Not standing up and being counted on Burma

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/12/yehey/opinion/20090112opi3.html

OPEN NOTEBOOK
By Random Jottings


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