Following the apology of controversial HK Magazine columnist Chip Tsao, the Philippines is now looking into the possibility of removing him from the Bureau of Immigration’s blacklist.

J. Eduardo Malaya, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, told abs-cbnNEWS.com in a text message, that the DFA is already studying the recommendation of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Filipino authorities in Hong Kong have recommended to lift the ban on the possible entry of Tsao to the Philippines following his formal and personal apology made at the Philippine's Consulate in China's Special Admimnsitrative Region.

Tsao was placed under the immigration blacklist for being an undesirable alien in connection with his March 27 article “The War at Home.”

“This is our manifestation of disgust against the racial slur and insult committed by Mr. Tsao against us as a people,” Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said after announcing the issuance of the blacklist order.

Tsao called the Philippines a “nation of servants” not worthy of claiming the Spratly Islands from China, citing the fact that Hong Kong employs hundreds of thousands of Filipino domestic helpers on very low wages.

The HK Magazine columnist had publicly apologized amid mounting criticisms.

The DFA said Tsao conveyed his “most sincere apologies for the offense he had caused” to Philippine consulate officials and Filipino community leaders at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong.

During his visit to the Philippine consulate last April 1, Tsao indicated his interest to visit the country someday, Malaya said.

Protest vs racism, discrimination

Meanwhile, thousands of Filipinos are expected to join a demonstration in Hong Kong Sunday to protest racism and discrimination against Filipino household workers.

The United Filipinos in Hong Kong, said the rally hopes to send out a "loud and clear message that Filipinos, especially Filipino domestic helpers, will not take racial slurs and class discrimination sitting down."

"Though Tsao has apologized for this transgression, the need for Filipinos to stand up against racism and discrimination is called for. It is imperative for the voices of Filipino domestic helpers to be heard on this issue," said Dolores Balladares, the group’s chairwoman.

Balladares said it is high time to conduct a "serious review and action" on current Hong Kong policies on foreign maids as well as the labor export program of the Philippine government.

"The dearth on decent jobs and sufficient social services in our country force millions of Filipinos to seek jobs abroad and turn professional teachers, nurses and midwives into domestic helpers, entertainers and lowly factory workers," she added.

Balladares said her group will intensify its campaign against policies of both Hong Kong and Philippines that allegedly put Filipino migrants in a discriminatory condition.