MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has rejected Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s proposal to outsource visa processing to private companies, warning that decisions on who may enter the Philippines involve government authority and official judgment that cannot be reduced to clerical work.
In a strongly worded statement Monday, the DFA defended its legal mandate over visa issuance and pushed back against Remulla’s allegations that the agency had turned the service into a money-making venture.
The diplomatic agency maintained that evaluating visa applications requires careful scrutiny of supporting documents and the exercise of official judgment under Philippine laws and regulations.
“These responsibilities require the exercise of official judgment pursuant to the applicable Philippine laws, rules and regulations, and cannot be reduced to just the administrative receipt and processing of documents,” the DFA said.
The department issued the statement after Remulla proposed engaging third-party service providers, such as VFS, to handle visa applications, arguing that the process was largely administrative and should fall primarily under immigration authorities within the Department of Justice.
Remulla also accused the DFA of pursuing commercial interests at the expense of its diplomatic responsibilities, citing its previous visa operations in China.
“The DFA’s problem is that it seems to have forgotten that its primary job is to be diplomats. In this case, they want something else to happen — they want to do business. They used to turn visa issuance in China into a business,” Remulla said on his DZRH program.
The DFA rejected the insinuation, stressing that visa fees are collected strictly in accordance with existing laws and regulations and that the department does not tolerate corruption.
“The visa fees collected are pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, including the prescribed Schedule of Fees. The DFA does not tolerate corruption and remains committed to accountability, transparency, and utmost professionalism in the delivery of public service,” the agency said.
The disagreement emerged amid reports that the DFA was reassessing its visa-free entry policy for Chinese tourists following concerns that the arrangement may have contributed to the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The controversy has raised questions over which government agency should exercise authority over visa issuance and how far private companies should be allowed to participate in processing applications.
While acknowledging that third-party providers may assist in receiving applications and performing other administrative functions, the DFA emphasized that the authority to approve or deny visas must remain exclusively with government officials.
“This authority remains a governmental responsibility, as exercised by the Philippine Embassies and Consulates,” the DFA said.
The department maintained that its visa-issuance mandate is grounded in Philippine law and international conventions, underscoring the distinction between administrative assistance and the exercise of sovereign authority.
It also defended the integrity of the Philippine Foreign Service, saying Remulla’s allegations unfairly cast doubt on the professionalism of personnel carrying out their official duties.
“The DFA will continue to faithfully discharge its statutory responsibilities and uphold the integrity of Philippine visa issuance in the best interest of the country and the Filipino people,” it added./PN
