Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has called for full digitalization of the country’s civil registry system to prevent abuses in late birth registrations, following revelations that foreign nationals, including suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, had exploited the process to legitimize their identities in the Philippines.
Gatchalian’s statement came after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) confirmed that the Tarlac Regional Trial Court voided Guo’s birth certificate on September 24.
PSA chief Dennis Mapa told the Senate Finance Committee that Guo’s certificate contained inconsistencies, including a nonexistent marriage record for her supposed parents. The PSA has endorsed to the Office of the Solicitor General the cancellation of 1,472 birth certificates linked to similar irregularities.
“The way to solve it is digitalization from end to end — from the hospital and local civil registry up to the central data system — so we can detect anomalies faster,” Gatchalian said, adding that erring officials who enabled such schemes should also be held accountable.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, expressed support for the PSA’s ₱477-million digitalization budget, saying more funds could be allocated if necessary to strengthen transparency and fraud detection in the country’s registry systems.
In the same budget hearing, Gatchalian also challenged the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) to modernize and adapt to the digital era as the government transitions toward paperless operations.
“The government is your client, but it is also moving toward digitalization. You have to think about your future because we cannot keep subsidizing PhilPost all the time,” he said, noting that PhilPost’s subsidy is expected to rise to ₱858.5 million in 2026.
Postmaster General Maximo Sta. Maria III said PhilPost remains focused on last-mile delivery, especially in remote areas underserved by private couriers. Gatchalian, however, underscored the need for improved reliability and service innovation.
“Let’s be honest — kapag PhilPost, madalas delayed. Pero kapag parcel delivery, on time. That’s the kind of service we want to see,” he said.
