Because of the Filipino’s negative reputation of overstaying and illegally settling in other lands. Another negative factor is the fact that the Philippines has one of the largest overseas workers in the world and remittances from OFWs is considered one of the major sources of income that keeps the country’s economy afloat. Because of these factors, the country is seen as high risk and a threat to the locals that Filipinos would overstay and eventually take over the jobs leaving the local citizens jobless. Its also a burden for the government to have additional “mouths to feed”. I know that OFWs are considered as modern day heroes in the Philippines in terms of making an impact on the country’s economy but unfortunately their very presence is what hurts the status of Philippine passport thereby limiting its holders the chance to visit more countries without the hassle and additional expenses for visa processing. Currently the country has visa-free access to only 64 countries out of 226 possible destinations.
China has a larger number of overseas migrants, but unlike Filipinos, the Chinese migrants build businesses abroad that somehow helps create more jobs and contribute to the host country’s economy. As a result, Chinese passports are stronger than the Philippine passport (although because of their large presence overseas, Chinese passport is still not that strong enough compared to many Asian countries). Filipinos in contrast aren’t entrepreneurial enough to make an impact to the world and is that very reason they are viewed as a threat in stealing jobs from the locals.
Japan and Singapore holds the strongest passports. Their citizens travel but usually don’t migrate abroad. Same with Australia, New Zealand, UK, EU and some other European countries. Poorer countries such as Timor-Leste, Lesotho and other Sub-Saharan African nations are seen as “poor” enough to afford travelling so they’re not really seen as a threat.
Its not so much about the GNI or the economy status of a country, its the tendency of its citizens to work or immigrate abroad and unfortunately, Filipinos are among those people. In fact many third world and even low income countries have stronger passports than the Philippines while many MENA and South Asian countries have the worst passports with Afghanistan at the bottom followed by Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Nepal, Libya.
EDIT: UAE holds the strongest passport power for 2019, Japan went down to #3 along with South Korea and Singapore at #4. Meanwhile the Philippines ranks #63 with access to 74 countries (36 countries visa-free and 38 countries visa on arrival). Global Passport Power Rank | Passport Index 2019
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