BID lifts blacklist order vs. Sunshine cable TV host
BACOLOD CITY -- "I am again a Filipino citizen. My blood is still a Filipino. Bacolod is my place," said broadcaster Romy Niere, anchor of the program Options being aired over Sunshine Channel 14 in Bacolod City, after his name was included in the blacklist of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) upon the request of fellow broadcaster Franklin Villanueva formerly of F Channel 13.
The BID lifted the blacklist order issued to Mr. Niere dated July 16, 2008 and it also granted his petition for the issuance of an Identification Certificate (IC) pursuant to the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003 (R.A. 9225) in relation to Administrative Order No. 91, Series of 2004 and Memorandum Circular No. AFF-05-002.
BID Commissioner Marcelino C. Libanan signed the order for Niere to re-acquire his Filipino citizenship last August 10, 2008.
"A careful review of the documents submitted in support of the instant Petition indicate that the petitioner was a former citizen of the Philippines being born to Filipino parents and is presumed to be a natural born Philippine citizen; thereafter became an American citizen and a holder of an American passport; and has taken his oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines on 31 July 2008 and so is thereby deemed to have re-acquired his Philippine citizenship," Commissioner Libanan said.
Commissioner Libanan also lifted the blacklist order issued to Mr. Niere.
BID included Niere's name in the blacklist upon the request of Mr. Villanueva that he violated certain laws.
"However, considering that Mr. Villanueva has not presented proof that the presence of the subject is inimical to the welfare of the state and injurious to the public, we hereby Order that the name Romeo C. Niere be lifted from the Bureau's blacklist," Commissioner Libanan said.
To recall, last July 19, 2008, upon his arrival at the NAIA 2 Niere was shocked to discover that he was on the blacklist order of the BID and that there was an order to deport him. He was allegedly held for three hours at the Immigration Office.
"I was on the verge of being deported when I complained at the Field Supervisor, Mr. Peter Demetria that the blacklist order and deportation order were unjust and without basis as one can be deported only if he is proven to be guilty of being inimical to the welfare of the state and injurious to the public," Niere said.
Niere went back to Manila on July 24, 2008 to process the lifting of the blacklist order. "I, together with my lawyer and Mr. Amado Villacarlos, the President of Sunshine Channel 14, spoke with Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. and he was surprised when he saw the date of the blacklist order dated July 16, 2008 and the date of the subpoena which is July 25, 2008. He even commented that the orders such as the hold departure order, watchlist and blacklist must first go through his office for review and approval. It was discovered that there was a grave irregularity with the deportation order, and Justice Secretary Gonzalez immediately ordered the release of my passport and the postponement of the hearing. "
"I still believe that the truth and righteousness shall triumph over lies and deceptions and justice will prevail," Niere ended.