PHL Embassy in Thailand issues guidelines on multiple lost passports

Philippine officials in Thailand reminded the Filipino community there of guidelines on the replacement of "multiple lost passports."   The Philippine Embassy in Thailand issued the guidelines a week after it warned Filipinos there against using their passports as guarantees for loans.   "A passport may not be issued to someone who has declared two lost passports consecutively within a two-year period pending an investigation conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs," Consul General Edgar Badajos cited one of the guidelines.   When three or more passports were declared lost consecutively within a two-year period, no passport shall be issued until the applicant is investigated and cleared by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).   However, if the NBI investigation is not conclusive, a passport may be issued to the applicant only upon the expiration of the latest passport he declared lost.   On the other hand, in case of an emergency where the subject of a case has to travel abroad, he may be temporarily issued a passport with one-year validity.   "The Bureau of Immigration shall be informed of cases of multiple lost passports for inclusion in their watch list," Badajos said.   Badajos' reminders came a week after Philippine officials in Thailand reminded Filipinos there that using passports as guarantees for loans is against Philippine law.   In an announcement on its website a week earlier, the Philippine Embassy said those who use their passports as guarantees risk having the passports canceled.   "Ang pagbabalewala sa paalalang ito, katulad ng paggamit ng pasaporte bilang garantiya sa anumang pagkakautang, ay maaring maging dahilan upang makansela ang inyong pasaporte," it said.   Under Section 11 of Republic Act 8239, a Philippine passport "remains at all times the property of the Government, the holder being a mere possessor thereof as long as it is valid and the same may not be surrendered to any person or entity other than the government or its representative."   It provides, however, that a Filipino citizen may voluntarily surrender his/her passport to a Philippine Service Post for storage and safekeeping for which a proper receipt shall be issued for use when reclaiming the passport at a later date.   Section 19 (d) of the act also penalizes improper use with a fine of P60,000 to P150,000, and imprisonment of six to 15 years.   The embassy said those with questions may contact it via 02-259-0139 local 127, 122-124; or email it at bangkokpe@gmail.com. - VVP, GMA News