PHQUAD COMM LEADERS FILE BILL TO CANCEL FRAUDULENT BIRTH CERTIFICATES OBTAINED BY FOREIGNERS
Leaders of the historic House Quad Committee filed a bill to create an administrative process for swiftly canceling birth certificates fraudulently acquired by foreign nationals.
Filed on Wednesday, November 20, the measure targets those linked to îllégâl drug operations and other crimes associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
House Bill (HB) No. 11117, or the proposed "Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law," is the third legislative initiative stemming from the Quad Comm's investigation into alleged criminal activities by foreigners, including the use of fake documents.
House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., House Deputy Speaker David "Jay-Jay" Suarez, and House Quad Comm Chairpersons Robert Ace Barbers, Bienvenido Abante Jr., Dan Fernandez, and Joseph Stephen "Caraps" Paduano, along with Vice Chairperson Romeo Acop, introduced the bill.
Other co-authors include Reps. Johnny Ty Pimentel, Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, Rodge Gutierrez, Francisco Paolo Ortega V, Jay Khonghun, Jonathan Keith Flores, Jil Bongalon, Margarita "Atty. Migs" Nograles, Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Joel Chua, Zia Alonto Adiong, Lordan Suan, and Cheeno Miguel Almario.
"A birth certificate is the most basic document a Filipino citizen must have. It provides the imprimatur of the State that an individual is a Filipino and opens vast opportunities unavailable to foreigners," the authors stated in their explanatory note.
The bill follows revelations that thousands of foreigners have fraudulently obtained Philippine birth certificates. In Davao del Sur alone, over 1,200 fake certificates were issued by the local civil registrar as of July 2024, likely with the involvement of local officials.
Lawmakers highlighted the inefficiency of current procedures, which require a lengthy judicial order to cancel fraudulent birth certificates. This delay, they said, allows foreign nationals to continue engaging in crimes like drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking.
"This sad state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue," the lawmakers insisted.
The proposed law would establish a Special Committee on Cancellation of Fraudulent Birth Certificates, chaired by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Registrar General. The committee, with members from various government departments, would have the authority to investigate, subpoena evidence, and make decisions within 30 days.
Complaints could be filed by any legal-age citizen or law enforcement agency, requiring evidence such as the foreign national's name, fraudulent birth certificate details, and acquisition circumstances. The accused foreign national would have 15 days to respond before hearings are conducted. Decisions would be immediately executory but appealable to the Office of the President, which must resolve appeals within 30 days.
The bill also introduces penalties for public officials and private individuals who facilitate fraudulent birth registrations.
"It is time to put an end to these unlawful activities," the authors declared.