Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in the Philippines, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Philippine laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. The judicial process in the Philippines can be lengthy, and persons charged with a crime can be held in indefinite pre-trial detention as their case makes its way through the judicial system. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Philippines are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. If a traveler is found to have any amount of drugs on his or her person, or nearby, when arriving at or departing from the Philippines, he or she will be charged with trafficking. This offense is non-bailable, and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. There have been instances where persons carrying controlled substances (e.g., medical marijuana or morphine) as well as a doctor’s prescription for the substance were charged with drug possession because they did not possess the proper prior clearance from the Philippine government before entry.

You should carry a copy of your passport at all times in the event that you are asked about your citizenship. In the Philippines, you may be questioned by authorities if you take pictures of certain buildings, especially government buildings or military installations. In the Philippines, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in the Philippines, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country, regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are they illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them, you are breaking Philippine law as well.

U.S. citizens should also be aware that the Bureau of Immigration discourages the participation of foreigners in demonstrations or political rallies in the Philippines. The Bureau of Immigration has cautioned that this activity may be considered a violation of the terms of admission to the Philippines. Foreign nationals who participate in demonstrations or political rallies may be detained and deported for violating Philippine immigration laws.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Marriage in the Philippines: For information about the documentation required for a U.S. citizen to marry in the Philippines, the marriage application process, and travel to the United States with a foreign spouse, please visits the U.S. Embassy webpage.

Disaster preparedness: The Philippines is prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. From May to December, as many as 20-25 typhoons may affect the Philippines, and heavy rains and flash floods often occur. Flooding can cause landslides and road delays and cut off bridges and roadways. Typhoons in the vicinity of the Philippines can interrupt air and sea links within the country and region. Updated information on typhoons is available at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) website. Volcanic activity is frequent, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is currently monitoring four active volcanos for signs of an eruption. The most active is the Mayon Volcano located in Albay Province, but the Taal volcano in Batangas Province, the Bulusan volcano located in Sorsogon Province and the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental Province are also active. Visitors to the volcanos must exercise extreme caution as eruptions may occur without warning. Additionally, earthquakes occur regularly throughout the country. For the most recent information on volcanic activity please visit the PHIVOLCS website.

General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the event of an emergency, if it is impossible to communicate with the Embassy by telephone, please check the local news and the Embassy's Facebook page for U.S. citizen information and Embassy opening/closing information.

Customs: Philippine customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Philippines of items such as currency and firearms. The transport of ammunition is illegal, and Philippine officials have arrested U.S. citizens for having even a small number of bullets or ammunition casings or shells in their luggage. Even items that look like bullets or weapons may cause delays. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco) for specific information regarding customs requirements, including importation of agricultural and pharmaceutical items. Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in the Philippines; transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

For further information about customs regulations, including information on U.S. Customs restrictions, please read our Customs Information page. You can also review a summary of Philippine customs regulations and practices on the website of the International Air Transport Association.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There is no prohibition on entry into the Philippines by lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. While there are no prohibitions against entry into the Philippine by transgender individuals, travelers should be aware that immigration officials may require supporting documents if the gender in the traveler’s passport does not reflect the gender expressions of a transgender person. According to Philippine law, an individual’s sex must match that assigned at birth as reflected on the official birth certificate, even in cases of post-operative sex reassignment.

Homosexuality is not illegal in the Philippines. However, there is currently no legal recognition for same-sex relationships. No federal law prohibits discrimination against LGBT individuals, though legislation pending in Congress since 1998 would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Several cities, however, have passed local ordinances protecting LGBT rights. Despite these legislative efforts, LGBT individuals continue to face implicit discrimination, harassment, and other human rights violations. A robust movement of NGOs, international organizations, and individual activists across the Philippines continues to advocate for strengthened legal protections, consistent enforcement of existing laws, and increased awareness of issues facing the LGBT community.

For more detailed information about LGBT rights in the Philippines, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: When traveling to or in the Philippines, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from that which is available in the United States. Government efforts to improve access to transportation for persons with disabilities are limited due to weak implementing regulations. The streets, roads, and most other public places in the Philippines lack facilities for persons with disabilities. Many public buildings, particularly older ones, lack functioning elevators. Two of Manila's three light-rail lines are wheelchair accessible; however, many stops have out-of-service elevators. Buses lack wheelchair lifts, and only a small number of sidewalks have wheelchair ramps. Commercial establishments such as malls also have few accessibility-related facilities, such as wheelchair ramps and restrooms designated for persons with disabilities.

Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport provides some accommodations such as ramps, lifts, and accessible toilets. Passengers requiring any special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel. Travelers to regional airports and provincial areas should not expect similar accommodations, as facilities for persons with disabilities are extremely limited outside of metropolitan areas. Travelers with disabilities should review the Department of State’s information sheet "Traveling with Disabilities."