MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines protested on Tuesday famous American actor Alec Baldwin's purported slur on Filipino women when he joked in a television talk show last week that he was planning to buy a Filipina mail-order bride since he was already 51 years old.

Baldwin, star of the comedy hit show “30 Rock” and a divorced father of a 13-year-old daughter, joined the ranks of internationally recognized celebrities who have maligned Filipinos.

“Philippine Consul General in New York Cecilia Rebong is sending a letter to the producers of the 'Late Show with David Lettermen' and to Mr. Alec Baldwin to express deep concern over the derogatory remarks made by Baldwin in a television interview last May 12,” DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“The consulate shares the sentiments expressed by many others that although said in jest, the remarks displayed insensitivity and tactlessness,” he added.

Baldwin said in an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman” last May 12 how he thought of getting, or buying, himself a Filipina bride.

“I think about getting a Filipino mail-order bride at this point or a Russian one, I don’t care, I’m 51," Baldwin told host David Letterman.

Although it was delivered in jest, Baldwin’s remark caused the audience to break into laughter and prompted Letterman, to respond: "Get one for me [also], for later."

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it did not find the statement funny as it showed Baldwin' lack of sensitivity and tact towards other nationalities.

Earlier, Teri Hatcher questioned in jest the medical certificates of Filipino doctors in one segment of “Desperate Housewives.”

Then, British show Harry & Paul ridiculed a Filipina maid as a sex symbol in their show.

And just recently, Hong Kong magazine columnist Chip Tsao called the Philippines a nation of servants but later personally apologized for it before the consulate in Hong Kong.

Senator Ramon Revilla and Representative Riza Hontiveros earlier expressed outrage over Baldwin's joke on Filipino women.

They said Baldwin should realize that facilitating or arranging a marriage between a Filipina and a foreigner has been prohibited under Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law of 1990.

Violators face imprisonment of six to eight years, and the payment of a fine between P8,000 and P20,000.

A foreign national caught engaged in such a scheme will also be meted the same penalties, then deported and barred from entering the Philippines for life.

Baldwin is a board member of People For the American Way and a vocal supporter of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).