
maiden name: Pmovided,@rther, That such divorce is recognized under existing laws of 
the Philippines;] 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
(E) A MARRIED WOMAN WHO OPTS T O  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 MENDED 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 ANNULLMENT; 
“[(e) In the case of naturalized cimens, 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 the naturalization of spouse or parent;] 
(F) I N  THE CASE OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS, A COPY OF 
THE NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE, DULY REGISTERED BY 
THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR AND AUTHENTICATED BY THE 
OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENE= 
PROVIDED, THAT 
IN CASE OF DERIVATIVE NATURALIZATION, THE APPLICANT 
SHALL 
BE 
REQUIRED 
T O  PRESENT 
A 
COPY 
OF THE 
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE OF HIS PARENT OR SPOUSE 
DULY ISSUED AND AUTHENTICATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE 
CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, 
“[(Q 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 
3 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
and Development, if the minor is traveling 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 THER PARENTS: PROVIDED, THAT IF A PERSON OTHER THAN 
THE MINOR’S PARENTS FILE 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, FINfiY, 
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: Pmzided,jiurtber, 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 R.A. NO. 8043, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1995,” THE CERTIFIED 
TRUE COPY OF THE COURT DECREE OF ABANDONEMNT OF 
CHILD, DEATH CERTIFICATE OF THE CHILD’S PARENTS, OR THE 
NEED OF VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT EXECUTED BY EITHER 
PARENT AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD SHALL BE 
PRESENTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE AUTHENTICATED BIRTH OR 
4 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12. 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
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; 
“(I) [(h)] 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. Ap$kcation. - 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” 
5 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
(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 bonajde of the suppordng 
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 I N  THE APPLICATION FORM. 
THIS REQUIREMENT 
MAY BE WAIVED WHEN THE APPLICANT IS NOT MORE THAN 
EIGHT (8) YEARS OLD, OR AT LEAST (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 SECURED BY THE AGENT AND BEING PRESENTED 
TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF 
PASSPORTS. 
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT T O  REQUIRE 
ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE SPECIFIED IN THE 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FORMULATED T O  
ENFORCE THIS LAW. 
6 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
SEC. 3. Section 7 (a) and @) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Sec. 7. 9pe.r 4Paqbod.r. - 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 axe 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 Repubhc of the 
Puppines; 
“3. The INCUMBENT Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives; 
“4. The INCUMBENT Chef Justtce 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. [Ambassadors, Foreign Service Officers of all ranks ~fl 
the career 
dlplomatic semce; Attaches, and members of thex f d e s ]  THE 
INCUMBENT 
SECRETARIES 
OF 
ALL 
OTHER 
DEPARTMENTS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE 
7 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
SECRETARY 
GENERAL 
OF 
THE 
HOUSE 
OF 
REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SECRETARY OF THE 
SENATE; 
“8. [Members of the Congress when on official mission abroad or as 
delegates 
to 
mtemational 
conferences] 
AMBASSADORS 
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; 
“9. [The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pzlzpznas and delegates to 
mternaaonal or regonal conferences when on officlal misslon 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; 
“10. [Spouses and unmarried m o r  cluldren of the above-menaoned 
officials when accompanymg or followmg to ]om them m an official 
mssion 
abroad 1 
FORMER 
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 
SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS; 
12. OFFICIAL DELEGATES T O  INTERNATIONAL OR 
REGIONAL CONFERENCES ACCORDED FULL POWERS 
BY THE PRESIDENT; AND 
8 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
13 SPOUSE 
AND 
MINOR 
CHILDREN, 
INCLUDING 
UNMARRIED CHILDREN WHO ARE OF AGE BUT 
DEPENDENT 
O N  
THE 
INCUMBENT 
OFFICIALS 
MENTIONED 
ABOVE 
FOR 
SUPPORT, 
WHEN 
ACCOMPANYING 
OR 
FOLLOWING 
THE 
AFOREMENTIONED OFFICIALS O N  BUSINESS. 
“The President of the Philippines and the Secretary of the Deparunent 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 PASSPORTS ARE [Passport to be] issued to all government 
officials and employees on offiual trip abroad but who are not on a &plomauc 
mission [or delegates to international or regional conferences] or have not been 
accorded dlplomauc status such as: 
“1. INCUMBENT Undersecretaries [and], Assistant Secretanes of the 
Cabinet other than the Department of Foreign Affam, the Associate 
Justices OF THE COURT OF APPEALS and other members of 
the Ju&ciary [, 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 Affws 
assigned to hplomauc and consular posts and officers and 
representatrves of other government departments and agencles 
assigned abroad] 
PAST 
SENATE PRESIDENTS AND 
SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; 
“3. [Persons in the domestic service and household members of officials 
9 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
assigned to diplomatic 01 consular posts] RETIRED CHIEF 
JSUTICES 
AND 
ASSOCIATE 
JUSTICES 
OF THE 
SUPREMg COURT; 
“4. [Spouses and antnamed m o r  chddren of the officials menaoned 
above when accompanymg or followmg to 10“ 
them.] STAFF 
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF FORE~GN AFFAIRS ASSIGNED TO DIPLOAMTIC OR 
CONSULAR 
POSTS 
AND 
OFFICES 
AND 
REPRESENTATIVES 
OF 
OTHER 
GOVERNEMNT 
AGENCIEk3 ASSIGNED ABROAD;” 
I 
5. 
PERSONS IN THE DOMESTIC SERVICE AND 
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS OF OFFICIALS ASSIGNED T O  
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. Gmundsjr Deniad Cancellation or Restrictions. - The application 
for A passport may be denied, cancelled or restricted only on the following grounds: 
“a) Denial of Passport 
“I. [On orders of the court, after due notice and hearing, to hold the 
10 


1 
departure of an appltcant because of a pendmg c r m a l  case] 
2 
APPICANT’S FAILURE T O  PRESENT DOCUMENTARY 
3 
REQUIREMENTS TO 
SUPPORT 
THE 
PASSPORT 
4 
APPLICATION, 
5 
6 
7 
m o r ]  VIOLATION BY THE APPLCIANT OF ANY OF 
8 
THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, AS 
9 
AMENDED; 
“2 when so requested by the natural or legal guarhan, if the appltcant is a 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
PROCESSING OF A PASSPORT; 
15 
16 
17 
18 
“5. WHEN THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED BY 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
7. 
UPON LAWFUL ORDERS OF THE SECRETARY WHEN 
26 
HE DEEMS IT NECESSARY N THE INTEREST OF 
27 
28 
29 
8. 
CANCELLATION OF APPLICANT’S PASSPORT UNDER 
30 
SECTION 8 (B) HEREOF; AND 
31 
32 
9. 
SUCH OTHER DISQUALIFICATONS UNDER EXISTING 
“3. p h e n  the apphcant has been found to have violated any of the 
promsions of h s  Act] ON ORDERS OF THE COURT, AFTER 
DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, TO WITHHOLD THE 
“4. WHEN THE APPLICANT IS A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE; 
FINAL JUDGMENT OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE;” 
“6 [Such other disquahficabon under exlsimg laws ] WHEN SO 
REQUESTED BY THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN, 
IF THE APPLICANT IS A MINOR, 
I 
NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC SAFETY, 
11 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
LAWS. 
“b) Cancellation OF PASSPORT 
“1. When the holder is a fugitive from justice; 
“2. When the folder [has] HAD been convicted BY FINAL JUDGMENT 
of a crmunal offense; Pmvtded, that [the passport may be restored 
after semce 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 
p h e n  a passport was acquued fraudulently or tampered mth] 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; 
12 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
.14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
“2. When [diplomatic ttes have been fractured or severed] THE 
COUNTRY OF DESTINATION HAD SEVERED 
DIPLOMATIC TIES w~th the Phhppmes, 
“3. When the country of destination is subject to travel restriction by 
government policy, enforcement [ofl action by the United States, or 
IS iq 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 T O  ESTABLISH FILIPINO 
CITIZENSHIP AND THE TRAVEL IS FOR URGENT 
MEDICAL REASONS AS CERTIFIED BY A PHYSICIAN, 
OR TO ATTEND T O  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. IO. VuLidi@ - 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 stabilitji of the country such restriction 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 
13 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
A COMPELLING REASON AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT: Pmmded,jna& That a new passport may be issued to replace one 
whch vahdq has explred [, the old passport bemg returned to the holder after 
cancellauon] ” 
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE TEN (10)-YEAR VALIDITY 
PASSPORTS TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS 
ACT, AS AMENDED: PROVIDED, THAT N O  SUCH PASSPORT SHALL 
BE ISSUED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL UNDER TWENTY (20) YEARS OLD. 
DIPLOMATIC 
AND 
OFFICIAL 
PASSPORTS 
SHALL 
BE 
SUBMITTED T O  THE DEPARTMENT FOR REVALIDATION BEFORE 
EACH DEPARTURE OF T H E  HOLDER. 
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, 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 T O  DEATH OF 
AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE MADE DUE TO ERROR IN 
SCRIPTING OR DISCREPANCY IN THE PERSONAL DATA OF 
THE HOLDER. 
C) AMENDMENT BY ORDER OF A COMPETENT COURT 
AND/OR PURSUANT TO R.A. NO. 9048.” 
14 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
[“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. Fm. - Reasonable fees shall be collected for the processmg, 
issuance [extension] EXTENSIONS, amendment or replacement of a lost passport 
and the issuance of a Travel Document as may be determined by the Department [: 
Provzded, however, That any fee shall not be mcreased more than once every three (3) 
years] .” 
SEC. 8. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 17. 
Pa~@ort Revohng Fand - The Department may charge a 
REASONABLE service fee [of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Pesos (PZSO)] 
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 cded 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 bj‘ Congress, but the Secretiuy w3l submit a 
report on the disbursement of the fund every S i  (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.” 
15 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
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. Offense and Penalties. - A passport, being a proclamation of [the] 
citizenship of a Filipino, [is a document that] is superior to all other [official] 
documents, [.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 T O  ITS 
INTEGRITY IS A GRAVE CRIME OF SECURITY AGAINST THE STATE 
AND SHOULD BE PENALIZED ACCORDINGLY. 
I ”  
IL 
13 
14 
“a) Offense Relating to fssuance/i]: Penalties. -Any person who: 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
“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 (PG0,OOO) and imprisonment of not less 
than [eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY 
nor more than [six (G)] 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 fme of not less than Fifteen thousand pesos 
(P15,OOO) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,OOO) and 
16 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
imprisonment of not less than [eighteen (18) months] SIX (6) 
YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY but not more than [six 
(6)lTWELVE 
(12) years 
and 
upon 
conviction, 
be 
PERPETUALLY disqualified from holding [appointive] public 
office: 
“3. Being a diplomatic or consular officer knowingly and wiufully 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 wiufully issues more than one passport to any person except as 
provided for in this Act shall be punished by a h e  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) 
months1 SIX (6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [six 
(6)lTWELVE 
(12) 
years 
and 
upon 
conviction, 
be 
PERPETUALLY disqualified from holding [appointive] public 
office; 
“b) Offenses Reluting to False Stute~~ents:pena~~es. 
- Any person who wiUfully and 
knowingly: 
“1. Makes any false statement in any application for passport with the intent 
to induce or secue the issuance of a passport under the authority of 
the Phdippine 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 
(F60,OOO) and imprisonment of not less than [three (3) years] SIX 
(6) YEARS AND ONE (1) DAY nor more than [ten (lo)] 
TWELVE (12) years; or 
“2. Uses or attempts to use any passport which was secured in any way by 
17 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
reason of any false statements, shall be punished by a fine of not less 
than Fifteen thousand pesos Q?lS,OOO) nor more than Slxty 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 reladng ‘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 engagmg in the travel or recruitment agency business]. 
IN 
THE EVENT THAT AN OFFICER 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 F q e y :  Penaltiex -Any person who: 
“1. Falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates or alters any passport [or], 
travel document, DEPARTMENT STAMPS, or my 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 
18 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
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 prescribed 
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 (15) years: Pmvzded, however, That officers of corporations, 
agencies or entities licensed in the travel and recruitment indusq 
would be held similarly liable as theit agents, liaison officers or 
representatives: Provided, jnalh, 
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) nor more than One Million pesos (T‘l,OOO,OOO) 
and 
imprisonment of not less than seven (7) years nor more than 
seventeen (1 7) years. 
“d) OJenres Relating to Improper Use: Penahis. - Any person who wiufully 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 
‘ L  
violation of the conditions or restrictions therein contained, or of the 
rules prescribed pursuant thereto; or 
“3. Furmshes, dsposes or dehvers a passport to any person, [for use by 
another or other than the person for whose use it was oripally 
issued or designed; or] OTHER THAN THAT IN WHOSE 
NAME AND FOR WHOSE USE IT WAS ISSUED, 
19 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
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 
T O  
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 fme of 
not less than Sixty thousand pesos (760,000) nor more than One 
hundred fifty thousand pesos (7150,000) and imprisonment of not 
less than six (6) years or more than fifteen (15) 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 Mdt+le 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 h e  of not 
less than Fifteen thousand pesos (715,000) nor more than Sixty thousand pesos 
(760,000) and impkonment of not less than [eighteen months] SIX (6) YEARS 
20 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
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. 
“F) OFFENSESREALTING TO FORGERY OF WSASAND 
ENTRYDOCUMENTS PENALTIES -ANY PERSON WHO: 
11 
12 
1. 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
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 CROSSIONG 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, KNOWING IT T O  BE FORGED, 
COUNTERFEITED, ALTERED, OR FALSELY MADE, 
OR TO HAVE BEEN PROCURED BY MEANS OF ANY 
FALSE CLAIM OR STATEMENT, OR T O  HAVE BEEN 
OTHERWISE 
PROCURED 
BY 
FRAUD 
OR 
UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED: PROVIDED, THAT THE 
. 
21 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
USE OF FORGED, COUNTERFEITED, ALTERED, OR 
FALSELY MADE VISA, PERMIT, BORDER CROSSING 
CARD, ALIEN REGISTRATION CARD, OR OTHER 
ENTRY DOCUMENT SHALL BE P R I M  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 
22 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
PUNISHED BY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN SIXTY 
THOUSAND PESOS (P60,000) NOR MORE THAN ONE 
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (150,000) 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. 
Sqbension/REVOCATION .j’ 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 
AND CONFIDENCE. 
FOR THE EXERCISE OF THIS PRIVILEGE, 
TRAVEL AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SHALL BE REQUIRED T O  
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 SERVICE 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 navel or recruitment agency shall be 
prima fme evidence that the said travel or recruitment agency is the author of such 
23 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
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.” 
SEC. 11. Repealing Cluzre. -All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of thts Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Separabilz9 Clazre. - 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 Cluzse. -This Act shall take effect immediately following its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Oflcial Gap?&, whichever comes 
first. 
Appmved, 
24