By Jess Diaz
Philippine Star
The House of Representatives has proposed that passports be good for 10 instead of five years.
The proposal is contained in Bill 5854, which lawmakers have approved on third and final reading. The measure seeks to amend the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.
Under the bill, a Filipino applying for a passport would have the option of choosing either a five-year or 10-year validity of his travel document.
Authors of the measure said this would obviate the need for passport holders, particularly those frequently traveling abroad or those working abroad for long periods, to renew their passports every five years.
The bill also expands the list of former and incumbent officials who can apply for diplomatic passports.
The expanded list would include former Senate presidents, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, associate justices of the Supreme Court, presiding justice of the Court of Appeals, secretary of the Senate, and secretary-general of the House.
The current law does not entitle these former and incumbent officials to diplomatic passports. Only former presidents and vice presidents are given such privilege.
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