The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, October 26, rejected Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s proposal to strip the agency of its visa issuance functions, disputing allegations that it had turned the service into a business.
In a statement, the DFA said Remulla’s remarks unfairly questioned the integrity of the department and its personnel.
“Ombudsman Remulla’s remarks undermine the institutional integrity of the Department and unfairly malign the reputation of the Philippine Foreign Service and its personnel,” the DFA said.
The department maintained that its authority to issue visas is established under Executive Order No. 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987, which identifies visa issuance as an official consular responsibility.
It also cited provisions of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations recognizing the authority of diplomatic missions and consular offices to perform visa-related functions.
The DFA emphasized that visa processing involves more than administrative work, requiring the evaluation of applications, verification of documents, and exercise of official judgment under Philippine laws and regulations.
“Contrary to the characterization of visa processing as a merely clerical function, the issuance of visas involves the substantive assessment of applications and verification of documents,” the department said.
It clarified that third-party service providers, including VFS Global, may assist in receiving and processing application documents, but the authority to approve or reject visas remains exclusively with Philippine embassies and consulates.
The department also stressed that visa fees are collected according to existing laws and the government’s prescribed fee schedules.
Responding to concerns over possible irregularities, the DFA reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and professional public service.
“The DFA does not tolerate corruption and remains committed to accountability, transparency, and utmost professionalism in the delivery of public service,” it said.
The agency vowed to continue exercising its legally mandated consular functions while safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the Philippine visa issuance system.
