DFA to verify reported ‘allegiance fee’ collection

DFA spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday clarified there is no authorized “allegiance fee” being implemented by the government following its reported collection on Filipinos in Spain and Andora.

In a statement, DFA Acting Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar assured the agency will take appropriate action once information is confirmed.

This after Senator Franklin Drilon urged the DFA to “stop collecting allegiance fee from Filipinos who want to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship.”

Drilon made the call during his meeting with the Filipino community in Spain last Oct. 29, 2017 regarding the Dual Citizenship Law, which he authored in 2003.

He said that the Filipino community in Spain and Andora raised the issue involving the collection of the allegiance fee amounting to around 45 euros before they could take their Oath of Allegiance to the Philippines.

“I haven’t heard of this allegiance fee,” said Bolivar in a text message. “I know we have a processing fee, which is for notarials of the applicants’ documents.”

Asked if the said fee amounting to 45 euros could be the processing fee, Bolivar said he’ll have to verify first with concerned offices.

“I’ll let our relevant offices know about this so they can take appropriate action,” he assured. As of writing, the official hasn’t disclosed any additional information.