Gatchalian files bill to modernize civil registration, curb fake citizenship claims

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed the Philippine Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Act, a bill aiming to modernize the country's civil registration system and prevent foreign nationals from fraudulently obtaining Philippine citizenship.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a streamlined civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system to accurately determine an individual's identity for legal and administrative purposes.

Gatchalian cited the controversial case of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, as a primary motivation for the bill, stating, "Gusto natin ng bagong CRVS system para wala nang sumulpot na isa na namang Alice Guo, 'yung nagpapanggap na Pilipino at gustong makapasok sa gobyerno para manloko."

The measure significantly raises penalties for forging civil registry documents, providing false information during registration, and aiding the production of fraudulent records.

Additionally, it includes penalties for failing to report vital events and for health facilities that refuse to report births.

Gatchalian stressed that the current penalties for violations are outdated and insufficient.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that as of November 2024, at least 1,627 suspicious birth certificates linked to foreign nationals have been flagged, with 18 cases referred to the Office of the Solicitor General for cancellation.