Our naturalization law is bad [editorial]

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Part of The Bicol Star

Title: Our naturalization law is bad [editorial]
Language: English
Year: 1970
Rights
Fulltext: 2 THE BICOL STAR April 25, 1970 ft he ^icnl Jitar ENTERED, AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER At THE POST OFFICE, CITY OF NAGA. PHILIPPINES ON MAY 20. 1933. PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY ★ ^Bnntingo (A. jEscalante GENERAL MANAGER. PUBLISHER & EDITOR Anbres <§• Siez ASSOCIATE EDITOR feting ®afoagon JSilberin ^Icala JEal. ,d9fL ^uwaguitt Rainie be Io b Ratites ADVERTISING & PROMOTION JRntnen jp. ^fsralanie CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION SUBSCRIPTION RATES; P5.00 PER YEAR; P3.00 6 MONTHS P. O. BOX 123, CITY OF NAGA. PHILIPPINES MANILA BUREAU, 1963 DAPITAN. SAMPALOC----TEL. 60-66-55 ^ernarbinn (Angeles ©afuagott-—Manager Editorial: Our Naturalization Law is Bad One of the imperative measures which calls for immediate action by the present Congress is the amendment of our Naturalization Law. As all will remember, this law has been the subject of hot controversies in many past election campaigns. The case of Manuel Leelin who ran for Congressman for the second district of Camarines Sur in the last election was one of them that was hotly debated by the two major political parties. Even our known legal luminaries have been contradicting each other in their opinions on this controversial matter regarding acquired rights and privileges of a naturalized citizen. In order to save our people from the troubles that emanate from what is purely a Christian generosity of granting foreigners citizenship in our country, I am suggesting the following conditions and inhibitions which should be incorporated into a new law that we are recommending for congressional approval as soon as possible. Conditions for Admission to Philippine Citizenship 1. He should be at least a graduate of the secondary course in our public high schools which means to say that his education should be obtained exclusively from our public schools. 2. He should be married to a Philippine citizen. 3. Of good moral character. 4. He should have an income of not less than P6,000 a year. 5. He should have no record of conviction in any court for any crime committed. Inhibitions 1. He should not be allowed to run for any elective public office. 2. He is not to be given an employment in our Department of Foreign Affairs. 3. He should be allowed to purchase residential lots not exceeding the total of 4,000 square meters. 4. He should not be allowed to own more than 24 hectares of agricultural lands. Grounds for Annulment 1. Conviction for the crime of concubinage. 2. Evasion of payment of taxes. 3. Conviction for the crime of smuggling. 4. Conviction for crimes under capital punishment. It is to be regretted that up to this time, after many long years of suffering bitter consequences from financial exploitation by those we have granted the right and privilege to be citizens of our country, our Congress has not done anything to correct this evil either perhaps because they have been continuously bribed or they simply have been dispossessed by nature of the spirit of love of country above anything else. To continue overlooking this critical maAs I see It by B. M. Dumaguin From an unknown peninsula of Bataan, it became twenty eight years ago one of the most exalted symbols of democracy and freedom. It was not So much the magnitude of the battle which took place there that made Bataan so. Rather, it was the spirit of freedom that kept alive the defenders’ will to fight despite numerical odds, hunger, and hepelessness. Thus defeat, became victory; shame became glory. Twenty eight years has not dimmed our memory for those who fought, suffered, and died in this hallowed peninsula. Time cannot touch their heroic deeds, for they have become timeless. To the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor we can only say: Yous sacrifices are be in vain. Two weeks ago, on April 9, 1970, we commemorated the very memorable day. A day, which must at all times be very dear and very close to our hearts. Twenty eight years ago Bataan capitulated. The cream of our youth fought and died there so that DEMOCRACY and FREEDOM in our country will live; so that peace and liberty can be enjoyed. But the odds were great, so Bataan fell. A chapter of our history was closed and another was begun. The atmosphere brought about by the heroic deeds of our youth twenty eight years ago, seems to be good after all. Liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of making millions of money are being enjoyed. Alien businessmen are in our midst making the best of the situation to make millions because they enjoy the blessings of freedom, liberty, and democracy, not to say the least, security; because they are guaranteed in their business ventures; because they are cashing-in millions. Thanks to the sacrifices of our youth who gave their lives in the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor. Twenty eight years, however, did not teach so many to be grateful. Businessmen, aliens or otherwise, upon mention of the FALL OF BATAAN and CORREGIDOR they just do not give a hoot about the matter. To ask them to cooperate in a way so that we may remember the day in a way fitting only to BATAAN and CORREGIDOR, the first reaction that these beneficiaries of the sacrifices of our youth is “SORRY”, next time. These are the beneficiaries that should be shot, hanged, and demonstrated upon and whose millions should be confiscated. May the passing of the twenty eight years after the historic event, however, brings maturity and change of attitude to our seemingly friendly business visitors. May it bring ihem a certain degree of cooperation, especially to the Community Newspapers, if only to show that they area lot of gratefull beneficiaries... A Manila magazine columnist said that there now came the fourth kind of rich ... the recent rich. These are the counterfiet rich, he said. They are backed by up the peso, the (Continued on page 5) lady that is taking place in our country is the same as abandoning our last precious inheritance for the benefit of foreign reptiles and crocodiles.—AGD Cong. Ramon H. Felipe chides Gene Balfermostfs column "From the Hilltop” April 11, 1970 The Editor The Bicol Star Naga City Dear Sir: I was somewhat amused by the following item in Mr. Gene E. Balfermoso’s column entitled “From the Hilltop” in your issue of April 4, 1970: - "Cam. Sur Partition-This gobbledegook in partition can be termed ‘Filipenization’. In other words, it is more of a ‘political dilettantism’. The Sorsoguenos as, reported instantly demonstrated against partition. This is a good sign of vigilance. “We believe over exercise of ‘political deletantism’ on the part of our politicians made this country what it is: economically incapable, a country of vested interests where 90% of the nation’s wealth are in the hands of a privileged few. In which case the rich grows richer and the poor becomes poorer. "Once in a while the citizenry should forge and cross party lines to put up a solid front against the desultory tactics of politicians who would always think in terms of staying in power- ' advocating parapatriotic partition for progress’ but actuality would turn out partition for political aggrandizement, political tie-up and control.” Apparently, in spite of his fondness for high-sounding word0, such as “obbledegook”, Felipenization”, “political dilettantism”, “parapatriotic”, “political aggrandizement”, Mr. Balfermoso cannot read simple English or Bicol! In my letter to you, Mr. Editor, dated March 17, 1970, which was published in the Bicol Star and other local papers. 1 made it clear that ,Rep. Fuentebella and myself had., not yet filed any bill in Congress for the division of Camarines Sur; that we just wanted to provoke open and healthy discussion of the idea to find out the consensus of public opinion. The division of Sorsogon and the creation of the Municipality of Larap, Camarines Noite are entirely different from the case of Camarines Sur, because in the former the bills were presented by their sponsors, Rep. Rafael Aquino and Rep. Fernando Pajarillo without even consulting their constituents on the matter. I am, therefore, to say the least, why Mr. Balfermoso should indulge in insulting and uncharitable "Reflections after Easter”. I always thought that Easter was a time for charity and joy. But it seems that Mr. Balfermoso practices a different brand of Christianity from ours. Frankly, I cannot see anything wrong in “floating” an idea to find out the reaction of the public. On the contrary, I believe that Rep. Fuentebella and myself are only being truly democratic in consulting our constituents before taking any positive action on the REP. R. FELIPE, JR. idea. Why then should Mr. Balfermoso abuse and insult us? If he is opposed to the idet of partition, he could have just stated his reasons against, without descending to personalities. But, apparently, from his “HILLTOP” perch, Mr. Balfermoso now thinks that he is one of the gods on Mt. Olympus, and any mortal who disagrees with his personal views should be condemned to Hades. Nevertheless, in spite of some columnists like Mr. Balfermoso, I have always been for freedom of the press. But at the same time, I believe that congressmen and other government officials have a similar freedom to consult their constituents on important public issues without being accused maliciously of ulterior motives. If I had any ulterior motive, I could have just filed the bill in Congress without consulting anyone. Thank you. Yours in Christian charity, RAMON FELIPE, Jr. Congressman Buhi Hosted ANF Annual Confab Buhi, C.S. — This tourist town hosted the 17th General Annual Convention ot Adoracion Nocturna Filipina (ANF) Saturday April 11 with local Turnos Nos. 392 and 394 as participating hosts. Brother Guillermo Alteza also incumbent member of the Buhi Municipal Council was most instrumental in having the affair something to remember. Some 300 delegates from all over the province of Cam Sur delighted in seing the tourist town of Buhi. The faithfuls were served during the luncheon by whitely-uniformed St Bridget’s students on the spacious halls of the St Bridget’s School SBS girl serenaders kept the occasion lively and while the luncheon lasts the delegates were admirably outspoken on the tables - Buhi’s smallest fish. Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, S. J. ANF National Director, guest of the convent.on made the gist the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina counts with 45,000 members in the Philippines and 1,200 active turnos have been registered actively with the organization. Fr. Guerrero further elaborated that the spirit of the Adoracion Nocturna in the service to Christ never changes even in the midst of tbs couutry’s political and economic upheavals.