Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1894

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON, TEODORO G. MONTORO

AN ACT AMENDING THE PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996 INCREASING THE
VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS FROM FIVE (5) YEARS TO TEN (10) YEARS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Most of the travelling Filipinos, whether on vacation or work, have lamented that the
validity of passports seem to be too short at five (5) years. Even Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs) who regularly travel to various countries complain that their deployment abroad is
sometimes affected by the short validity of their passports which are needed in their employment
applications or renewals. OFWs are usually obliged to travel to areas where their passports can
be renewed with cost and also incur additional expenses in so doing.

The President of the Republic of the Philippines himself stated in several occasions that
there is a need to amend the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, particularly on the provision
pertaining to passport validity. He stated that because of the short validity of Philippine
passports, ordinary Filipinos are forced to apply for passport renewals from time to time thereby
experiencing long queues under uncomfortable circumstances.

The 1987 Constitution likewise provides for the protection of the basic rights of Filipinos
to travel without hitches. Specifically, Sec. 8 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the right to
travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety or public
health as may be provided by law. Indeed, passport validity with short period will adversely
affect the traveling requirements of Filipinos

It is for these reasons that there is a need to amend Republic Act No. 8239, particularly,
the provision on passport validity.

REP. TEODORO G. MONTORO
AASENSO Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

1894

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON, TEODORO G. MONTORO-

AN ACT AMENDING THE PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996 INCREASING THE
VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS FROM FIVE (5) YEARS TO TEN (10) YEARS

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

SECTION 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8239, also known as the “Philippine Passport Act
of 1996” is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 10. Validity — Regular passports issued under this Act shall be valid to a period of
ten (10) years: Provided, however, that the issuing authority may limit the period of
validity to less than ten (10) years in the interest of national security and national
economy; 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

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive and administrative orders or parts thereof,
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation

Approved,