So there is no justice for expats in the philippines?

It appears philippine citizen are free to prey upon westerners in any way they choose and there is nothing that can be done about things like being stolen from, falsely accused in many matters such as an accident or if you need to defend yourself or your property. Am i mistaken? or is that the reality of this country. I realize there is injustice and corruption in every country in the world. But i want to find one to live in that offers good value for my retirement income, but that has fairness for people also. Anyone know where that may be, all jokes aside, seriously, i just want to live in peace and comfort and somewhere i have no worries about unfairness and injustice. treat people well and they treat you well.

 

For Central America you might want to check out Costa Rica. The have a good programme to attract retirees.

There are no guarentees anywhere of course, so you always need a plan B to keep in reserve. For me, Cambodia is my plan B if things go really pear-shaped here.

 

The reality here is difficult, but other countries may be the same

To live in peace in the Philippines, you somewhat have to live in isolation from the general society. Foreigners are looked upon as "cash cows' regarding anything financial. The police and other governmental officials are generally involved in the shakedowns. Even recently the 7 million ransom that was given for the release of an Australian had "middle men" taking 3 milllion of the 7 million according to the Inquirer Newspaper. Otherwise you are almost normally respected. You will be overcharged, and under change returned but that is the way it is here.... you are their cash cow, and they have never heard the saying "Don't kill the goose who lays the golden egg." Do expect to be told by the average prideful Filiopiino you are a foreigner here and you have no rights, as they butt in line in front of you etc.

I usually reply that if it was not for my tax dollars and my country they would be speaking Japanese as the national language for the past 50 years, and probably be speaking Chinese in the future. It is amazing how much they speak against the US, even as the ask for help in defending themselves from others because their own military that has been destroyed from within by corruption within the country.

To say the you are considered a second rate citizen here, would be a huge upgrade from the life you are really living here. You must consider that you are only a visitor, having little to no rights. You have no chance in hell, of winning a proper judicial verdict against a Filipino. That is the reality of this country.

The reality here is difficult, but other countries may be the same or worst.

 

You are absolutely spot on mate.

and,

Australia would be in the same position if the USA had not assisted us during WWII, that is a fact.

Although, we still reserve the right to take the mickey out of you guys when we are so inclined.......... lol ......... trying to instill an Australian sense of humour into your culture.............

 

Sometimes I get tired of being cheated or short changed here (almost always with a smile)....
But then I remember getting an absurdly expensive speeding ticket from speed traps in the US or getting set up for running a red light when it was a fast yellow with absolutely no other cars on the road.
And I can't forget the shakedowns by the IRS,
And hidden service charges, interest rate hikes, and automotive repair costs.....
One of the reasons I decided to leave the US was that it seemed like the only business anyone was interested in was ripping each other off.

 

I remember where I grew up anyone from out of town was treated with a bit of distance until they got to know you. if you were a school age kid and not from that town heaven help you fitting in. This is northern New England I am talking about. I can not even begin to imagine the bullying and ridicule a Filipino kid would have gotten. It was tough for me and I came from only a 2 towns away. The town I lived in before moving here is a small resort town and I lived there almost twenty years and never bothered anyone yet I was still treated as an outsider. People from other states are commonly called flatlanders and are to be taken advantage of as they see fit. If I had been told about another place in the US that was free of greed and corruption in it's many forms I would have moved there long ago.
I feel I have more freedom here than back "home". I have learned not to make snap decisions and to go with the flow. Learning a bit of the language has rewarded me a hundred fold even if I sound like a 3 year old. I have NEVER been laughed at for at least trying to converse to the best of my ability. I know absolutely how people from my old hometown would react (not all) to someone with limited English skills. "Foreigners" have caused me many more headaches here than the locals. I have lost count of how many cell phones friends have lost and had returned. To me this is not another country, it is another planet and after 6 years I am still amazed by some of the things I see. I don't know why anyone would live anywhere they did not like. The airport is so near and so many daily flights. The stuff that bugs me here is a drop in the bucket compared to the stuff that got to me in the USA.
Scott

 

thanks

thanks for your input

 

Hi syrkyn.

I notice that you are living on Bohol.

What is your impression of the island ?

Thanks.