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I would agree that 75% of Filipino's know little to nothing about their own government or its laws. A recent ABS poll showed that 73% of Filipino's don't know what type of government they have.
If you run a business or do any kind of thing that involves working with the government you will get a taste of corruption and lack of knowledge about the laws.
Basically the system works on second hand rumors and hearsay about laws ( even from the people who work for the government) and bribes. Government organizations make up stuff as they go with total disregard for what is actual written law.
I good example of this is the DFA. If you have a spouse and want a passport for your spouse you go to the DFA and apply. BUT since the spouse has a foreigner as partner the DFA will refuse to issue the passport until the applicant goes to either Cebu or Manila for a seminar and get a certificate from the CSA to show to the DFA. That is a made up requirement by the DFA and is illegal. Nothing in the Laws of the Philippines gives the DFA that authority. I challenged the Iloilo DFA and reported their behavior to the DFA Manila and the DOJ. I received a letter of apology and my wife's passport was sent via courier to our house. After we moved here I discovered that the Dumaguete DFA still practices this illegal requirement and people still make two and three trips to Cebu to get the CSA stamp and certificate in their spouses passport. You do not need the CSA certificate until you are trying to leave the Philippines with your spouse. The Passport law is very clear and concise. Every Filipino is entitled to a passport unless they are a convicted felon or are under prosecution for a felony. Nothing in that law states an exception if married to a foreigner.

 

I am loaning her a laptop until she leaves as the police are holding their stolen/recovered laptop as evidence. Their cell phone was also stolen and I don't have an extra one to loan them. If someone has an extra cheapo Android phone kicking around that we could load Google Voice/Hangouts on, that would be awesome. Just PM me and I will arrange to pick it up. Thanks.

 

Again, thanks all for the great tips. Although I hate to move multiple times, we might be best off getting a place for a month or 2 then with boots on the ground looking for a 6 month - 1 year rental.

 

I like Valencia alot. Easy to get to Dumaguete or to Bacong or going North if you want to go to Tanjay etc. The air is cooler and traffic is not an issue. I have traveled around Cebu, CDO,Iligan city, Makati, Manila,bohol and another dozen places or so and none of the places were for me on a permanent basis. The biggest problem for me is the lack of Bisaya I have and my lack of patience. I think once I learn the language better and i can gear down to Phil speed...i should be fairly happy living in Valencia. I will miss alot about the USA but overall my main reason for the USA is work related only. Good luck finding your home.

 

Good news. I got flagged down by the police I talked to at the police station while walking by them in front of Robinsons. They said they ended up figuring out where the guy lived and they dropped him off at his apartment.

 

lol Jack, Mokin john will come good, he is eating n drinking now, we can bring him home tomo so he may get to play with his brother yet . when the rain comes