Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
_ Regular Sessjop`
REife
HOUSE BILL
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MIIAGROS AQUINO -lvIAGSAYSAY
AN ACT GRANTING LIFETIME VAL.DITY OF PASSPORTS
ISSuED TO FILIPINO SENIOR CITIZENS
AMEND.NG REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
"PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT 0F 1996"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This  bill seeks to grant lifetime validity or no expiration  period  for Philippine  passports  issued  to
Filipino senior citizens.
A  Philippine  passport is  not just an  official  travel  document,  but a valid  and  legal  proof of one's
Filipino  citizenship.  However,  in  the  twilight of their years,  senior citizens  must  be  allowed  to  enjoy the
remainder of their lives  enjoying travel  and  freedom  of movement without the tedious  and  inconvenient
process of having to renew their passports regulariy. As such, it is proposed, provided that senior citizens
are  able  to  prove  their current  Filipino  citizenship,  having  never renounced  such,  or having  re-acquired
Filipino citizenship through  proper procedures after having lost it, any issuance or succeeding  renewal of
their passport shall henceforth have a lifetime validity.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
H655EE:#'aro:ests73
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO -MAGSAYSAY
AN ACT GRANTING L.FETllvIE VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS
ISSuED TO FILIPINO SENIOR CITIZENS
AIVIENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
"PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996"
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,  otherwise  known  as  the  Philippine  Passport
Act of 1996, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SECTION  10.  Va//.di.fy. -  Regular  passports  issued  under  this  Act  shall  be  valid  for  a
period  of five  (5) years: Provi.ted,  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 restriction is necessary: Provt.bed,  #na//y, That a new passport
may be issued to replace one which validity has expired, the old passport being returned to
the holder after cancellation.
With  the  exception  of  Filipino  senior  citizens  applying  for  the  issuance  of,  or  renewal  of
their  Philippine  passports,   which   shall   have  a   "lifetime"  validity  period   already,   or  no
expiration  date  once  issued.  Provided,  that  the  senior  citizens  are  able  to  prove  their
Filipino  citizenship,  never  having  lost  it,  or  having  lost  it,  has  properly  been  re-acquired
through required legal procedures.
SECTION   3.   Separability   clause  -   lf  any  portion   or  provision   of  this  Act  is   declared   invalid   or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders,  rules or regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION  5.  Effectivity  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  publication  in  the  Official
Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.
Approved