Manila - The Philippine government yesterday said it was demanding a formal apology from actor Alec Baldwin, over a joke he made on TV on Tuesday last week.

The actor told talkshow host David Letterman he was 'thinking about getting a Filipina mail-order bride... or a Russian'.

'I don't care, I'm 51,' said Baldwin, who is divorced from actress Kim Basinger. Letterman replied: 'Get one for me, for later' to laughter from the audience.

Manila's consul-general to New York, Ms Cecilia Rebon, had been asked to send a letter to Baldwin and the show's producers 'to express deep concern over the derogatory remark', the foreign department said.

It added: 'The consulate shares the sentiments expressed by many others that although said in jest, the remarks displayed insensitivity and tactlessness.'

The interview has caused outrage among the huge Filipino diaspora. At least three members of the Philippine Senate have also demanded that Baldwin publicly apologise, stressing that the mailorder bride business was outlawed in the Philippines.

Senator Loren Legarda said: 'Incidents of mockery against our race happen again and again. Again and again we must not fail in our strong condemnation and resounding assertion of our dignity.

'Let us make it clear to the world: Filipino women are not for sale. Not even for sale to Hollywood actors.'

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