Sen Gatchalian files reso to probe fake birth certs in Bamban

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution 1053 on Friday to investigate fake birth certificates and abuse of the late birth registration system, particularly concerning Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Gatchalian's resolution highlights that syndicates may be behind the proliferation of fake birth certificates and the apparent abuse of the late birth registration system, with investigations revealing discrepancies in Guo’s birth certificate.

The senator noted data from the DFA, BI, and PSA indicating at least 308 fake birth certificates were used to apply for Philippine passports between January and September 2023, six involving foreign nationals who received passports.

Gatchalian also cited ongoing investigations by the PSA into around 300 incidents involving Filipinos and 65 cases involving foreigners, with the DFA preventing over a hundred attempts of foreigners using spurious documents to apply for Philippine passports.

The resolution aims to craft legislation or policy recommendations following findings that 127,919 births were registered late in 2022, suggesting possible abuse by syndicates.

An average of 972,830 Filipinos delayed their birth registrations yearly from 2013 to 2022, and about 3.7 million Filipinos did not have birth certificates due to high costs, lack of time, and lack of awareness.