The country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday, June 26, 2014, that they issued the controversial diplomatic passport of Jolo Estrada who became the hottest trending topics online for the past few days after his lavish lifestyle was showcased on his Instagram account.
The DFA confirmed that Jose Luis “Jolo” Ejercito, son of PDAF scam accused Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, has been issued a diplomatic passport. According to the explanation of the DFA there’s a DFA regulations that allows spouses and unmarried minor children of diplomats who are entitled to diplomatic passports.
DFA spokesman Charles Jose noted that according to DFA regulations, the principals who are entitled to diplomatic passports in the case of Jinggoy Estrada, his spouse and unmarried children are also entitled for diplomatic passports.
The use of diplomatic passports are under some provisions, spouses and unmarried minor children of the principal are allowed to use the diplomatic passports provided that they will accompany their principal on official travel abroad.
The DFA was quoted as saying “So their spouses and unmarried minor children who will accompany them on official travel are entitled. Only official travel. So pursuant to that regulation, the son of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was issued a diplomatic passport because he was 18 years old at the time when he was given one and now he’s already 21,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose stated.
The diplomatic passport issued to unmarried minor children or spouse of a diplomat is valid only per travel basis, it will not be valid for use unless revalidated by the DFA.
