Combatting the country’s problem on the proliferation of fake government documents and exposing the lapses in the regulation of tobacco products were among the accomplishments of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in 2024, Senator Pia Cayetano said.
Cayetano, chairperson of the blue ribbon panel, also known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, recalled that in March and August, the committee uncovered the systemic fraud involving fake birth certificates, passports, and other government-issued documents illegally used by foreign nationals.
In particular, Cayetano said recalled that in one hearing, it was revealed that 54 out of 1,501 questionable birth certificates in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, belonged to individuals with foreign parents, with suspiciously identical handwriting pointing to organized fraud.
The panel also found similar issues in other cities, with Manila, Caloocan, Quezon City, Pasay, and Pasig which topped the list of areas with fake documents.
Cayetano called such scheme a “sale of Philippine citizenship,” lamenting that it undermines the country’s sovereignty and raises serious national security concerns.
The panel eventually learned how fraudulent documents—particularly fake passports—harm overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), whose livelihoods depend on these critical documents.
“It is the State’s duty to protect and maintain the integrity and credibility of passports and travel documents,” Cayetano said.
Also in February and April, the blue ribbon panel, launched an inquiry into the alleged failure of the government to defend the country’s health interests during the Workd Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) Conference of Parties (COP10).
Cayetano particularly criticized the 34-member delegation for the 10th WHO-FCTC, delaying key provisions requiring the testing and disclosure of tobacco product contents.
This failure earned the Philippines its fifth “Dirty Ashtray Award,” a recognition given to countries perceived as favoring the tobacco industry over public health.
The hearings also underscored the importance of ensuring that top state officials, such as the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), are present at major public health events like COP10 to strongly advocate for the country’s interests.
Upholding sports integrity
Besides these two investigations, the blue ribbon panel also held an inquiry into the alleged non-compliance of the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
Cayetano noted that this action jeopardized Filipino athletes’ eligibility to compete in international events, including the Olympics.
Following the committee’s intervention, the senator said the PSC immediately rectified, and later, reported full compliance to the committee, ensuring the protection of Filipino athletes’ rights and opportunities.
Cayetano said the blue ribbon committee's work in 2024 sums up its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Through thorough hearings and decisive actions, she said the committee “addressed issues affecting the daily lives of Filipinos, working to uphold the rule of law and strengthen public trust in government institutions.”