⌛ Philippine Embassy Madrid.

Hi All, I am at the PI Embassy in Madrid Tomorrow. Are there any Queries or Questions I can ask for anyone while I am there. Just a thought.

It would have to be Specific to the PI as they won't know much about your own country of origin but as I am there!

Jack P.

 

Yes ask them if Balikbayan visa program applies to any Balikbayan from any country or from specific countries, Since there is little information on the BI site I believe it depends on the country you were residing in.

 

JackP, very likely they will have such a lot of questions to you that there will be ample time left for asking THEM
But ........well....????? .......eeehh..... ask him what he thinks when foreigners will be able to own land in the Philippines since that has been "promised" already years ago to hapen soon :D:D:D
Good luck tomorrow.

 

Hi Jellyfish.

There is a considerable likelihood that the Philippine embassy in Madrid will know squat!

My own experience with the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa reflected that. It was empowered to issue a tourist visa foe 59 days. End of story. It's a turf war and Immigration guards its own with zeal.

Any further advice was either incorrect or repudiated by B of I here. Check the B of I website thoroughly. You will eventually find an address at which you may submit your question by E-mail and a toll free number if you require immediate assistance.

There is tons of info on the B of I site. Most of us are just not patient enough to find it. Look in unexpected places, like the news file.

 

OK So! lets start you answer by saying YES! you are so right about the information you have to date. The Visa requirements are getting a little heavy for the Balikbayan Visa programme. The visa section here in Madrid thought I was a little simple at first. Why would an Englishman, living in Spain. has a pinoy wife resident in Dumaguete, Need to know about this Type of Visa stamp? After a few questions and answers I had the whole hall laughing. Any way, the lady in question just told me that the Philippine embassy in SINGAPORE was the best place to ask, it would seem that they are now far the best PI Embassy to give the Information. I have searched and , well Pedro, it is Good what I read. Just go to Google, click up The embassy and on the home page you will find the link you need.

I trust that the information is what you were seeking. If not then I am sorry but I did my best. :o


Jack P.

 

jellyfish, Your request was a little harder, my reason for the visit to the embassy was a little more that visa issues. I had a meeting with the Attache to the DFA and I can assure you, " Diddly Squat " was not the answer. I had an afternoon meeting with the attache and as I was known here for the work I had done, I was invited to lunch in the gardens of the Embassy. Joined by the lady from the visa section, I had some time to enquire about some things. In the main I was reminded about the 1975 spanish constitution that denied FOREIGNERS from owning land in Spain. This was rescinded in 1986 when Spain seeked entry to the EEC. ( European Economic community ) and Thus allowed foreigners to own land in common with Europe.
I was then told that the 1935 constitution of the PHILLIPINES denied the ownership of land to foreigners. It is this constitution that has held up the law changes to allow foreigners to own land. According to the attache, constitution changes are a big problem in SEA and for this reason it is going to be some time before any law concerning land will or can be changed. There are some amendments to the LAW and again it can be found in the HOME PAGE of the Philippine Embassy SINGAPORE, look under other useful information and click Land ownership. It would appear that Singapore has got it's act together with regard to the PI. Whilst I do agree that there is some need for Retraining, Education and some understanding of certain Embassy staff, I feel that asking Questions in a Positive and friendly way yields results. This attitude of treating them with contempt is not going to get anyone anywhere. need I say more? I had a Good day at the Spanish Embassy of the PI and learned a lot. " NOT DIDDLY SQUAT " I just hope the answers you find will be of some use.

Also jellyfish I was asked to direct you to www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9 apparently this is the latest up date to land ownership law.

Regards and Happy reading Jack P.