Senator Risa Hontiveros is looking into information that foreign nationals allegedly pay P500,000 to get a Philippine passport, a legal document reserved only for Filipinos.

The senator said the Ombudsman must investigate this matter exhaustively and get to the bottom of the issue.

“Mukhang may mga ahensya ng gobyerno na kailangan maglinis ng bakuran kasi ang daming nagkakalat,” she said.

“Philippine passports are NOT for sale. No foreign national should treat this official document as mere commodity. This is an offense to our Filipino identity, our history, and our national dignity,” she underscored.

Republic Act No. 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 states that, “Passport means a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to give him/her all lawful aid and protection.”

Hontiveros emphasized that during the Senate Committee on Women hearing on POGO- (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) related crimes, it was revealed that government-issued IDs are easily given to Chinese POGO workers, which they then use to get a Philippine passport.

“Naibunyag ko na rin sa hearing na may mga ads na nagbebenta ng ating mga birth certificate, voters ID, passport, at iba pa, para sa mga Chinese nationals,” she said.

“This is a serious national security concern. Now that China is far from dialing down on her aggression in the West Philippine Sea, she may be taking advantage of our porous borders, our weakened institutions, and our own corrupt officials to advance her interests,” the senator warned.

Hontiveros called on the people to remain vigilant, saying, “Huwag nating basta-basta papasukin ang mga dayuhang inaangkin ang sariling atin.

Photo: Sen. Risa Hontiveros FB