Howse: OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines pare, 83 AUG 2016
Congress of the PI = OMe
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE: Too _6 KP

Quezon City | BY: Pla
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS | RESISTRATION UNIT
First Regular Session BILLS ANU INDEX SERVICE

House Bill No, _@ 499)

Introduced by: Representative Manuel Jose M. Dalipe

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to formally extend the validity of the Philippine Passport from
the present period of five (5) years to ten (10) years for the purpose of easing the burden
of Filipinos in the current lengthy processes during passport renewal

The Philippine passport is considered as an official document issued by the
Philippine government to its citizens, thereby requesting other governments to allow
Filipinos to pass safely and freely, and provide protection in case needed. It also affords
protection to Filipinos whenever they need help or assistance of the concerned
diplomatic and consular officer of the Republic of the Philippines abroad

Hence, it is imperative that Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the
Philippine Passport Act of 1996, should be amended insofar as the extension of the
validity of the passport from five (5) years to ten (10) years purposely to unburden
passport applicants from the inconvenience of long period in securing and renewal of
passports subject to the revised applicable passport fee under the circumstances

The provisions requiring the validity of the passport of minors or those below
18 years old as five (5) years due to the significant changes in their physical profile and
appearance which should be reflected in the identification page of their passports shall
remain in force and effect

In view of the foregoing reasons, approval of this is earnestly sought.

MANUEL JOSE

Representative, 2" Distrity ZaAboanga City


Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

24

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Representative Manuel Jose M. Dalipe

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT 8239, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996”
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION L. Section 10 of Republic Act 8239 is hereby amended as follows:

“SEC 10. Validity. ~ Regular passports issued under this Act shall be valid for
a period of [five (5)] TEN (10) years: Provided, however, That the issuing
authority may limit the period of validity to less than [five (5)] TEN (10) years
whenever [in the interest or political stability of the country such restriction is
necessary] 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: 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],”

“THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE TEN (10)-YEAR VALIDITY
PASSPORTS WITHIN TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF
THIS ACT, AS AMENDED: PROVIDED, THAT FOR INDIVIDUALS
UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE, ONLY A PASSPORT WITH A
FIVE (5)-YEAR VALIDITY SHALL BE ISSUED.”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SEC. 3. 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. 4. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately following its
complete and full publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation

Approved,