This was big news a couple of days ago: President Arroyo's only daughter Luli had an encounter with an immigration officer at NAIA. As I watched the news of the Immigration Officer being sacked from his job, I actually felt glad -- serves him right. It's not that it's his bad luck he did not recognize the only daughter of the president (which you'll automatically assume) but because of his behavior towards foreigners and Filipinos.
For me, Filipinos should also be treated well by these immigration officers and not just foreigners. As it is, when an immigration officer questions a fellow Filipino, they seem to be so discriminating. But if they're entertaining foreigners, they are so accomodating. I experienced this first hand when we left for Singapore at the Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark, Pampanga. The lady officer who accomodated me was so rude that I was having a hard time controlling my temper. We were even forwarded to another immigration officer for further questioning. When we arrived back from Singapore, there weren't any questions asked but they could have at least smiled or whatever -- just so they won't look so rude. Just a word of advice, be wary of the customs officers at the airport -- I'd say they're really corrupt. I hated it when I was charged a huge amount for some stuff I bought and held my passport if I wouldn't pay. If only I wasn't in a hurry to catch the last bus out of clark I wouldn't have paid a single cent. Damn them!
Anyway, it's a good thing that immigration officer came accross the presidential daughter and got what he deserves. At least now those officers might look at Filipinos travelling with added respect and not like low class citizens in our own country. Hats off to Luli for what she's done...
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