9 Belgians Blacklisted For Joining Anti-sona Rally

[Mik]

9 Belgians blacklisted for joining anti-SONA rally (The Philippine Star) Updated August 10, 2009 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has banned nine Belgian nationals from entering the country for taking part in the protest rally against the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo last July 27. Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan issued last Thursday the order placing Johan Demyttenaere, Mario Alessander Bauwens, Stefanie Devloo, Nicky Broeckhoven, Marlies Geldof, Jelle Eeckhout, Greet Vantieghem, Mattia de Pauw, and Chiara Donadoni in the immigration blacklist.Libanan ordered the foreign nationals to leave the country within five days.Libanan said the Belgians were blacklisted

Edited August 9, 2009 by M.Morey

[Mr Lee]

9 Belgians blacklisted for joining anti-SONA rally (The Philippine Star) Updated August 10, 2009 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has banned nine Belgian nationals from entering the country for taking part in the protest rally against the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo last July 27. Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan issued last Thursday the order placing Johan Demyttenaere, Mario Alessander Bauwens, Stefanie Devloo, Nicky Broeckhoven, Marlies Geldof, Jelle Eeckhout, Greet Vantieghem, Mattia de Pauw, and Chiara Donadoni in the immigration blacklist.Libanan ordered the foreign nationals to leave the country within five days.Libanan said the Belgians were blacklisted

[Mik]

Apparently the Constitution here only protects the rights of Philippine citizens? From the Philippine Bill of Rights:"Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances." http://www.lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.htmlSo then, do any Constitutional rights apply to foreigners? Can we be searched without a warrant? Can we be detained indefinitely without due process of law? Can the government seize our property? Where does it end?

[jamesmusslewhite]

I have always found Morey and Lee's topics and post to be thought provocative but never subversive. They engage one to think. if a respondent agrees or disagrees you are always fair and respectful.The Philippines is only required to take care of it's citizenry and should be able to challenge foreigners coming into it's country for the purpose of anti government actions."For engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of the terms and conditions of their visa as temporary visitors in this country. 9 Belgians blacklisted for joining anti-SONA rally. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has banned nine Belgian nationals from entering the country for taking part in the protest rally against the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo last July 27."Bottom line is they should have read the fine print on their visa paperwork. If they did than they knew what they was doing was wrong and I think they should have to sit in an Immigration cell for 6 months with big fines, and think about how they are going to tell their buddies that it may not be such a good idea ignoring a country's laws I believe the Philippines has the right to judge us by our actions and comments, especially if we are pro communist or anti administration. Or rights do not circumvent the rights of the country we visit.That is like I am going to throw a party, and I know that 9 visitors coming as party crashers and probably coming only to cause a disruption to my festivities. I am just require to let them attend, and have no right to tell them to go away? They have more rights as party crashers than the party host? I would beat their asses out of my yard and they would not get 5 days to vacate. I would give then 5 seconds before someone was eligible for a hospital visit. I would not care who feelings are hurt. I can be proactive and do not have to be only reactive after they did damage, and I do not have to allow them in the party and have to worry and watch them all night. Nope my party my rules sorry. You do have to go away mad but you can't stay here. If I miss judged you sorry but you should not hang around trouble makers, Sue Me. Expats better hope they do not start mentoring these forums, because there will be many others that could be Black listed, due to comments that could be subversive and anti-Philippines.I have sometimes have read some good old boys that get on some nasty rants and the problem is these comments are archived and could come out years later. There are those that I wonder why they even live here or care enough about the Pinoy subjects or even respond from abroad. Their responses reek of disdain and discontent, and then they post on these forums for all the public to view. You know these forums are being monitored and one day probably very soon they will start taking names and send them elsewhere. This is their country and they can do as they feel is best for their citizenry, sort of a Pinoy McCarthy purge. Trying to expose the Evil Kano subversives living in their meths. That scares me more than bands on known members of professional protest groups. This a good Google search string "Countries banned protest group members" Remember Socialist and Communist will use a country's free speech to overthrow that country. They then banish free speech as a tool to keep control of that citizenry. They do not want what they demand. That is strange. I am glad that the Philippines is drawing a line in the sand and fighting back. They get so little help from us, we just sit around and bitch how unfair everything is for us, as if the Filipinos should really care what is fair for us before they think what is fair for them. I personally think they should toss out 50% of the expats and be like other countries and close their borders and just worry about themselves. We often make more problems then we ever solve.They would do better without over opinionated, selfish, egotistical, separatist, elitist, money flashing poor boys, and those acting as if the locals or inferior. We have to many bottom feeding cultural rejects who have migrated into a young accommodating country. They really do not need us near as much as we convince ourselves that they do.

Edited August 10, 2009 by jamesmusslewhite

[jamesmusslewhite]

Apparently the Constitution here only protects the rights of Philippine citizens? From the Philippine Bill of Rights:"Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances." http://www.lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.htmlSo then, do any Constitutional rights apply to foreigners? Can we be searched without a warrant? Can we be detained indefinitely without due process of law? Can the government seize our property? Where does it end?/quote]

to answer your questions,1. Yes2. Filipino "peaceful"3. No4. Yes5. Absolutely 6. unless it fits in your overhead compartment7. Cuba Edited August 10, 2009 by jamesmusslewhite

[Mr Lee]

I have always found Morey and Lee's topics and post to be thought provocative but never subversive. They engage one to think. if a respondent agrees or disagrees you are always fair and respectful.

Thank you for the kind words. I often post subjects that can be controversial in nature and thought provoking because we all need to think and keep our minds active as well as be aware of what goes on around us.

The Philippines is only required to take care of it's citizenry and should be able to challenge foreigners coming into it's country for the purpose of anti government actions.

To be honest with you all, I think every country should think that way, but should not trample on visitors rights either.

"For engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of the terms and conditions of their visa as temporary visitors in this country. 9 Belgians blacklisted for joining anti-SONA rally. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has banned nine Belgian nationals from entering the country for taking part in the protest rally against the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo last July 27."Bottom line is they should have read the fine print on their visa paperwork. If they did than they knew what they was doing was wrong and I think they should have to sit in an Immigration cell for 6 months with big fines, and think about how they are going to tell their buddies that it may not be such a good idea ignoring a country's laws I believe the Philippines has the right to judge us by our actions and comments, especially if we are pro communist or anti administration. Or rights do not circumvent the rights of the country we visit.

I have never had a visa since I am a balikbayan, so I have never had one to read but I do not intentionally violate the countries laws.

I personally think they should toss out 50% of the expats and be like other countries and close their borders and just worry about themselves. We often make more problems then we ever solve.They would do better without over opinionated, selfish, egotistical, separatist, elitist, money flashing poor boys, and those acting as if the locals or inferior. We have to many bottom feeding cultural rejects who have migrated into a young accommodating country. They really do not need us near as much as we convince ourselves that they do.

While there are many who visit or live in the Philippines that I would also like to see deported, I do not think it would be as high as 50% but you could be correct since I do not go to places like AC so I do not get to see all the expats who live or visit the Philippines, yet I do see many in Cebu who think they are better than Filipinos and treat them with disdain and fail to behave themselves and I have to wonder why they are even in the country, and I do often wish those who cannot behave or treat their hosts with respect would be deported.I also guess that as long as there are girly bars then there will always be people visiting them and if the Philippines were to clean up those then a lot of the economy of the Philippines would disappear, so they should probably just legalize prostitution but that will never happen. I think the fact that prostitution is illegal and that people come to the Philippines for exactly that reason, then some of those people act badly because they are forced to break the laws and sometimes forced to bribe officials who know what is going on and turn a blind eye to it until the time comes that they can make some money from it themselves and that is just wrong IMO. Last, when you say they really do not need us, I think you are wrong and I feel that the money many of us bring into their country and spend really helps the economy of the Philippines. I would love to know just how many retires are living in the Philippines on visas and ACR cards and then take that number and multiply it by and average figure that they probably bring into the country and I think that number would be in the Billions of dollars, so IMO yes they do need us and should actually treat us better and make life easier for us and for those who wish to migrate to the Philippines to improve their country, but that is just my opinion and they do not have to do anything for us if they do not wish to improve their country. Whoops, last, last I know for a fact that people within the government and newspapers read forums because I posted one idea on another forum about the Philippines becoming the shopping Mecca of Asia and within a month someone in government used my idea and ran with it, but I do not think it ever came about because of the excessive import duties, so yes we all have to be careful what we say while still being allowed to let off steam here rather than in everyday life. Forums are almost like an unreal world where people get to say and do things that they would never dare to say or do in real life, and I also feel that we can and should get to say or do it without having to worry about proper English, spelling, paragraphs etc and just post as we would speak and that is what I often do so that others will feel free to do it as well. :23_11_62[1]:

[jamesmusslewhite]

I know that retirees, business owners, and families do generate a positive long lasting impact to the local economies. Rentals, land purchases, construction, dry goods, groceries, clothing, household items, transportation, banking, restaurants, school tuitions, and entertainment tourism. This money makes it way to the locals and help generate and stimulate economies. This is vital to the local economy because this is a trickle-down money flow in a country that has a trickle-up economic base.The sex tourism trade generates a vast amount of monies but stays to a tight general select group of Filipino and foreigner owned businesses. this money does pay for employees and suppliers but for the most part it is locked away in vaults and used for power and influence that benefits a select portion of the Filipino population. This supply of resources has little benefit to the average Filipino. In fact it is one of the big factors that holds so many down. Large greedy businessmen employing, Goons, Guns, and Gold; that pay off local law enforcement and officials.I am not a socialist and am not endorsing redistribution of wealth, but I do believe there are certain revenues generated through tourism that the average Filipino could live without. That certain other groups of expats if promoted would be a far more positive long term impact on the average Filipino and his families. The jobs they generate are often in the rural areas that desperately need the infusion if economic stimulation. Replace the sex trades for families and retirees, and allow them to purchase and control homes and businesses. Allow a easier visa and residency process to assist this group into the rural areas and the local economies will thrive.But unless the trouble makers, bottom feeders, land sharks, and land pirates are held in check; and their unsavory influences taint local perceptions, than it will not chance for the better. Leaving many good people in limbo, while those others only want to party and do the limbo.

Edited August 10, 2009 by jamesmusslewhite

[Mr Lee]

I know that retirees, business owners, and families do generate a positive long lasting impact to the local economies. Rentals, land purchases, construction, dry goods, groceries, clothing, household items, transportation, banking, restaurants, school tuitions, and entertainment tourism. This money makes it way to the locals and help generate and stimulate economies. This is vital to the local economy because this is a trickle-down money flow in a country that has a trickle-up economic base.

I think you named many of the things our money helps and if only the average Filipinos could realize that then we might even be more apprecicated.

The sex tourism trade generates a vast amount of monies but stays to a tight general select group of Filipino and foreigner owned businesses. this money does pay for employees and suppliers but for the most part it is locked away in vaults and used for power and influence that benefits a select portion of the Filipino population. This supply of resources has little benefit to the average Filipino. In fact it is one of the big factors that holds so many down. Large greedy businessmen employing, Goons, Guns, and Gold; that pay off local law enforcement and officials.

I do think that the sex tourism does allow quite a bit of money to trickle down the the average Filipino, servers, food and alcohol suppliers, music makers, light and sound equipment suppliers, aircon repairmen, etc, etc, so indirectly besides the ladies that work at those places, the money does trickle down in many ways, but I too would rather have more families retiring to the Philippines and less of the sex industry because while I still think prostitution should be legal worldwide, I also think it should be better regulated and the ladies be checked more often and taught how to protect themselves from STD's so they do not get sick themselves and do not spread them around to others.

I am not a socialist and am not endorsing redistribution of wealth, but I do believe there are certain revenues generated through tourism that the average Filipino could live without. That certain other groups of expats if promoted would be a far more positive long term impact on the average Filipino and his families. The jobs they generate are often in the rural areas that desperately need the infusion if economic stimulation. Replace the sex trades for families and retirees, and allow them to purchase and control homes and businesses. Allow a easier visa and residency process to assist this group into the rural areas and the local economies will thrive.

I totally agree, the Philippines can be a shopping Mecca as well as a great place for many foreigners to live and also a tourist attraction, if only the infrastructure was improved and the greed of the people high up would diminish. I think it is better to sell 20 of an item and make a little tax on each and employ many more people than to make it all on one sale, but the very high taxes make the prices of electronics and other imports way to high for tourists to want to shop in the Philippines except for Philippine made products and even many of them are very over priced due to the very high VAT.

But unless the trouble makers, bottom feeders, land sharks, and land pirates are held in check; and their unsavory influences taint local perceptions, than it will not chance for the better. Leaving many good people in limbo, while those others only want to party and do the limbo.

I do not think that will ever happen because many of those run the government or pay off people in the government to run things their way.

[Guest OceanBreeze]

Well .. when I visit a country as tourist I have to be aware about its rules and laws. I accept it or I avoid such a country or my motto is .. no risk .. no fun. When I stayed in Bangkok some years ago.. I know how to treat Thais .. how to respect the King etc. When I stayed in Riyadh I know that I shouldnt wear a muscle shirt and shorts while walking through the market and also that pork meat and alcohol is not the fav food of a muslim ... And when I am in the Philippines I know that any political activity or heated discussion with Pinoys is not recommended for a foreigner... no, it can be even a very dangerous adventure. There are so many traps ... oops .. i mean legal risks for a foreigner in the Philippines ... I`ve also got my lessons.. Therefor .. play nice or risk serious problems. There will be more political activities for the upcoming 2010 national elections ....For example ... there is a law from Dec 3, 1985, BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 881 OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES , with some interesting content for foreigners:

Sec. 81. Intervention of foreigners. - It shall be unlawful for any foreigner, whether judicial or natural person, to aid any candidate or political party, directly or indirectly, or take part in or influence in any manner any election, or to contribute or make any expenditure in connection with any election campaign or partisan political activity.

Sec. 95. Prohibited contributions. - No contribution for purposes of partisan political activity shall be made directly or indirectly by any of the following: (h) Foreigners and foreign corporations.

Sec. 96. Soliciting or receiving contributions from foreign sources. - It shall be unlawful for any person, including a political party or public or private entity to solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any aid or contribution of whatever form or nature from any foreign national, government or entity for the purposes of influencing the results of the election.

Sec. 264. Penalties. - Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served. Any political party found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos, which shall be imposed upon such party after criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding officials have been found guilty.

[TheMason]

I personally think they should toss out 50% of the expats and be like other countries and close their borders and just worry about themselves. We often make more problems then we ever solve.They would do better without over opinionated, selfish, egotistical, separatist, elitist, money flashing poor boys, and those acting as if the locals or inferior. We have to many bottom feeding cultural rejects who have migrated into a young accommodating country. They really do not need us near as much as we convince ourselves that they do.

I could not agree more, but I think the number of people the country could do without is more than 50%. The best way to weed out the undesirable foreigners would be to tighten up the visa requirements. The key changes would do away with as many visa waiver on arrival and waiver extensions as possible. Admit tourists on a 30 day (or shorter) visa issued in their home country and discontinue extensions. Foreigners from ASEAN countries could receive a 30-day visa waiver with no extension in order to satisfy ASEAN requirements. For people that wish to stay longer, they can apply for permanent residency under the current quota/non-quota system, employment visas, apply for a Balikbayan visa in their home country, or the SRRV program.