Fair And Balanced News

[Hey Steve]

 

 

 

 

In the Philippines, if you are a witness to a crime then (a) you have to provide a sworn statement and (b) appear at the trial so that you can be questioned on your testimony by lawyers of both sides.

 

Not true. It may be the law but it is not followed at all times.

 

Where Filipinos are concerned, I agree but where the witness is a foreigner, that law is usually applied.

 

 

   That is the way most/all of the laws are here, applied against the foreigner.

 

   The case that I know of where the witnesses did not have to appear is this one: The Filipina wife (60 years old) of a German passed away here and immediately, the 19 year shabu addict niece moved in with him. It must have been fun for awhile until the sister of the late wife wanted some of the action, well at least some of the money. There was a fight on the street with many witnesses. A good fight with lots of hair pulling, clothes ripped off and nail scratching. Something like a cockfight. Then the police came. Then court. My niece and her friend were there so they filed statements but when court came, they refused to appear. The statements then could not be used. My wife was in court at the same time, both times, doing her annulment so she got this info from the horse's mouth. What bothered me was that the German had entertained my niece, her friend, their husbands, and their children for years taking them out on overnight road trips, bought them gold jewelry, many meals at restaurants and at home, like many, many, many and when it came time for them to help him, they all refused. I could not believe it even after I talked to my niece that it is her duty as a citizen. Filipinos help Filipinos and nobody else no matter what. The German had to pay 1 million pesos to the niece, plus both lawyer costs plus an interpreter from Manila  as the court was held in Illongo, not English nor German. The judgement was based on his fault as he was there in the PI (having his dream), if not, they would not have fought. Then his new wife, the sister of the late wife, threatened him with deportation so he bought her a new suv and lots of jewelry. She developed a big head. Now, word is out that she wants him gone. He does not leave the house anymore. His dream turned out to be a nightmare. 

 

 

Every foreigner needs to read this story to help them understand how Filipinos think and to understand why foreigners are always blamed for every crime if they are anywhere near the crime or a relative of a victim or suspect, ie. the crime wouldn't have happened if the foreigner didn't come here, which is very ignorant thinking.

 

This to me is why it's so very important to build relationships with your lady's family and create a balance of give and take. From that inner circle trust and understanding can develop in time. This way when the chips are down, you are not feeling like you are alone. Filipinos help their own -true- as most all countries in situations like this but with an inner circle of your wife and her family, the odds are not stacked against you so much. Just knowing how to act, what the do's and don'ts are and some simple common sense can go a long way in living the happy peaceful life we all seek in the Philippines.

[jpbago]

This to me is why it's so very important to build relationships with your lady's family

 

Steve, this incident was all in the family between the niece and sister of his late wife. He is currently married to the sister of his late wife who wants him gone now that they are married.

[earthdome]

 

I'm visiting in January with my family. How do you think this will affect my visit? I'm visiting in Dipolog City.

 

Very very little unless you visit the US embassy in Manila. There will be professional protesters stationed outside the embassy for the duration of the situation.

 

 

I was at the US Embassy Monday and there were no protesters. Business as usual.