Legal experts in the Philippines warned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that those who use their passport as collateral in exchange of money can be held liable under the Passport Act of 1996.
In a report of ABS-CBN news, experts reminded OFWs about this law, which states that the government entrusted passports to its citizen. Hence, it has the power to take it back.
The government can also immediately cancel these passports, and if violators will try to re-apply for a new one, they could only get 5 year validity.
Violators may also be fined by Php60,000 to Php150,000. They could also face imprisonment for 6-15 years.
The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong recently revealed than 1,000 Philippine passports were confiscated after it was discovered that they are being used as collateral.
