Bill to cancel fraudulent birth certificates of foreigners submitted to the House of Representatives

House Quad Committee leaders on Wednesday introduced a bill to revoke birth certificates fraudulently obtained by foreigners, including those involved in illegal drug operations and other criminal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

By filing House Bill (HB) No. 11117 or the “Fraudulent Cancellation of Birth Certificates Act,” lawmakers seek to establish an administrative process for the cancellation of false birth certificates, noting that the current process requires a court order, which has taken years can take.

“A birth certificate is the most basic document that a Philippine citizen must have,” the bill’s explanatory memorandum said.

“It is a document that gives the stamp of the state that an individual is Filipino and opens up for the individual vast opportunities not available to foreigners, such as practicing a profession, engaging in certain businesses or even running for office for public office.” said.

Senior Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives Dong Gonzales Jr.; Vice Chairman Jay-Jay Suarez; Quad Comm Chairmen Robert Ace Barbers, Bienvenido Abante Jr., Dan Fernandez and Joseph Stephen Paduano; and Quad Comm Vice Chairman Romeo Acop filed the measure.

According to the bill, a special commission for cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates would be established. It would be tasked with investigating complaints, subpoenaing evidence and making decisions on fraudulent birth certificates within 30 days of receiving the evidence.

It would be headed by the Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), whose members include the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General.

Complaints may be filed by any legal age citizen or law enforcement agency and must include specific evidence such as the name of the alien, the details of the fraudulent birth certificate and the circumstances of its acquisition.

The alien would have 15 days to respond to the complaint, after which the commission would hold hearings and decide based on substantial evidence.

Decisions would be immediately enforceable, but could be appealed to the Office of the President, which must resolve the appeal within 30 days.

Government officials and private individuals involved in facilitating fraudulent registrations will be punished under the proposed law.

This is the third bill to emerge from the Quad Comm investigations.

Earlier this month, HB 11043, or the proposed “Civil Forfeiture Act,” was filed, which aims to authorize the government to seize real estate illegally acquired by foreigners, especially those associated with POGOs.

Also filed was HB 10987, or the “Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act,” which aims to institutionalize a nationwide POGO ban, reinforcing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive. to protect public safety and national security from criminal activities associated with POGOs.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News