Fil-Ams in US not covered by planned visa requirement on Americans —Panelo

Filipino-Americans will not be covered by the Philippine government's plan to require visas when American citizens travel to the country, the Palace said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the clarification after US Senator Dick Durbin called on the Duterte administration to release Senator de Lima instead of threatening its longtime allies by restricting entry of American citizens to the Philippines.

Durbin was referring to President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to require visa from visiting American citizens to the Philippines, supposedly in response to the US budget provision introduced by Durbin and fellow US Senator Patrick Leahy banning Philippine officials involved in De Lima's detention from visiting the US.

“Filipinos residing or sojourning in America, or our balikbayans, are not covered by our ultimatum should the US Government pursue banning the entry of Filipino officials acting in accordance with Philippine law apropos Senator de Lima's case,” Panelo said.

Likewise, Panelo said that imposing visa requirements to foreign nationals prior to entry into the Philippines is an exercise of a sovereign right and not an insult as Durbin has said.

“In fact, they (US government) have been requiring Filipinos to secure a US visa before we can travel into their homeland. Diplomacy is equality,”  Panelo added.

Panelo also dismissed Durbin’s call for the government to release de Lima, who is facing two counts of drug charges, from detention.

“The call of these foreign officials to release Senator Leila de Lima, who is presently facing charges before an independent Philippine court, is a brazen interference into our sovereignty. Their demand to provide the lady senator a fair, speedy and credible trial is totally misplaced because such is being given to her as required by the Constitution,” Panelo said.

“If any party feels that such constitutional guarantee is not being observed, then such party should avail of appropriate remedial measures under Philippine law. Any undue persuasion that tramples upon our judicial processes or puts any form of tension on the officers of our courts relative thereto must be condemned accordingly by all citizens of this state,” he added.

The government has accused De Lima, who has been detained in Camp Crame since February 2017, of benefiting financially from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison during her term as secretary of the Department of Justice.

De Lima has denied the charges, claiming she was a victim of political persecution for being a very vocal member of the opposition. —Llanesca Panti/NB, GMA News