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THE Philippines missed out on a gilt-edged chance to make a
principled stand on the burning question of Myanmar—or Burma as
the civilized world remembers this beautiful country and its gentle
people before both were brutalized by the pariah generals, led by
Senior Pariah Than Shwe, who have turned the country into their
personal fiefdom.
When the United Nations General Assembly adopted
a resolution calling on the discredited military junta to free all
political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner—and the
country’s legitimate leader as overwhelmingly decreed by the
people in the last free and democratic election ever held in that
country—Aung San Suu Kyi, the Philippines joined Thailand,
Indonesia and Singapore in abstaining.
Fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations
members Brunei, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam voted against the
resolution, while Cambodia absented itself.
We guess the Asean members did what they did on
the customary—but badly flawed in relation to Myanmar—principle
of not interfering in the internal affairs of a fellow member.
But the undeniable point is that Myanmar under
the despicable junta is a huge embarrassment to Asean, and
contributes nothing but grief to the organization—as the record
will disgracefully show.
Time and again the junta has practically given a
dirty finger to Asean (and the UN, for that matter) whenever it has
attempted to bring it into line, or talk the generals into being
part of the civilized world.
What is most surprising about the Philippine
vote at the UN on this particular issue is the proven fact that
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been outspoken in her calls
for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released and the country set on the road
to freedom and democracy.
But whispers in the diplomatic circuit is that a
senior government official has an uncomfortably cozy relationship
with the uniformed clique in Yangon, and this might have had
something to do with the Philippines not breaking ranks and standing
up and being counted (to the cheers of a good part of the world, we
can guarantee) on the sad and sorry state of Myanmar.
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Meeting up with Danny Almeda, the highly
respected Chief of the Alien Registration Division (and three-decade
career officer) at the Bureau of Immigration, he requested that
through this newspaper we send out a reminder to all aliens that
they have to report in person within the first 60 days (and that’s
between now and the end of February) to the BI’s main office or
any of its satellite offices in Metro Manila or regional/sub-port
offices to pay the annual fee for 2009 amounting to P300 and a legal
research fee of P10.
The requirement and fees are pursuant to Section
10 of the Alien Registration Act, and is outlined in a memorandum
sent out by BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan on December 10.
Incidentally, Commissioner Libanan has strived
hard to make the bureau more people friendly, and this mission is
even extending to the BI’s Intramuros office that is currently
getting a bright and cheery make-over.
Almeda explained that the annual report of
aliens is a two way thing since it gives the BI and chance to update
its records on aliens living in the Philippines, and it also gives
the aliens the opportunity to further safeguard their status in the
country.
Aliens who are 14 years of age and below or 65
years of age and above can be represented by their parents, legal
guardians or legal representatives in complying with the
requirements.
If ever the subject aliens intend to be
represented by a travel agent, broker or liaison officer, the amount
of P500 will be charged as Express Lane Fee, and that’s in
addition to the annual report fees and legal research charges. The
representatives must present the original ACR I-card of the subject
alien and a duly notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed
for the purpose.
In all other cases such as change of address or
updating information in the ACR I-Card database the same will be
subject to payment of immigration fees (or fines) if applicable.
rjottings@yahoo.com
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