MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Monday is pushing for tougher penalties and stronger regulatory powers for the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to address the alarming rise of fraudulent birth certificates in the country.

Senator Win Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 2914, seeking to empower the PSA and establish a comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics system. 

The bill aims to repeal the nearly century-old Philippine Law on Registry of Civil Status and introduce provisions to modernize and secure the registration process.

“The law needs to be updated and make it more relevant today, as penalties for violations are currently too minimal and outdated,” Gatchalian said, adding the need to improve the system and prevent the misuse of antiquated practices.

The senator said that it is important to address loopholes in the civil registration system, particularly to deter fraudulent acts. 

“Kailangang gawin ito dahil kung hindi natin ito gagawin, maraming may pekeng birth certificate ang pwede pa ring ma-issue at ang mga taong meron nito ay pwedeng makabili ng lupa, magtayo ng negosyo, at tumakbo sa politika kagaya ng ginawa ni Alice Guo,” he said.

Under current laws, knowingly making false statements related to civil registration is punishable by imprisonment of one to six months, a fine ranging from P200 to P500, or both—penalties that are deemed inadequate, according to the Senate. 

He is considering raising the penalties to discourage such fraudulent activities.

The issue gained prominence following the discovery that former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s birth certificate was fraudulently obtained. 

According to Gatchalian, the PSA has since blocked 1,627 suspicious birth certificates linked to foreign nationals, 18 of which have been endorsed to the Office of the Solicitor General for cancellation. 

An additional 50,532 birth certificates are under audit for possible falsification and irregularities.

Aside from fake registrations, Gatchalian pointed out the challenges faced by millions of Filipinos without birth certificates. Around 3.7 million Filipinos, or 3.4 percent of the population, remain unregistered, predominantly from marginalized communities. Adding to the problem, 14.9 million late birth registrations were recorded between 2010 and 2024.

“Kailangan nating balansehin dahil kung sobrang higpit, mahihirapan ‘yung mga kababayan nating nakatira sa malalayong lugar pero kung sobrang dali namang makakuha ng birth certificate ay makakalusot ang mga gustong mang-abuso,” Gatchalian said.