The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has strongly denied allegations that it issues fake passports or intentionally complicates application processes through strict documentary requirements.
In a statement released on Sunday, November 8, the department pushed back against criticism from a radio program, dismissing claims that passport and visa services function as commercial commodities.
“The DFA does not issue ‘fake’ passports, nor does it impose documentary requirements to make applications deliberately difficult,” the department stated, adding that every requested document complies with Republic Act 11983, or the New Passport Law.
The DFA also clarified its 14-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals visiting for tourism or business under DFA Foreign Service Circular No. 2026-005. Prompted by a Presidential directive, the arrangement cannot be extended or converted. The department noted that any misuse should be investigated by law enforcement rather than used to claim institutional misconduct.
Additionally, the DFA contested Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s stance that visa authority belongs exclusively to immigration authorities under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The DFA’s visa-issuance authority is founded on law. It is neither derived from nor dependent upon delegation by the DOJ,” the agency stressed, citing the Administrative Code of 1987 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The department further rejected Remulla’s suggestion to outsource visa processing to a third party, maintaining that assessing, approving, or denying visas is a sovereign function that must remain with authorized government officials.
Finally, the DFA addressed claims that securing a Philippine business visa is overly difficult, emphasizing every nation’s sovereign right to set its own visa rules.