House OKs 10-year passport validity

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives voted last night to approve on third and final reading a measure that seeks to extend the current five-year validity of Philippine passports to 10 years.

Presided over by House Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, 216 lawmakers gave their imprimatur to House Bill 4767 which former president and now House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former veteran actress and now Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto authored.

A copy of the measure was forwarded to the Senate for separate approval, and a bicameral conference committee will be convened once both chambers approve the consolidated bill, which will then be forwarded to President Duterte for final approval.

“Regular passports issued under this Act (Passport Act) shall be valid a period of 10 years; provided however that the issuing authority may limit the period of validity to less than 10 years, whenever in the national economic interest or political stability of the country such restriction is necessary, or in the case of minors below 18 years of age,” a portion of the bill stated.