Ombudsman to probe foreigners with Philippine passports

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman will investigate the issuance of authentic Philippine passports to foreigners.

“We still have to investigate who are the people involved in the issuance of passports and IDs. We have to distinguish the jurisdiction of DOJ (Department of Justice),” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said.

During Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency and National Security Council on Nov. 13, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he might push for harsher measures against government officials issuing Philippine passports, licenses and other legal documents to foreigners.

“My suggestion is for the Senate to spearhead a law increasing the fines, penalties and jail terms for government agencies giving out these legal documents to unscrupulous individuals,” Zubiri said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee earlier agreed to investigate reports that Chinese, Korean and Thai nationals managed to secure Philippine passports and other government-issued identification cards, which it considers an issue of national security.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, the Blue Ribbon committee’s chairman, earlier said that foreigners could even secure gun permits.