House approves bill extending passport validity to 10 years

The present law refers to passport as “a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to give him/her all lawful aid and protection.” (Photo: Jerick Parrone/ Flickr)

MANILA –The House of Representatives on Monday night approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to lengthen the validity of the Philippine passport from five years to 10 years.

With 216 votes on the affirmative, zero negative votes and zero abstention, the lower chamber passed House Bill No. 4767, which introduces an amendment to the Philippine Passport Law (Republic Act 8239) that will extend the passport’s validity.

Under Section 10 of RA 8239, the passport is valid for a period of five years, regardless of the age of the applicant.

The present law refers to passport as “a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to give him/her all lawful aid and protection.”