Persona non grata (Philippines)

Persona non grata, in the context of Philippine local governance refers individuals or groups declared as unwelcomed in a particular locality.

For the diplomatic term, see persona non grata.

Definition

Persona non grata means an unwelcomed person in Latin. In the context of diplomacy or international relations, a persona non grata declaration on a foreign citizen, usually a diplomat who otherwise has a privilege of immunity, is barred from entering the country which issued the declaration.[1] In the context of local governance in the Philippines, local government units (LGUs, including municipalities, cities, and provinces) could declare a person persona non grata. One such reason for a move is in response to the particular person breaking local ordinances and laws.[2]

The declaration would imply that a person is barred from entering the jurisdiction of a particular locality.[2] However, according to a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) legal opinion, persona non grata declarations are often made through resolutions by the local legislature rather than ordinances and is merely made to express a sentiment. In the case of the municipal council of Anahawan, Southern Leyte declaring then-newly installed Mayor Roberto Loquinte as persona non grata for their opinion of Loquinte being unfit for the position, the DILG said that the local legislature is within their right to issue the declaration but the same must be done "within the bounds of the law". It said that it could not legally prevent Loquinte from assuming the position as Mayor and/or discharging his function, an act which the DILG finds reprehensible[3][4]

Notable personae non gratae

The following are notable people or groups who were declared as persona non grata by local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines. This excludes foreigners who were only barred entry and/or deported by the Philippine national government but includes foreigners who were declared as persona non grata by LGUs.

Celebrities
Person Issuing LGU Date Background Ref.
Claire DanesManila1998American actress Claire Danes after the shooting for the film Brokedown Palace was completed, was labeled persona non grata by the Manila City Council after she commented in Vogue that Manila was a "ghastly and weird city". In response to the declaration, then President Joseph Estrada remarked that Danes should not be allowed to enter the Philippines. Danes in her defense said that the remarks was made in the context of Brokedown Palace which was filmed in the impoverished parts of Manila and maintained that her comments was not reflective of her opinions towards Filipinos as a whole.[5][6]
Ramon BautistaDavao City2014The Davao City Council declared comedian Ramon Bautista as persona non grata for his remarks that there are many hipon in the city during a rave party which is part of the Kadayawan Festival. Hipon, which literally translates to shrimp, is a colloquial term for a person with an attractive body but an unappealing face. Bautista has apologized for his remarks.[7]

Politicians
Person Issuing LGU Date Background Ref.
Rodolfo FariñasIlocos Norte2017The provincial board of Ilocos Norte declared Rodolfo Fariñas, incumbent 1st district representative of the province in the House of Representatives, as persona non grata after Fariñas launched an inquiry on the Ilocos Norte tobacco excise tax funds controversy. Fariñas himself is a resident of Laoag, the province's capital.[2]

Groups
Group Issuing LGU Date Background Ref.
Communist Party of the Philippines
New People’s Army
National Democratic Front
(CPP–NPA–NDF)		Various—The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) says that around 1,546 local government units in the Philippines (64 provinces, 110 cities and 1,372 municipalities) has declared the communist rebel groups as persona non grata as of December 11, 2020.[8][9]
Panday SiningManila2019Members of the artist militant group has been declared as persona non grata for spray-painting on walls on United Nations Avenue and the Lagusnilad underpass with messages calling for the end of political repression.[10]

References
  1. "Persona non grata for beginners". The Filipino Times. April 29, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  2. Dumlao, Artemio (June 28, 2017). "Fariñas declared persona non grata by his home province". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. "DILG Opinion No. 30 S. 2020" (PDF). Department of Interior and Local Government. February 7, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  4. "League of Municipalities backs Tawi-tawi judge". The Mindanao Examiner. November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  5. "Claire Danes no thrilla for Manila". CNN. September 9, 1998. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  6. "Manila Is Mad At Claire Danes". CBS News. October 10, 1998. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  7. Hegina, Aries Joseph (August 19, 2014). "Davao City declares Ramon Bautista as 'persona non grata' –report". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. Hallare, Katrina (11 December 2020). "CPP-NPA-NDF members declared persona non grata in 1,546 LGUS — DILG". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  9. Arcilla, Gigie (28 January 2021). "CPP-NPA-NDF not welcome in Mandaluyong City, 1,545 LGUs". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  10. "Manila city council declares Panday Sining 'persona non grata'". Rappler. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
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