Dave Starr

Why Choose the Philippines — Is Malaysia a Better Choice?

27/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Why Choose the Philippines — Is Malaysia a Better Choice?

(last updated 27 November 2018)

I originally wrote this about 8 years ago. It was in response to a lot of mail I was receiving on the subject of what country was “best” to live in for US expats.

At the time, Malaysia was advertising The Malaysia My Second Home program and many expats wondered how that program compared with what was available to retirees in the Philippines.

Significantly updated and corrected. Only a few things have changed in 8 years, mostly making it even easier to stay in the Philippines.

Why choose the Philippines?

That’s a very good question. Why choose the Philippines instead of the nation of Malaysia for retirement, or just an escape from the western world rat race? [Read more…] about Why Choose the Philippines — Is Malaysia a Better Choice?

Guam Divorces for Philippine Marriages

24/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Guam Divorces for Philippine Marriages.

(Updated 24 November 2018)

Recently I’ve published several articles on divorce in the Philippines.

We’ve also mentioned the idea of the foreigners (non-Filipino) member of the marriage going to a country other than the Philippines.

They can obtain a divorce in the foreign country and then their Filipino partner can file a court case in the Philipines for recognition of the foreign divorce.

This process will then free both members of the marriage to be free to marry again, in any country, anywhere.

Now, Why Would An American Go To Guam For A Divorce?

Well, there are a number of possibly good reasons.

Let’s look at a few of them: [Read more…] about Guam Divorces for Philippine Marriages

Marriage, Nationality and Divorce

18/11/2018 by Dave Starr 18 Comments

Marriage, Nationality and Divorce

(Updated 19 November 2018)

Here’s an article I republished many years ago and just recently updated.

And updated yet again because of some activity in the area of divorce law, and statements made by the Pope on a visit to the Philippines.

Things Are Different in the Philippines

Here’s an excellent article that will serve as a primer on the way divorce, annulment and citizenship work in the Philippines.

It describes the strange and often cruel way the laws about marriage, divorce, annulment and citizenship are applied to citizens of the Philippines (especially, female citizens).

Those of you considering marriage with a citizen of the Philippines really need to do some studying and “thinking through”. Virtually everything regarding marriage and divorce here is different than what you know from the USA,

By Atty. Rita Linda V. Jimeno

The story of Rosanne in my column last week triggered numerous reactions from readers that merit discussion. As a jump-off point, we shall encapsulate Rosanne’s case. Her Filipino husband who used to be loving and conscious of his familial obligations, abandoned all his duties toward her and their children when, as a result of his prolonged employment abroad, he found a new love. He then divorced her and married his lover with whom he now has two children.

We said that there is a gap in our family law because while her husband is no longer married to her, she remains married to him, an incongruous situation which our family law offers no solution to… Read Full Article Here

Logically You Can Not Be Married and Unmarried (Divorced) At The Same Time

But you have to take into account that here in the Philippines, logic does not always apply.

I’ve had a number of online conversations lately about folks in the same or similar situations as the lady described in Attorney Jimeno’s article.

There is always a lot of discussion when a foreigner and a Filipino marry, often centering around where the marriage should take place and where, or when (if ever) they could divorce.

Now to most people’s logic, “marriage” and “divorce” (or “annulment”) are binary options. You can’t be in both situations at the same time.

Divorce in the Philippines

16/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Divorce in the Philippines.

(Updated 15 November 2018)

Why another article on Philippine divorce so soon?

Well, I can tell by the listing of search terms that show me how people find this site that a great many people are searching for news of what many think is a near-term “loosening” of the laws that prohibit divorce in the Philippines.

Perhaps even divorce itself is soon to be legalized … or at least some rumors say so.

Here’s Some Recent Philippine Divorce News.

Philippines moves closer to allowing divorce

Image copyrightAFP/GETTY

Divorce remains illegal in the Philippines, which has a large Catholic population.

The Philippines’ lower house of Congress has passed a divorce bill on the third reading, moving the country closer to legalisation.

The bill passed despite opposition from President Rodrigo Duterte, who had his own marriage legally annulled.

However, for divorce to become legal the Senate also has to pass a bill in favour, and even then Mr Duterte could still use his veto to strike it down.

Worldwide, divorce is only illegal in the Philippines and Vatican City.

Over 80% of people in the Philippines describe themselves as Catholic, and the church has a powerful influence in the country.

Congresswoman Emmi de Jesus said the bill was filed because of a “clamour of women trapped in abusive relationships”, who need the government to give them a means out of “irreparable marriages”…

New Dedication To Duty … Take Advantage

15/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Social Security Office Hours US Embassy Manila

This just in, many thanks to my colleague Jim …..

Social Security Office Hours US Embassy Manila

United States Embassy Manila, Philippines Message for U.S. Citizens: New Social Security Business Hours

Beginning Monday, December 3, 2018, the Social Security Administration (SSA) office at the U.S. Embassy in Manila will be open for in-office appointments and walk-in services from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Philippine and U.S. holidays.

SSA’s telephone hours (phone number +63-2-301-2000 extension 9) will be from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, except Philippine and U.S. holidays.

SSA may also be reached by email at FBU.Manila@ssa.gov.

Contact info for Social Security Office Hours US Embassy Manila

Another Article On Why I’m Staying In The Philippines

12/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Why I’m Staying In The Philippines

(Updated 12 November 2018)

A few days back I published an article here where I made a huge error in the title. I never should have used the word “Final”. Never say “never” or “final” or “ultimate” unless you have an iron-clad assure that this will actually BE your final word.

Final USA Observations On The Way Out The Door

Also, I published this article (below) recently as well, detailing why (at this time) moving back to the USA was not the right decision for my wife and me.

Still Keeping Me Rudely Awake 2018

Well Here’s The Thing With “Final”

One of the major things I talked about in those two articles was the ridiculous costs for many things in the USA, compared with what I have to pay here in the Philippines.

Even though I paid all the charges on the three different US-based credit cards I used on the US trip, I found out I wasn’t quite done just yet

Final Charges are like Final Decisions.

They ain’t necessarily so.

Along came a charge on the US credit card I had used to rent a car in the Philippines. Even though I had a receipt from that company, issued when the car was turned in that said “Final Charges”, I now find I have to pay more than $122 USD for “Airport Taxes and Usage Fees”.

If anyone has read the first article on the is subject you’ll recall I pointed out this “wonderful” practice being carried out by many US cities to screw the visitor, after the fact. [Read more…] about Another Article On Why I’m Staying In The Philippines

Philippines Divorce

10/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Philippines Divorce. Is There Divorce in the Philippines?

(Updated 8 November 2018)

What a silly question. Many of you may be saying. “Everyone knows” there is no divorce in the Philippines, don’t they?

Well, in general, this is true.

But there are certain exceptions to the rule, and there are many differences in how the law is applied to:

Filipino citizens,
Former Filipino citizens and
Foreigners in the Philippines.

Background Information

Before going further here I am going to give you a homework assignment.

Read and consider this excellent article by attorney Joyce Domingo-Dapat.

Not only does she explain most of the situations you might encounter, but unlike me (who has no standing as an attorney), attorney Domingo-Dapat is a practicing Filipino attorney and thus speaks with authority.

Divorce in the Philippines

Why There Is (Virtually) No Divorce For Filipinos

[Read more…] about Philippines Divorce

Final USA Observations On The Way Out The Door

07/11/2018 by Dave Starr 2 Comments

Final USA Observations On The Way Out The Door.

(Updated 6 November 2018)

Regular readers will recall I just published an article recently detailing some of my thoughts on staying here in the Philippines or going back to the USA.

You can read it here, and I feel you ought to if you are anywhere near as conflicted as I am over the “move back/Don’t move back” question. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you here….

How long can you stay in the Philippines if you are a US citizen?

03/11/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

How long can you stay in the Philippines if you are a US citizen?

(Updated 3 November 2018)

I’m a US citizen and I want to know how long I can stay in the Philippines if I decide to retire there?

Simple Answer — A Long Time.

Now, how long is a “long time”? Well in contrast to the USA, where visitors (if they can even GET a tourist visa) are normally limited to a 90-day stay, with no extensions, the Philippines is a dream country for international nomads for overseas retirees.

Apply The KISS Principle

Let’s start with a US citizen (or a citizen of any of the many visa waiver countries listed here). The simple news is, you need only two things:

Your passport (valid for at least 6 months at the time you enter the Philippines).
Proof of Onward travel within 30 days of your arrival in the Philippines.

That’s all? Yep, that’s all you need to get in the door. From that point onward I’ll show you how to stay here in the Philippines legally for up to 36 months. There are other visas you can get which let you stay even longer (up to the end of your life), but this is the KISS section, so let’s just stay with the initially free to anyone tourist visa.

Still Keeping Me Rudely Awake 2018

02/11/2018 by Dave Starr 2 Comments

Still Keeping Me Rudely Awake.

(Last Updated 02 November 2018)

Three years ago I wrote about some current costs in Colorado and why the Cost of living Philippines is often 1/12 the cost of the USA. It’s summarized below.

Why bring up something three years old today?

Well, my wife and I are currently in Florida, getting ready to return to our home in the Philippines in just a few days.

Many of our experiences on this trip are about the same as our trip three years ago.

To Stay Or Move

A primary purpose of this trip (October 2018) was to “sniff the air” if you well, to see if we both might decide it was time to move back to the USA.

I was recently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not very happy news. But I’m taking steps to minimize the issues (like getting off those damn cigarettes (yet again)), losing weight and other health-promoting things.

One of the reasons I started thinking strongly about going back to the USA is …

There’s No US Medicare in the Philippines

Many of my readers, of course, know this, but every month I get contacted by people who want to know the answer to things like “What hospitals in the Philippines “accept” Medicare”? and similar queries.

The answer is short and simple (although harsh to some). None.

US Medicare does not pay at all for any procedures or care received outside the USA.
[Read more…] about Still Keeping Me Rudely Awake 2018