Syndicate behind PH passport issuance to foreigners–Pia Cayetano

IS PH CITIZENSHIP FOR SALE?: Sen. Pia Cayetano presides over the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing to shed light on reports of unauthorized proliferation and use of government documents by foreign nationals such as certificate of live birth (COLB), passport and tax identification number (TIN). During Wednesday’s hearing March 13, 2024, Cayetano expressed alarm, saying this poses danger and threat to national security. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Pia Cayetano is convinced that a syndicate is operating behind the alleged issuance of legitimate Philippine passports to foreign nationals.

Speaking at the blue ribbon committee’s hearing on unauthorized proliferation and use of government documents by foreigners, Cayetano said it is saddening that Philippine citizenship is now being sold.

“I think ang mahalagang mensahe natin eh hindi dapat nabibili ang pagka Pilipino. Pero sa nakikita natin, nabibili siya. Nabibili siya sa pamamagitan ng sindikato,” said Cayetano.

(I think the important message is that Philippine citizenship should not be sold. But from what we’re seeing, it is being sold. It is sold through a syndicate.)

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“Kami po, doon lang sa konting kwentuhan, parang conclusion natin is mukha namang may sindikato dahil may mga lugar na doon maraming nagre-register ng late birth — ‘yung adult na sila, may edad na sila, saka pa lang sila magpapa-register,” she added.

(Based on a few talks, it seems that the conclusion is that there is a syndicate because there are places in the country where there are many late birth registrations—those who are already adults and yet they are only applying for registration.)

Cayetano said that Pasig, Davao del Sur, and Manila are included in the list of locations that have the “most number of late birth registrations.”

‘Land ownership’

The senator then explained that a reason foreigners would want to own legitimate Philippine passports could be because of land ownership.

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“It was brought up na ang foreigner, hindi siya makakabili ng lupa pero kung may hawak ka nang Philippine birth certificate and passport, then makakabili ka na ng lupa,” Cayetano explained.

(Foreigners cannot buy land, but with a Philippine birth certificate and passport, they can buy land.)

She then emphasized that land problems cannot be solved in one generation. It then prompted her to wonder: “What if we wake up one day and these foreigners – who are claiming to be Filipinos – already own most of our land?”