Senator Pia Cayetano urged greater coordination among government agencies following the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) plan to cancel birth certificates fraudulently acquired by foreigners in the Philippines.
As chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Cayetano emphasized the need for “proactive and sustained” collaboration between the Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs, and local government units, particularly their civil registries, to prevent similar schemes in the future.
Last year, the Senate launched an investigation into the unauthorized issuance and use of government documents by foreign nationals, including certificates of live birth, passports, and tax identification numbers.
“The hearings exposed systematic fraud in our civil registration system, particularly through the issuance of birth certificates via late registration,” Cayetano said.
The senator highlighted that foreign nationals, including those linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), exploited vulnerabilities in the registration system. She warned that this issue goes beyond fraudulent documentation and poses risks to national security.
“The cancellation of these fraudulent documents sends a clear message: Philippine citizenship is NOT for sale,” Cayetano declared.
On Thursday, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra announced plans to invalidate fraudulent birth certificates obtained by foreign nationals. This follows the government’s total ban on POGOs, which have been associated with crimes such as human trafficking, illegal detention, and financial scams.
Guevarra also revealed that the OSG was working to forfeit illegally acquired real estate and other assets owned by foreigners.
Cayetano expressed her support for the OSG’s initiative, describing it as a “decisive step” that directly addresses findings from the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings in March and August 2024.
“Our investigations revealed that Philippine citizenship was being sold, with some foreign nationals paying up to P300,000 for fake government IDs,” she said.
Several senators have also welcomed the OSG’s plan, calling it a critical measure to uphold the integrity of government systems.
In his third State of the Nation Address in July 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced a total ban on POGOs, citing their involvement in criminal activities.
The President later issued Executive Order No. 74, which extended the ban to include illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, renewals, and the cessation of existing operations. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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