MANILA — An official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said the issuance of visas of permanent residency is not a right but a privilege.
"As far as immigration is concerned, ganun din tayo dito, the issuing of visa is a mere privilege. You are not entitled to it as a right," said BI Spokesperson Atty. Antonette Mangrobang.
Mangrobang was reacting to the recent decision of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal that ruled against the two Filipino domestic helpers seeking permanent residency.
In a unanimous 5-0 ruling, HK's high court sided with government's position that domestic helpers don't have the same status as other foreign residents.
Lawyers for Evangeline Vallejos and Daniel Domingo had argued that excluding domestic helpers is unconstitutional and amounts to discrimination.
Mangrobang explained that even the Philippines has its own rules and a very limited number of foreigners are entitled to permanent residency.
"The country issuing the visa has the discretion whether or not to grant. I would assume na ganun din patakaran nila," she said.
She noted, only foreigners who have Filipino spouses or those who have substantial investments in the country are given this status.
Verontwaardiging alom in de Filipijnen, maar dit is een koekje van eigen deeg.