Alarming Allegations: Senator Pia Cayetano Exposes Syndicate Selling Philippine Citizenship –
Syndicate Peddling Philippine Passports to Foreigners
Senator Pia Cayetano has made a startling claim that a syndicate is operating behind the alleged issuance of legitimate Philippine passports to foreign nationals. During a hearing by the Blue Ribbon Committee on the unauthorized use of government documents by foreigners, Cayetano expressed her concerns.
“Philippine citizenship should not be for sale,” Cayetano asserted. “But from what we’re seeing, it is being sold through a syndicate.”
Suspicious Late Birth Registrations
The senator cited evidence of numerous late birth registrations of adults in certain areas, which she believes could be linked to the suspected syndicate’s activities. “Based on our discussions, it seems there is a syndicate because there are places with many late birth registrations—adults only registering at an older age,” she explained.
Hotspots for Dubious Registrations
Cayetano named Pasig, Davao del Sur, and Manila as locations with an alarmingly high number of late birth registrations, further fueling suspicions of a potential syndicate’s involvement.
Land Ownership: A Driving Force?
The senator shed light on a possible motive behind foreigners acquiring legitimate Philippine passports: land ownership. “Foreigners cannot buy land, but with a Philippine birth certificate and passport, they can purchase land,” Cayetano clarified.
A Worrying Scenario
Cayetano painted a concerning picture of the potential consequences, stating, “What if we wake up one day, and these foreigners—claiming to be Filipinos—already own most of our land?”
“The issue of land ownership cannot be resolved in a single generation,” warns legal expert Maria Lourdes Sereno, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. “If left unchecked, this syndicate could pose a severe threat to our national sovereignty and the rights of Filipino citizens.”