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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

Blessed Are the Meek — Or Are They?

19/10/2018 by Dave Starr 2 Comments

Last updated 19 October 2018

Blessed Are the Meek.

First of all, let me throw in a little disclaimer here. This post isn’t really all that much about religion, but I do throw in some Bible teaching and no matter what your personal feelings about religion, you can’t learn much about the Philippines without recognizing the fact that it is one of the most religious countries on earth.

I am a private individual and I pretty much keep my own religious views private … but I also have the freedom of the press and if I want to speak of things with a religious tone, I will.

You folks who feel that people who mention God or Jesus Christ in public are doing something forbidden, can go ahead and start preparing your “He spoke about God” case against me … or just click on to read something else. Fair warning.

The Bible is Important in the Philippines

Some time back I think I lost a Filipino reader and a budding friend because he wrote me and told me how wonderful it was that Filipinos are “meek”, and he didn’t understand why I didn’t seem to see that as a great strength of the Philippine nation and people.

I responded to him that perhaps he and I weren’t seeing things exactly the same when it came to the true definition of “meek” … and the conversation died right there, aborning.
[Read more…] about Blessed Are the Meek — Or Are They?

Things To Think About Before You Retire To The Philippines

18/10/2018 by Dave Starr Leave a Comment

Things To Think About Before You Retire To The Philippines.

(Updated 18 October 2018)

Recently I read an interesting article about a USA couple who retired to Mexico. Part of the title had the phrase “what no one tells you about starting a new life abroad.”

What PhilFAQS Will Tell You About Starting A New Life Abroad.

A lot of this article offered some good advice, much of which I have been advising people about for years. (If you have questions or need help about moving overseas, email me, I’ll be glad to help.)

But sad to say a lot of this article presents a surprising degree of naivety and a lack of research, or basic understanding of how things work, both in the USA and in overseas locations.

So Here’s Your Homework Assignment Do it Now, Please.

How To Retire in the Philippines with $200,000 of Savings

17/10/2018 by Dave Starr 2 Comments

How To Retire in the Philippines with $200,000 of Savings?

(Updated 17 October 2018)

Interesting title, eh? If I had $200,000 USD in savings would I even be retired in the Philippines? Would you?

Well, let’s explore so issues and possibilities.

A while back I posted this article about retiring here in the Philippines with NO money. You might want to read that if you haven’t already. Just click on the link, go ahead, I’ll wait for you here:

How To Retire in the Philippines With No Money

As that article says, you absolutely have to have some money to retire in the Philippines, but the actual monthly needs may be very small. [Read more…] about How To Retire in the Philippines with $200,000 of Savings