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Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Dutchman comes face to face with 'tormentors'
CONTROVERSIAL Dutch businessman Johannes Kooring went to the town hall of Glan, Sarangani, Monday in a bid to thresh out his differences with local elected officials.
Kooring, who was declared persona non grata by the Municipal Council, was blacklisted by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) and prevented from returning to the country early this year.
He arrived in the country last month upon the intercession of Dutch embassy officials.
Kooring was accompanied by former Dutch Ambassador Theo Arnold and BID alien control officer Ernesto Mercado during the meeting.
Also present was businessman Tony Leviste, husband of Senator Loren Legarda.
Leviste is a member of the Board of Investments that oversees foreign investments in the country.
During the dialogue that was attended by Glan Mayor Enrique Yap Jr. and members of the Municipal Council, Kooring apologized for his behavior, which led to the passage of a resolution declaring him an undesirable alien in the town.
Kooring is building a posh resort hotel complex in Glan but construction was stopped due to his spat with Yap whom he accused of trying to get bribe money from him in exchange for the issuance of a business permit. Yap, however, vehemently denied Kooring's allegation.
The meeting ended Monday without a clear decision on the part of the Municipal Council whom Kooring asked that the resolution declaring him persona non grata be recalled.
Mercado said the Council members were scheduled to meet Monday to discuss Kooring's request.
Mercado said if the Council members decide to recall the resolution, BID Commissioner Andrea Domingo might lift the ban on Kooring.
Kooring is here on a four-week temporary visa to give him ample time to resolve his differences with local government officials in Glan. EGE
(November 4, 2003 issue)
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