By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday strongly rejected anew Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s claims questioning its legal authority to issue Philippine visas, insisting that its mandate is expressly provided by law and cannot be transferred to a private entity.
In a strongly worded statement, the DFA pushed back against remarks made during the Office of the Ombudsman’s radio program on Saturday, which it described as erroneous and accompanied by unfounded insinuations about its passport services.
“The DFA’s visa-issuance authority is founded on law. It is neither derived from nor dependent upon delegation by the DOJ (Department of Justice),” the DFA said.
The DFA cited Section 21(3), Chapter 7, Title I, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987, which recognizes visa issuance as a statutory function of Philippine consular offices. It also invoked the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which identifies visa issuance as a consular function.
The DFA opposed Remulla’s proposal to transfer visa processing to a third-party service provider, stressing that private firms may provide administrative assistance but cannot exercise the government’s authority to assess, approve or deny visa applications.
“The authority to assess, approve or deny Philippine visas is a sovereign governmental function that cannot be transferred to a private entity through an outsourcing arrangement,” the DFA said.
The latest exchange comes amid Remulla’s opposition to extending the 14-day visa-free entry pilot program for Chinese nationals, which began in January 2026 and is set to expire in January 2027.
The Ombudsman earlier raised concerns over overstaying and called for visa processing to be outsourced. Remulla claimed that a vast majority of Chinese tourists who entered the Philippines under visa-free policies did not return home, citing overstay issues.
He also alleged that visa processing involving China had become a “business” managed through travel agency quotas and questioned the DFA’s ability to properly screen foreign nationals.
The DFA said the visa-free arrangement was implemented pursuant to a presidential directive to facilitate trade, investments, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.
The privilege is limited to tourism or business purposes, allows a maximum stay of 14 days, and is non-extendible and non-convertible, the department said.
It added that reported cases of misuse should be investigated by law enforcement agencies but do not establish impropriety on its part or prove that the arrangement was unlawful.
For Chinese nationals applying for a Section 9(a-1) business visa, the DFA said standard processing takes five working days from the submission of complete requirements, provided there is no derogatory information.
The DFA rejected allegations that it issues “fake” passports or deliberately imposes burdensome documentary requirements, saying these are prescribed under Republic Act 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, and its implementing rules and regulations.
It likewise denied treating passports and visas as commercial undertakings, saying fees are collected under the government’s prescribed schedule of fees and form part of government revenue.
“The DFA categorically rejects the assertions made during the program that disregard its express statutory authority and attribute institutional impropriety to the Department without specific and verifiable evidence,” it said. (PNA)
