The Philippine government is now moving towards ease in Philippine passport applications, providing digitized and mobile passport services.
This, after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act.
Under RA 11983, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is tasked with the establishment and maintenance of digitized passport applications, including an online application portal, an electronic one-stop shop through the DFA official website, and “mobile passport services” aside from the consular and DFA offices.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the law also provides for the foreign affairs department in the arrangement of accommodation for senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, minors, and solo parents, including those with applicants with “emergency and exceptional cases” with regular passport applications.
“Regarding the penalties in the application, use, and handling of new passports, the law states that any person or entity without legal authority who confiscates, retains, or withholds any passport issued by the DFA shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than 12 years and shall pay a fine of not less than PhP1 million but not more than PhP2 million,” according to the PCO.
Forgery and imroper use of passports and other documents will mete a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P250,000 and 15 years of imprisonment.
Offenses related to passport issuance will face six years of imprisonment but not more than 12- years and a fine of P100,000 but not more than P250,000.
Discriminatory issuance of passports will result in suspension and dismissal from services and will be fined P250,000 and a maximum of six years imprisonment.
On the other hand, regular passports are issued to Filipino citizens who are not eligible or entitled to diplomatic or official passports, including government officials or employees going abroad for pleasure or other personal reasons.
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