Philippines still on weaker half of most powerful passport list

MANILA — The Philippine passport has moved two spots higher but remains in the lower half of the latest world's most powerful passports rankings.

The Philippines moved from the 72nd spot to the 70th in the latest Henley Passport Index released on May 22.

The list ranked 199 passports from one to 100 according to the freedom they allow their holders to travel visa-free to up to 227 different travel destinations—including countries, territories and micro-states.

The Philippines shared the 70th spot with Azerbaijan, the Dominican Republic and Tunisia. A Philippine passport holder now has visafree access to 66 countries, three more compared to the index released in January.

Japan emerged as the most powerful passport allowing visa-free entry to 189 destinations.

Germany and Singapore shared the 2nd spot as their passport holders could visit 188 destinations without a visa. Singapore is the only Southeast Asian country to land a spot on the five most powerful passports list.

Ranking 3rd were passports from Finland, France, Italy, South Korea, Spain and Sweden which could freely enter 187 destinations.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Iraq ranked as the least powerful passports at the 100th spot as they allow visa-free access to only 30 destinations.

The Philippine passport fell to the 7th spot compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors.