Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11983)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11983 is the "New Philippine Passport Act."
Requirements include personal appearance for biometric and biographic data capture, duly accomplished application form, proof of Philippine citizenship (such as PSA-authenticated Certificate of Live Birth or Naturalization), valid proof of identity like PhilID, and if applicable, marriage or birth certificates for name changes or minors’ applications with special requirements.
Grounds include court orders to hold departure, parental authority requests, violation of the Act, criminal convictions, fugitive status, suspected terrorism charges, fraudulent acquisition or tampering of passports, and return of passports by government agencies for cancellation.
They face imprisonment of 12 years and 1 day up to 20 years and a fine between One million and Two million pesos.
Penalties include imprisonment from six years and one day to fifteen years and a fine of One hundred thousand to Two hundred fifty thousand pesos.
The DFA shall create special lanes for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, minors aged 7 and below, solo parents, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and Muslim Filipino pilgrims during their pilgrimage season.
The State protects the constitutional right to travel and ensures issuance of passports in line with international standards, using secure technologies, prescribing minimum requirements, and ensuring expedited processing.
It contains applicants’ biometric, biographic, and demographic data, records of denials, cancellations, lost or stolen passports, and other information necessary for passport processing.
Yes, government officials may hold two passports simultaneously: a regular passport for private travel and a diplomatic or official passport for official business abroad.
The DFA Secretary may waive any application requirement or fees on humanitarian grounds.
It must be immediately reported to the DFA or Foreign Service Post by submitting an affidavit detailing the circumstances; if found later, it must be turned over to the DFA.
Requiring documents beyond proof of identity, citizenship, and lack of travel restrictions constitutes unfair practice; penalties range from suspension to dismissal, criminal liability, fines, and imprisonment depending on the offense number and severity.
The offender shall be dismissed from service and perpetually disqualified from holding public office, in addition to other penalties.
It is a fund composed of service fees collected for special passport processing services used for improving DFA’s passporting and consular services, subject to audit and congressional review.
Emergency Passports (valid for one year) and Emergency Travel Certificates (valid for 30 days up to six months).
If filed by someone other than the parents, a Special Power of Attorney executed by the person exercising parental authority must be presented; guardians of foundlings need court-issued guardianship letters and DSWD clearance.