Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for stronger powers for the Philippine Statistics Authority to combat the alarming rise of fake birth certificates in the country.
“The law needs to be updated and make it more relevant today, as penalties for violations are currently too minimal and outdated,” he said.
On January 14, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 2914 which seeks to modernize the civil registration system and replace the Philippine Law on Registry of Civil Status, enacted 94 years ago.
The senator said the bill includes provisions on delayed registration, stiffer penalties for violators, and other updates necessary to improve the system and deter misuse of outdated practices.
“We need to address this issue because if we don’t, fake birth certificates will continue to be issued, allowing individuals to buy land, start businesses, or even run for public office, as seen in the case of Alice Guo,” Gatchalian said.
The senator expressed concern over how fraudulent birth certificates can be used for illegal activities, noting the PSA has already blocked 1,627 suspicious birth certificates linked to foreign nationals.
“We need to find a balance because if the rules are too strict, our fellow citizens living in remote areas will struggle. However, if it is too easy to obtain a birth certificate, those who want to take advantage of the system may find a way to do so,” he said.