Duterte backs DOJ move to outsource visa issuance

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte supports a move by the Department of Justice to consider outsourcing the process of issuing visas following the discovery of irregularities in visas issued to Chinese travelers.

“I support the recommendation of Justice Secretary (Jesus Crispin) Remulla that instead of the Department of Foreign Affairs handling the visas of Chinese nationals entering the Philippines, it will be handled by visa outsourcing and technology services specialist VFS Global. In that way it would be easier to handle,” Duterte said.

The former president said he trusts Remulla knows what to do, given the situation with the irregularities in the visa issuance.

VFS Global works with governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, with more than 3,000 application centers and operations in 149 countries.

“VFS has the capability to check the authenticity of submitted data,” Remulla said in Filipino.

Remulla is expected to present the recommendation on VFS to President Marcos soon.