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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday formally rejected a proposal by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to strip the agency of its visa-issuance authority. The department defended its legal mandate and denied allegations that it had commercialized the visa-processing system. In a statement, the DFA asserted that Remulla’s remarks undermined the department's institutional integrity and “unfairly malign the reputation of the Philippine Foreign Service and its personnel.” The Ombudsman had previously questioned the DFA’s capacity to screen foreign nationals and suggested that visa processing be transferred to VFS Global, a private firm that provides administrative support for consular services. Remulla further argued that because visa issuance involves immigration matters, the responsibility should fall under the Department of Justice. The DFA countered these claims by citing its legal basis for visa issuance, specifically Executive Order 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987, and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The department rejected the characterization of visa processing as a purely clerical function, emphasizing that the process requires a substantive evaluation of applications and the verification of supporting documents. “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 stated. While the department acknowledged that private service providers like VFS Global may assist with administrative tasks such as receiving applications, it maintained that the final decision on visa issuance remains a sovereign government responsibility exercised exclusively by Philippine embassies and consulates. Addressing concerns regarding potential misconduct, the DFA stated, “The DFA does not tolerate corruption and remains committed to accountability, transparency, and utmost professionalism in the delivery of public service.” The department concluded by affirming its commitment to discharging its statutory responsibilities to protect the integrity of the Philippine visa system. Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday formally rejected a proposal by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to strip the agency of its visa-issuance authority. The department defended its legal mandate and denied allegations that it had commercialized the visa-processing system. In a statement, the DFA asserted that Remulla’s remarks undermined the department’s institutional integrity and “unfairly malign the reputation of the Philippine Foreign Service and its personnel.” The Ombudsman had previously questioned the DFA’s capacity to screen foreign nationals and suggested that visa processing be transferred to VFS Global, a private firm that provides administrative support for consular services. Remulla further argued that because visa issuance involves immigration matters, the responsibility should fall under the Department of Justice. The DFA countered these claims by citing its legal basis for visa issuance, specifically Executive Order 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987, and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The department rejected the characterization of visa processing as a purely clerical function, emphasizing that the process requires a substantive evaluation of applications and the verification of supporting documents. “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 stated. While the department acknowledged that private service providers like VFS Global may assist with administrative tasks such as receiving applications, it maintained that the final decision on visa issuance remains a sovereign government responsibility exercised exclusively by Philippine embassies and consulates. Addressing concerns regarding potential misconduct, the DFA stated, “The DFA does not tolerate corruption and remains committed to accountability, transparency, and utmost professionalism in the delivery of public service.” The department concluded by affirming its commitment to discharging its statutory responsibilities to protect the integrity of the Philippine visa system.
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