THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday strongly rejected claims questioning its 14-day visa-free entry policy and its communications with the People’s Republic of China, asserting that both are lawful and necessary.
In a statement, the DFA described remarks made by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla during DZRH’s Executive Session program on Saturday as “erroneous” and based on “unfounded insinuations.”
Mr. Remulla again argued that authority over visa matters rests with immigration officers under the Department of Justice (DoJ). He also claimed that the DFA issues “fake” passports and intentionally makes the passport application process difficult.
“The prevention of passport fraud is precisely why documentary safeguards and identity verification requirements are necessary,” the DFA said, referring to Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Passport Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Speaking directly about the 14-day visa-free program for Chinese nationals, the DFA said its modalities were determined alongside other concerned government agencies.
In a separate statement, the DFA publicly rebuked various unnamed government officials who questioned the transparency of its account of the telephone call by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on Nov. 3.
They said diplomacy when defending national sovereignty is not appeasement, emphasizing how public disclosure serves different strategic purposes.
Portraying diplomatic dialogue as secondary to public exposure creates a false choice between diplomacy and transparency, they added.
“Public statements that undermine the government’s diplomatic approach do more than complicate the work of our diplomat,” the DFA said. “They risk eroding the country’s credibility in international affairs and project an image of internal division that external parties can exploit.” — Francessca S. Abalos