Restraints on political activities

[OceanBreezeInn]

It`s also strongly recommended for foreign tourists to think well about their visitor status and the Philippines law before being involved in political activities.

It can happen very quickly to be blacklisted for engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of the terms and conditions of their visa as temporary visitors as it recently happened to 9 Belgians who participated in an anti SONA demonstration:

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 “for engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of the terms and conditions of their visa as temporary visitors in this country.”

The BI chief cited a report from the police in Bacoor, Cavite about the Belgians’ participation in an anti-government rally last July 22 wherein the protesters marched in the towns of Dasmariñas, Imus and Bacoor to protest the SONA.

Source: philstar

[Rhoody]

I am sure there is another side to the story...

But at the end, if I put it into my country it would be great if the government acts like that and kicks some "unwanted" out.

I don't want Italians, or russians or whoever running around on demonstrations against the government in my country, where they basically have no relation to, just the benefit of making holiday there or earning a lot of black money...

As long I am a guest in a country I better behave like one and respect local laws and authorities.

My 2 centavos

[OceanBreezeInn]

Rhoody, I agree with you ... the only difference is that in your (democratic) country freedom of opinion is a constitutional right .. and why an umemployed Italian should not demonstrate against the government because of the economic desaster ? It`s his legal right ... even he is a foreigner.

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 is not recommended for a foreigner... no, it can be even a very dangerous adventure.

There are so many ... eehm .. lets call it 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.

You can see the different status of a foreigner in your home country and in the Philippines ?

[Rhoody]

oh, there are plenty of laws existing in my country, which would forbid those people demonstrating. But if someone would be kicked out (like deserved) the whole Yello-Press would jump on the side of the poor tourist/immigrant/black-money-earning farm helper and make front-page reports with pictures of his sad life, his family and his german sheppard...

but you are correct, my government allows terrorists to hide for years and even study (on the cost of the tax-payers) the best way to fly an aircraft into the world-trade center, foreigners have really a different status there...