Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 1157)
Passports may be canceled if the Filipino citizen is facing charges in a Philippine court and has absconded from the Philippines to evade criminal prosecution, or if it is determined that the citizen is actively engaged in a criminal conspiracy to seize political or state power by force, or is violating Philippine laws while residing or sojourning in a foreign country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is directed to cancel or cause the cancellation of passports issued to Filipino citizens under the specified conditions.
If upon investigation and hearing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine consulate, or based on classified information from the Ministry of National Defense, the citizen is found to be actively engaged in a criminal conspiracy to seize political or state power in the Philippines by force or violence.
Yes, it authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue the necessary rules and regulations for the proper and effective implementation.
To compel Filipino citizens who are involved in illegal activities abroad or have absconded criminal prosecution to return to the Philippines to be held answerable before Philippine courts.
Yes, the instructions are to take effect immediately upon issuance.
Yes, the Ministry can act upon classified information from the Ministry of National Defense in deciding passport cancellations.
The Letter specifies that cancellation may occur upon investigation and hearing conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the proper Philippine consulate, implying a procedural step before cancellation.