Consulate lectures Baldwin on Pinay mail-order brides

MANILA, Philippines - American actor Alec Baldwin got a free lecture from the Philippine Consulate in New York about Filipino mail-order-brides, which he jokingly expressed interest in buying.

In a letter addressed to the actor on Tuesday, Consul General Cecilia Rebong said the 30 Rock actor’s May 12 statement on the “Late Show with David Letterman" gave them the impression that “Filipino women can be categorized as easy commodities for sale."

“The Philippine is one of the leading countries in the effort to eliminate the trafficking of women and children," Rebong wrote.

She noted the key legislations against human smuggling including: Republic Act 6955 or “The Anti Mail-Order Bride Law of 1990" and the RA 9208: “The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act," which criminalizes the act of “introducing for money or other consideration any Filipino to a foreigner as a possible spouse."

"Being an actor and a comedian it is understandable that you may not be aware of these matters," Rebong added.

But the consulate reminded the veteran actor to be sensitive to discriminatory statements especially in a very diverse country like the Philippines.

“To label women married to US nationals as ‘mail-order brides’ simply because they are overseas, or from the Philippines or Russia in particular, is offensive and prejudiced," she said. [See: 'Alec Baldwin doesn’t deserve a Filipina wife']

Despite the lecture, the Philippine Consulate in New York, where “The Late Show" and Baldwin’s show 30 Rock are taped, does not demand any apology from him.

At least three Philippine lawmakers on the other hand, are asking Baldwin to say sorry.

"For him, it is funny but to the millions of Filipinos, it is mockery. Bad joke, not worth laughing," said Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., himself a celebrity in the Philippine movie industry. - GMANews.TV

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