Statement of Policy
- Recognizes the constitutional right of Filipinos to travel as inviolable.
- Government duty to issue passports or travel documents to qualified individuals.
- Travel rights may only be limited for national security, public safety, or health reasons.
- Minimum requirements and expedited procedures for passport issuance are mandated.
Definitions
- Department: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
- Secretary: Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
- Post: Philippine diplomatic/consular posts (Embassy/Consulate).
- Passport: Document issued to Filipino citizens for safe travel abroad.
- Travel Document: Issued to persons whose citizenship is doubtful or fall under specific categories, valid for short periods or particular trips.
- Supporting Documents: Papers required to prove Filipino citizenship for passport application.
- Ambassadors: Chiefs of mission who have served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
Authority to Issue, Deny, Restrict, or Cancel Passports
- Secretary of Foreign Affairs or authorized consular officers may issue, verify, restrict, cancel or refuse passports.
- Actions must consider national security, public safety, and public health.
- Decisions require due hearing and proper discretion.
- Refusal or cancellation does not affect citizenship status.
- Travel Documents can be issued for safe return if passport is denied or canceled.
Requirements for Passport Issuance
- Completed application form and prescribed photographs.
- Birth certificate authenticated by the Civil Registrar General or delayed registration certification if birth unregistered.
- Baptismal or equivalent religious certificate with affidavits if birth certificate unavailable.
- Marriage or relevant civil documents for married, separated, divorced, or widowed women.
- Naturalization certificate for naturalized citizens or spouse/parent.
- Affidavits of consent and DSWD clearance for minors traveling without parents.
- Adoption court orders and related documents with DSWD authorization for adopted persons.
- Name discrepancies resolved in favor of birth certificate or court order.
- Official passports require travel authority for government employees.
Application Procedures
- Applicants must apply in person for first-time passports.
- Parents or legal guardians can apply for minors.
- Renewal applications may be filed through accredited licensed travel agencies responsible for document authenticity.
Types of Passports Issued
- Diplomatic Passport: For highest officials (President, Vice-President, justices, cabinet members, ambassadors, etc.) and family members accompanying official missions.
- Official Passport: For officials and employees on official but non-diplomatic missions and domestic staff assigned abroad.
- Regular Passport: For citizens not eligible for diplomatic or official passports, including private travel.
- Officials and family members may hold two passports simultaneously under certain conditions.
Grounds for Denial, Cancellation, or Restriction
- Denial: Court orders preventing departure due to pending criminal cases, requests by guardians for minors, violations of the Act, or other legal disqualifications.
- Cancellation: Holders who are fugitives, convicted criminals (passport can be restored post-sentence), or who acquired passports fraudulently.
- Restriction: Travel to politically unstable countries, countries with severed diplomatic ties, or war zones.
Appeals Process
- Aggrieved persons may appeal decisions to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
- Judicial review available through courts.
Passport Validity
- Regular passports valid for five years, but validity period may be shortened for national interest or political stability.
- Expired passports are replaced upon return of the old passport.
Passport Ownership
- Passports remain government property; holders are mere possessors.
- Surrender allowed only to government or representatives.
- Voluntary surrender for safekeeping at Philippine Service Posts is permitted with receipt issuance.
Passport Name Protocol
- Passports contain full names without titles or job descriptions.
- Court-ordered name changes require submission of court certification.
Travel Documents
- Issued in lieu of passports to:
- Filipinos returning without a passport or unable to obtain one.
- Filipino deportees.
- Alien spouses and dependents not yet naturalized.
- Permanent resident aliens unable to secure travel documents.
- Stateless persons or recognized refugees with permanent residency.
Amendments to Passports
- Passport amendments allowed for lawful purposes with approval.
- Diplomatic and official passports require revalidation before each departure.
Procedures for Lost or Destroyed Passports
- Immediate reporting to DFA or Philippine Post required.
- Submission of detailed affidavit on circumstances of loss/destruction.
- Notification to National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration.
- Fifteen-day waiting period before re-issuance unless waived under certain conditions.
- Issuance of Travel Document may be allowed for foreigners abroad.
- Lost passports, if found, must be destroyed or returned.
Passport Fees
- Fees collected for processing, issuance, amendment, replacement, or Travel Documents.
- Fee adjustments limited to once every three years.
Passport Revolving Fund
- Up to Php 250 service fee for expedited or special passport services.
- Funds used solely for improving passport and consular services.
- Subject to audit and congressional oversight.
Waiver of Requirements
- Secretary of Foreign Affairs has sole authority to waive passport application requirements.
Offenses and Penalties
- Various offenses include unauthorized issuance, false statements, forgery, improper use, and possession of multiple passports.
- Penalties consist of fines ranging from Php 15,000 to Php 1,000,000 and imprisonment from 18 months to 17 years.
- Additional sanctions for travel and recruitment agencies’ violations.
- Heavier penalties under the Revised Penal Code apply if relevant.
Suspension of Travel/Recruitment Agency Accreditation
- Accredited agencies submitting spurious or forged documents face suspension and other sanctions.
- Prima facie evidence of agency culpability if supporting documents are falsified.
Rulemaking Authority
- Secretary must issue implementing rules and regulations within 60 days of the Act’s effectivity.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision or application does not affect the remainder of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Conflicting laws, decrees, orders, rules, or regulations are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in at least five newspapers or the Official Gazette.