He said free port which I think implies no charges made by local government who are now changing the rules. Not an "economic zone" which is completely different and which you immediately used to question his statement. I know someone who is trying to register a locally made speedboat but he has no manufacturers certificate of build which appears to have been dreamt up as required by the local Marina's office and as he cannot track down the manufacturer he cant get the boat registered.
A freeport in the Philippines is a special economic zone. Especially if national taxes and duties are reduced or exempt. There is an RA that governs what these special economic zones are and how/when they are approved. If local governments can declare something a freeport and reduce/exempt their local taxes fine. But that would not stop the the BIR from coming around because they are national. So maybe it could be a freeport in the eyes of the municipality but it doesn't appear that Manila considers it one. This is why I asked for a source. It was a statement that didn't seem to agree with reality. If it is a freeport then let's see what kind of freeport it actually is so that others may be informed. http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php/about-peza/special-economic-zone-act If you have a source for what qualifies as a freeport (other than what you "think" qualifies as one) then I would be happy to read it.
The whole goal of the Spanish system is to make simple things difficult. The Philippines has embraced this system and they are the poster child for ineptness and inefficiency.
Can I add: Also for a racist attitude from authorities, backed by the media. towards their immigrant guests, from whom they gain a large transfer of cash to their own citizens - both voluntary and scammed.
