Bato recalls being held for carrying over P10,000 abroad: ‘Baka akala nila construction worker ako’

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Probably thinking he was a construction worker, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa recalled being held by immigration officers for bringing P11,000 abroad.

He was a colonel at that time, traveling to Taiwan with former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was then the mayor  of Davao City.

Dela Rosa shared this experience Monday night while his colleagues were discussing in the plenary about the fake electronic arrival card (Ecard) and some old requirements still being implemented by customs and immigration workers at the airport.

“Alam mo yung P10,000, naging biktima ako nyan kasi nung bumyahe ako sa Taiwan, may dala akong P11,000 at hinold ako ng immigration dahil akala nila OFW (overseas Filipino worker) ako. Baka akala nila construction worker ako ba na pupunta ako doon, hinold ako,” he said.

(You know, I was victimized by that P10, 0000 requirement because I traveled to Taiwan, I brought P11,000 and I was held by the immigration because they thought I was an OFW. Maybe they thought I was a construction worker going there so they held me.)

He said he was only released after Duterte told immigration officers he was traveling with Dela Rosa.

“Hinold talaga ako, P10,000. Ang alam ko, 10,000 dollars bakit ginawang pesos. That has to be checked,” Dela Rosa  said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was presiding over the session, noted that in other countries, passengers are required to report if they are bringing money in excess of US$10,000.

“Ang alam ko nga 10,000 dollars yan, bakit P10,000 hino-hold nyo ako? Sabi nila, P10,00 daw,” Dela Rosa said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva joined the discussion, pointing out that passengers are not prohibited from bringing in the said amount but are just required to report it to authorities.

“That’s the rule of thumb. Unfortunately in the Philippines, I was told P10,000 which is ridiculous and absurd, Villanueva  said.

It was Senator Pia Cayetano, who opened the discussion when she called the attention of her colleagues about a fake website, asking passengers to pay $70 for Ecard. She said she would deliver a privilege speech on this issue.

The Bureau of Quarantine has already warned travelers about these illegal websites, reminding the Ecard is free of charge.

“That’s why it’s best to just let go of that Ecard,” Zubiri then said, saying the Bureau of Immigration could just get the information such as proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result directly from the passengers.

Cayetano, meanwhile, questioned why she was still instructed by immigration to follow quarantine requirements after her recent flight to Korea when the said requirement has long been lifted.

It was then that Zubiri mentioned about the P10,000 reportorial requirement in the custom’s declaration form, prompting Dela Rosa to share his past experience.

JMS