In a statement on Wednesday, Hontiveros reiterated her stand against this supposed scheme, calling it an offense to Filipino identity.听
鈥淧hilippine passports are not for sale. No foreign national should treat this official document as mere commodity. This is an offense to our Filipino identity, our history, and our national dignity,鈥� said Hontiveros.听
鈥淲e are currently looking into information that foreign nationals allegedly pay P500,000 per passport,鈥� she added.
Hontiveros, however, did not give more details on the reports her office received.听
Hontiveros, in the same statement, said she trusts that the Office of the Ombudsman will thoroughly investigate and 鈥済et to the bottom of the issue.鈥�
Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday said听 that his office is eyeing to conduct a motu proprio investigation on the alleged issuance of Philippine passports and other legal documents to foreigners.听
Hontiveros recalled that in her previous committee hearings, it was revealed that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) are also paving the way for Chinese Pogo workers to obtain government-issued identification cards.听
Similar to the previous statements of her fellow senators, Hontiveros branded the scheme as a 鈥渟erious national security concern.鈥�
鈥淣ow that China is far from dialing down on her aggression in the West Philippine Sea, she may be taking advantage of our porous borders, our weakened institutions, and our own corrupt officials to advance her interests. Let us all remain vigilant. Let鈥檚 not just let in foreigners who claim to be our own,鈥� she said, partly in Filipino.