Manila: Leaders of the House Quad Committee (Quadcom) have filed a bill aimed at expediting the cancellation of fraudulently obtained birth certificates by foreign nationals. The proposed legislation, known as House Bill (HB) 11117 or the ‘Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law,’ seeks to streamline the administrative process for addressing such issues, which are currently subject to lengthy judicial procedures.
According to Philippines News Agency, the bill was led by Quadcom chair Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and co-authored by several other lawmakers, including Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and other Quadcom co-chairs. The initiative is a response to concerns that fraudulent birth certificates are enabling foreign nationals to engage in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering, often linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The authors of the bill emphasized the importance of birth certif
icates as fundamental documents for Filipino citizens, granting them access to opportunities and rights unavailable to foreigners. To address the issue, the bill proposes the creation of a Special Committee on Cancellation of Fraudulent Birth Certificates, which will be chaired by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Registrar General and include members from several key government departments.
The committee’s responsibilities would include investigating complaints, issuing subpoenas, and making decisions on fraudulent birth certificates within a 30-day timeframe. Complaints can be filed by any legal-age citizen or law enforcement agency, and the process requires substantial evidence to be provided.
The bill outlines that decisions made by the committee would be immediately enforceable, although they could be appealed to the Office of the President. Additionally, the legislation includes penalties for public officials and private individuals who facilitate fraudulent registrations.
This legislative me
asure is part of a broader effort by Quadcom to address criminal activities associated with POGOs. Previous bills filed by the group include HB 10987, which proposes a nationwide ban on offshore gaming, and HB 11043, known as the ‘Civil Forfeiture Act,’ aimed at allowing the government to seize unlawfully acquired properties.
The Quadcom has also referred cases to the Office of the Solicitor General to pursue legal action against Chinese nationals accused of using fraudulent Filipino citizenship for land acquisition and business establishment. Lawmakers stress the urgency of these measures to safeguard the integrity of Filipino citizenship and put an end to unlawful activities.
