The previous statement of Malacanang requiring old or current Philippine passport holders to bring their birth certificate when renewing was eliminated today.
The Malacanang clarified that there is no need to present birth certificates to Philippine passport holders during the renewal. The issue is brought to light after news broke out that a passport production contractor got pissed off and ran away with personal data of applicants.
On Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana finally confirmed the said issue and revealed that the personal database was indeed taken by the company, according to Manila Bulletin.
“It is a security concern. I believe this happened several years ago. The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is looking into it and I am sure they will come up with an appropriate solution so that nothing of this sort happens again,” says Lorenzana.
“It is a very grave security concern and quiet alarming. These are personal information such as full name, date and place of birth and other information that could be used illegally,” he further added.
Because of the matter, the DFA had to “rebuild” their database for passports which was issued since 2010. Locsin also claims that passports holders who applied before 2009 will no longer have to submit a copy of their certificate of live birth.
But this idea is strongly objected by Panelo.
“Applicants should not be burdened by submitting original copies of their certificates of live birth, obtaining which requires another application process before the Philippine Statistics Authority, to renew their passports just because the producer lost their relevant data,” says Panelo.
“The submission of the old or current passport which the applicant seeks to renew should suffice for the purpose. The ongoing practice is not only cumbersome to everyone affected but is a form of red tape which this administration frowns upon and will not tolerate,” he added.
