The following information was provided by a Consular Services official at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Ottawa during a 1 August 2006 telephone interview with the Research Directorate. The consent of both parents is required in order for a passport to be issued to a child under the age of 18 who intends to travel overseas with one parent. The parents must sign a form entitled "Affidavit of Consent and Support," a copy of which is retained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Information obtained on the Website of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs indicates that, when applying for or renewing a minor's passport, one parent must be present and must show the passport, along with a photocopy of the passport of the person who will be travelling with the child (Philippines 18 May 2006).

According to the Hague Conference on Private International Law, on 13 July 2006, the Philippines was not a signatory of the Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCOPL). 13 July 2006. "Status Table 28: Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction." http://hcch.e-vision.nl/index_en.php?act=conventions.status&cid=24 [Accessed 1 Aug. 2006]

Philippines. 1 August 2006. Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Ottawa. Telephone interview with a Consular Services official.

_____. 18 May 2006. Department of Foreign Affairs. "Guidelines on Passport Application." http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/passport.htm [Accessed 18 July 2006]