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Affidavit of support for Filipinos 'not in force'

DUBAI - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi is seeking a clarification from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila on whether or not the policy of requiring an affidavit of support from a relative in the country of destination has been revived.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Philippine Consul-General Generoso Calonge said that there was no such policy which was intimated to the DFA. "Last year, that requirement was scrapped. The embassy has been receiving a number of complaints from Filipinos here that their relatives, who were departing for the UAE, were required to present an affidavit of support at the airport. Individuals at the airport in Manila are reported to be requiring the document. It appears to be a unilateral decision, and is being imposed by certain Bureau of Immigration officers," he pointed out.

Mr Calonge said that the complaints were mostly by phone, but there were two complainants who put their concerns in writing, prompting the embassy to address the matter through the DFA.

"We sent the letter to the DFA yesterday, and we are currently waiting for a reply. We hope that this issue will be resolved soon," he said.

It may be recalled that Filipino expatriates in Dubai last year welcomed the new policy of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to relax certain requirements for departing Filipino tourists.

In June 2003, Immigration Commissioner Andrea D. Domingo had instructed immigration officers to allow the departure of any Filipino passenger who has a valid passport, a valid visa and a round-trip ticket, which are the basic requirements for tourists. Earlier, departing Filipino tourists were required to present other documents such as an affidavit of support from a relative in his/her country of destination. The bureau chief explained that the move was aimed at eliminating an opportunity for corruption among immigration personnel, who could take advantage of the bureau's previously stringent requirements to exact money from travellers before clearing them for departure.

Ms Domingo added that the policy was in consonance with the right of every Filipino citizen to travel as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Imposing unnecessary restrictions on travellers does not only breed corruption but also results in discrimination and contributes to bureaucratic red tape, Ms Domingo had stressed.

Meanwhile, Cesar Ong, leader of the Kaisambayan advocacy group, told Khaleej Times that reviving the earlier decision to scrap such documents as the affidavit of support puts an additional burden to Filipinos. "If I would like to apply a visit visa for a relative, I only have to shell out Dh200. With the requirement of an affidavit of support, it will cost me an additional Dh100," he said.

Mr Ong, however, said that if the requirement serves as a deterrent to corruption by immigration officials or unscrupulous recruiters, then by all means, the government should revive it. "I'm in favour of its revival only if it serves the right purpose - to eliminate any extortion rackets or cases of illegal recruitment," he said.