Track down fraudulent birth certificates related to POGOs – senator

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

The loophole allowed foreigners to acquire Filipino citizenship without undergoing the naturalization process, enabling them to purchase properties and establish businesses in the country, lamented Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – One of the critical weaknesses revealed during the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was the easy acquisition of fraudulent birth certificates through late registration.

The loophole allowed foreigners to acquire Filipino citizenship without undergoing the naturalization process, enabling them to purchase properties and establish businesses in the country, lamented Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday.

“This weakness enabled foreigners to become instant Filipinos without going through the naturalization process which in turn enabled them to buy properties and even startup businesses,” Gatchalian said in a news release.

“These fraudulent birth certificates should immediately be tracked down and canceled, so that these criminals will no longer have a basis to stay in the country,” he added.

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) earlier announced plans to cancel all birth certificates fraudulently acquired by foreigners in the Philippines, following the government’s ban on POGOs.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra confirmed in a statement that the OSG will focus on identifying and invalidating fraudulent birth certificates obtained by foreign nationals.

In addition, the OSG aims to seize real properties and other assets illegally acquired by foreigners.