Lawmaker wants Donald Trump to be declared ‘persona non grata’.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda wants business magnate and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to be declared ‘persona non grata’ in the Philippines
The Republican nominee called immigration from the so-called “terrorist nations” problematic because the immigrants won’t be vetted by the government beforehand. The business mogul-turned-politician mentioned the immigrants from the Philippines, alongside with Somalia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen, to be limited entry to United States of America because they pose terrorism in US.
Trump’s racist comment enraged Salceda and the congressman said the billionaire has no basis on his claim that Filipinos come from a terror state. He also said the Philippines does not deserve Trump’s judgment and he must not be allowed to enter the country.
Trump himself has experienced Filipino hospitality when he went here for his join property project.
On Friday, officials in the Malacañan Palace slammed the Republican standard bearer for his tactlessness.
Communications Sec. Martin Andanar said Trump’s statements were opposite his words when he opened his luxury apartment in Makati City where he said that he loves the Philippines and once called it a ‘special place’.
“In fact, Mr. Trump has even professed his love for the Philippines during the launch of his 57-storey luxury apartment in Makati”, said Andanar.
He also added that Philippines is a ‘peace loving country’ and refuses to engage in terrorism.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella echoed Andanar’s statements and said that although Trump has the right to his opinion but he must look into the contributions Filipino immigrants have in the US.
“Very productive po ang ating mga tao roon and they have made great contributions. Meron po tayong mga high-profile Filipinos., like Loida Nicolas-Lewis.At marami po tayong mga unknowns who have really done so much for and contributed to the US government so— Pero kung ‘yun po ang opinion niya, well, he is entitled to his own opinion. But we encourage him to look into what the Filipino community has done”, Abella said.