MANILA, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s warning that he will “kill” anyone who asks for a birth certificate as a requirement for passport renewal drew a wide variety of reactions from netizens.
While some praised Locsin for easing the process of passport renewal, some criticized his profanity-laden statement.
Some netizens also complained that they were still required to submit a birth certificate when they renewed their passports.
Locsin’s warning came after a netizen asked whether birth certificate is still needed for renewal of passport: “Sir @teddyboylocsin kailangan pa rin po ba ng birth certificate pag nag parenew ng passport? Salamat po.”
READ: Locsin: I will kill anyone who asks for a birth certificate
“Hindi. Putangina. Not for passport renewal. If anyone asks you, tell me who and I will fucking kill him/her,” Locsin tweeted in reply.
Hindi. Putangina. Not for passport renewal. If anyone asks you, tell me who and I will fucking kill him/her. https://t.co/eumJnUPceN
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 18, 2019
One netizen replied to Locsin’s tweet, saying “Sir bakit po nung nagrenew kami nung Feb 4 po, hiningan pa kami ng birth certificate po, so pumila pa kami ng 5 hours sa PSA para makakuha at saka pa kami bumalik sa dfa po.”
Sir bakit po nung nagrenew kami nung Feb 4 po, hiningan pa kami ng birthcertificate po, so pumila pa kami ng 5 hours sa PSA para makakuha at saka pa kami bumalik sa dfa po. Paki-patay po yung nasa window #2 nung araw na yun.
— BernicePark (@kendra_bernice) February 18, 2019
“Kasi po pumila ako para makuha ko na ang birthday cert on the sameday. Imagine galing pa kaming san pablo, ano gusto mo bumalik pa ako,” the netizen added.
Kasi po pumila ako para makuha ko na ang birthday cert on the sameday. Imagine galing pa kaming san pablo, ano gusto mo bumalik pa ako. Isip din kapag maytime ka, hindi yung maka-sabat lang teh.
— BernicePark (@kendra_bernice) February 19, 2019
Locsin quoted the netizen’s complaint and said: “Talagang hindot mga tao.”
talagang hindot mga tao. https://t.co/UIQau4P5ME
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 19, 2019
Some netizens also called out Locsin for cursing in his tweet with one asking, “Need talaga magmura?”
https://twitter.com/JanPampliega/status/1097667312780402688
Another netizen said, “Sir, humbly request you not to curse. The rest of them in the senate/government might get inspired and started cussing at each other while in session/at work.”
Sir, humbly request you not to curse. The rest of them in the senate/government might get inspired and started cussing at each other while in session/at work. All their true nature will come out. Will become a very scary scene. God bless.
— Tweetgoo🐵 (@migscon) February 19, 2019
Meanwhile, some thanked Locsin for easing the passport renewal process: “Thank you po sir @teddyboylocsin You’re making a big difference for us. Easier now to renew. Maraming salamat po.”
Thank you po sir @teddyboylocsin
You're making a big difference for us. Easier now to renew. Maraming salamat po. https://t.co/Uc0lDBzsp4— j429m (@Josh429M) February 19, 2019
“We’re fucking trying but it is fucking frustrating but never mind, it is the fate of Filipinos. And right there 5 “eff” words,” Locsin replied.
We're fucking trying but it is fucking frustrating but never mind, it is the fate of Filipinos. And right there 5 "eff" words. https://t.co/jMcrDXMYNE
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 19, 2019
One netizen also shared her positive experience in renewing passport: “My family of 4 renewed our passports at DFA Aseana last Feb. 6. No BC [birth certificate] required. We finished everything in less than 30 minutes.”
https://twitter.com/terry_viray/status/1097750404404670464
Locsin scratched the birth certificate requirement for passport renewal through Department Order (DO) 03-2019 issued last month.
READ: Locsin scraps birth certificate requirement for renewal of passport
The DO, however, only covers regular renewal of passports and not the following cases: first time passport applications; renewal applications for lost and mutilated passports; renewal requiring changes in the passport entries; renewal of old brown and green passports bearing no complete middle name; and applicants included in DFA’s watch list. / gsg