PSA to probe issuance of birth certificates to foreigners

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is launching its own probe over the alleged issuance of authentic birth certificates to foreign nationals which enabled them to get Philippine passports.

The issue was brought to light during the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday, who flagged information about 10 foreigners with Philippine passports.

The alleged issuance of birth certificates to foreigners compelled the Senate to recall its approval of the proposed budget of the PSA next year.

Sought for comment, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said, “The PSA will conduct its own internal investigation on the alleged issuance of birth certificates to foreign nationals.”

“Any persons found responsible for issuing these documents will face the fullest extent of the law,” Mapa said.

The PSA chief said the agency is enhancing safeguards in its procedures across all PSA offices to improve security measures in our civil registry system.

“The PSA will continue to collaborate with other government agencies and partners to provide validation for the authenticity of PSA-issued civil registry documents,” he said.

On the Senate recall of its approved budget for 2024, Mapa said the PSA respects the upper chamber’s decision of “amid the ongoing investigation of the alleged issuance of documents to foreign nationals.”

Nonetheless, he said the PSA assures the Senate and the public that “we are committed to the highest levels of security and accuracy in our civil registration records.”

“The PSA serves as the central repository of civil registry documents that originate from the Local Civil Registry Offices and Philippine Foreign Service Posts,” Mapa said.

“The PSA assures the public and the Senate its full cooperation on the matter,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News