Live & Retire in the Philippines Discussion Forum

Martial Law

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Martial Law declared in Maguindanao

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Saturday, 4:23 AM EST by uzicom

Thread started: Saturday, 4:23 AM EST Watch

DOJ chief: Ampatuans face rebellion raps

MANILA - Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said on Saturday afternoon that many of those who will be arrested in Maguindanao after President Arroyo's declaration of martial law in the province will be charged with rebellion.

“Lahat ng mahuhuli ngayon rebellion na ang kaso nila… Lahat ng mahuhuli during this martial law and after processing then they will be charged for that,” Devanadera said at a press conference in Malacañang.
The justice secretary’s statement came amid criticisms that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Proclamation 1959, declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao, was without legal basis.

Critics of the declaration, among them human rights lawyers and opposition leaders, said the proclamation cannot be justified since there is no rebellion or invasion going on in Maguindanao.

But Devanadera explained there is rebellion in Maguindanao, citing police and military reports of groups of armed men massing in the whole province.

Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, operations chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said they have received intelligence reports that armed supporters of the Ampatuans, in groups of between 50 to 100, were seen in 8 areas.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in an earlier press conference, said the sightings of armed groups were aggravated by the discovery of a huge arms cache from a vacant lot near the residence of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan.

The military said the weapons recovered from the vacant lot can supply a brigade-size military unit.

More http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/05/09/doj-chief-ampatuans-face-rebellion-rap

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Important info for UK passport holders in RP

PHILIPPINE VISA & RESIDENCE

Category: Visas, Visiting or retiring here

Nov 25 2009, 1:09 AM EST by uzicom

Dicey Elections

PHILIPPINE NEWS

Nov 24 2009, 7:24 PM EST by uzicom

Tony999

G'day

Discussion Forum

Nov 23 2009, 2:57 AM EST by Tony999

Thread started: Nov 21 2009, 5:19 AM EST Watch

Hi all.

I'm new here, just signed up.

I've spent the last few hours reading a lot of the threads here and I want to thank you all for the great information and insights posted here. What I really like about this site is that the people here seem to be friendly and courteous to each other. Other Philippines-focused forums I've looked at seem to be inhabited by bitter and twisted old ex-pats who take any opportunity to bicker with each other. I'm not interested in that, so thanks for the friendliness exhibited here.

I, however, couldn't find a "new member introduction" thread, so this is mine :-)

So, by way of introducing myself, I'm 48 and live and work in Sydney, Australia (although I'm originally from Melbourne). I've visited The Philippines probably about 20 times over the last 10 years, both on business and on holidays, and I love it. I was there a few weeks ago and I'm going back for Christmas.

It'll come as no surprise to you that I've met a wonderful girl there in Cebu. We're discussing me moving there permanently and I'll most likely do that in the next couple of years, finances permitting. We're looking at Dumaguete as a possible place to settle (close to her family but far enough away). So, I'm here in this forum to learn as much as I can about moving to and living in The Philippines.

Sorry for the long intro but I intend to spend a lot of time here reading and contributing to the forum.

Regards,

Tony.

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CNN Heroes - Filipino in Top 10

Philippine Charities - Lending a helping hand

Nov 23 2009, 1:58 AM EST by uzicom

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Dr Who and the Philippines

Discussion Forum

Nov 19 2009, 2:42 AM EST by uzicom

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Message from Bob Hofmans (Bob the builder)

Discussion Forum

Nov 18 2009, 6:41 PM EST by uzicom

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East-West fusion food.

Filipino food and recipes

Nov 17 2009, 6:44 PM EST by Colin37

Thread started: Nov 16 2009, 8:50 PM EST Watch

I saw a program on Hot Dogs a while back & it mentioned having sauerkraut on the sausage & that sauerkraut was good for you.

From Wikipedia - Raw sauerkraut is an extremely healthful food. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, lactobacilli, and other nutrients. However, the low pH and abundance of otherwise healthy lactobacilli may upset the intestines of people who are not used to eating acidic foods. (In such cases, it is advisable to eat small amounts daily until the person's digestive system adjusts.) Studies suggest that fermented cabbage may be even more healthy than the raw vegetable, with increased levels of anti-cancer agents such as isothiocyanates.

In the UK a lot of people have onions on their hot dogs along with ketchup & mustard but I am not a lover of onions so when I saw a tin of sauerkraut here I decided to try it. Now that made a GOOD hot dog. My wife then pointed out how the sauerkraut was like Atsara (pickled papaya) so this time we tried hot dogs with Atsara, ketchup & mustard and we are both hooked. Papaya is healthy but don't know if it is as good as sauerkraut when pickled.

Anyone else got some good fusion ideas?

Uzi.

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Are the Jeepneys days numbered...?

Discussion Forum

Category: Driving in the Philippines

Nov 17 2009, 6:33 PM EST by Colin37

Thread started: Nov 12 2009, 6:11 AM EST Watch

LOVE THE BIT ABOUT JEEPNEYS NEEDING HANDBRAKE & LIGHTS.

Manila Standard Today

ABOUT half of the 400,000 jeepneys in the country may no longer be allowed to ply their routes next year following stricter registration standards, Alberto Suansing, chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board,said yesterday.

“The LTO [Land Transportation Office] has come up with new regulations on the inspection of motor vehicles, and we expect many public utility vehicles will not meet the requirements,” Suansing said.

“I would say almost 50 percent of the jeepney population will be affected.”

The LTO will require public utility vehicles—jeepneys in particular—to have speedometers, hand brakes, headlights and wipers, among other things, according to Joel Donato, head of the agency’s Motor Vehicle Inspection Service.

“We are implementing these requirements with the start of registration in January 2010,” he said.

Suansing said jeepney owners failing to comply with the new rules should start thinking of buying brand-new replacements.

A brand-new jeepney with a surplus engine costs around P450,000, and a new one with a new diesel engine is priced around P600,000.

“The first consideration here is safety. Some of [the jeepneys] are accidents waiting to happen, and then you have environmental concerns,” Suansing said.

He cited a government report saying jeepneys contribute 50 percent of the pollution in Manila, and that the traffic flow there is choked “by oversized jeepneys with an excessive turning radius that usually clog the U-turn slots.”

Around 70,000 of the estimated 400,000 jeepneys in the country ply routes in Metro Manila.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/november/11/news2.isx&d=/2009/november/11

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Flashing lights

Discovered problems

Nov 17 2009, 3:22 AM EST by jools48

Thread started: Oct 27 2009, 9:14 AM EDT Watch

John,

I have the same problem, I removed the globes and checked the globe holder with a multi-meter (I'm no Electrician) I found out that there was a current of 3.6 volts across the terminal with the light switch turned off.

Just enough to cause the intermittent flash. I have light switches with the little neon bulb in them so you can find them in the dark. Do you also have these?? The globe must be in place to complete the circuit, so that the neon bulb lights up in the switch. It is my contention that that is enough power to cause the flashing. I'm "gonna" get around to replacing one of them one day with a switch that has no little neon bulb inside and see if that's the cause.

Graham

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Comp. tracking/spy programme

Philippine Internet & I.T.

Category: VOIP, Internet, Cable Tv, Mobiles

Nov 16 2009, 3:22 AM EST by Graham4384

Thread started: Oct 31 2009, 3:18 AM EDT Watch

Jerome, Keith, Colin,

Janets best friend is in a relationship (read controlled) with an American guy who (later admitted) is a retired drug dealer. It's a long story, but that's not the problem. He gave this girl a laptop for her use. He is supporting her to the tune of Php8K pm. He talked her into leaving her job, and the money she is getting also helps to support her family. he controls her to the extent that she is not allowed to get a job and has to reside with her parents in the province.

She is afraid to leave him as they will have no money. She wants to meet someone else but can't afford the cost of an inet cafe. She has the use of the laptop, but he has put some sort of programme in there that he can track, from America, to whom she is emailing or chatting with. He has already told her about some emails that she sent. According to him he can track whatever she is doing with the comp.

Is this possible, and how could she neutralise this program? Know this would be hard as you don't know the program. Apart from going to a techie and getting the comp. re-formatted (there is none in her province) how could she find out the programme, any ideas??

Graham

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The legend lives on

Internationally known Filipino Sportsmen

Nov 15 2009, 8:05 PM EST by uzicom

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After you've gone - will your Asawa be ok?

FILIPINO FAMILIES & RELATIONSHIPS

Nov 9 2009, 10:45 PM EST by rmg_ronin2

Thread started: Nov 4 2009, 1:25 AM EST Watch

I have just read on another forum that Murf was on, that just a few days after he died, his wife Jen has no money, is not named on his bank account, so cannot withdraw funds and doesn't know how to claim (or even if indeed she can) his Army (Marine) pension. I find this totally unbelievable, that someone who knows he has a terminal illness & constantly proclaims his adoration for his wife, apparently, has made no plans for her financial well being after he has gone.

Am I the exception here? After all I hear so often that guys wont buy a house here because it wont be in their name. Like they don't trust their Asawa. I have made as many preparations as I can to ensure Dee will be ok after I have gone. Joint accounts here & back home. Named on my pension as next of kin etc.

There seems to be an attitude I cannot understand from some, of "I love her BUT I don't trust her with my money".

I hope time will show, I was wrong & Jen gets the financial support she has a right to but needing funds NOW to bury her husband is sad indeed. I hope all who visit this site do plan for the time that comes to us all & make sure that their loved ones a cared for in the short, medium & long terms.

Uzi

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RE: After you've gone - will your Asawa be ok?
By: rmg_ronin2, Nov 9 2009, 10:45 PM EST

Hi,

I'm also feeling mortality right now, don't know why, but have put sorting things into top gear for Debs just in case.

We don't have assets here yet as it is still too risky. My company and bank account overseas are solely in my name and must be, as I don't pay tax here but as a Philippines Citizen, Debs would - but - she has my bank account access codes and keyfob and I'm leaving standing instructions with the company sec in HK to transfer ownership to her on my demise. It's not just death - if I'm incapacitated, kidnapped, whatever - Debs must have access to the funds flow that keep us alive.

Locally the main account is my HSBC Makati and again, must be in my name for tax and security reasons, but she has access via ATM and Internet.

Today (by coincidence) she is off to open a UnionBank e-Wallet account that is one of the few that links to Paypal, allowing her to have a secondary income line that will also be a backup to mine in case my cavalier marketing gets my account blocked.

I subscribe to the "teaching someone how to fish rather than giving them a fish" mentality and we're busy doing that now. Campaigns Ltd, my company, is opening an "outsoruced services" division for internet marketers wanting routine tasks outsourced to the Philippines. Initially this is pure arbitrage - we have local contractors with good rep and Debs passes on the work to them, marking it up for her profit and managing the process. As she learns more of the techniques used, she has the option to switch tasks over to staff directly employed by her for the extra margin. A FedEx box arrived today from the UK with the first job and a VOIP phone on a client switchboard I've no idea how to use yet

But that for me is the key - teach Debs how to do enough of what I do to ensure the income flows after I'm gone

Cheers

Steve

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ukstef

dream tv

Philippine Internet & I.T.

Category: VOIP, Internet, Cable Tv, Mobiles

Nov 8 2009, 12:15 AM EST by dylanaz

Thread started: Jun 11 2009, 6:20 AM EDT Watch

just to let those who only have dream tv that the hallmark channel is back on channel 33.

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Gene Murphy - Murf, has died.

A Philippine Journal Page 5

Nov 7 2009, 11:09 PM EST by uzicom

Thread started: Oct 30 2009, 4:16 AM EDT Watch

All,

To anyone who has read his story, http://retirephilippines.wetpaint.com/page/Agusan+del+Sur+-+A+Philippine+Journal will feel that they know 'Murf'. He came here to see out his last days in his piece of paradise.

That he has done & I am sorry to say that he died today

RIP. He will be missed but at least, not forgotten.

Keith & Dee.

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RP's freedoms best in Asia: poll

PHILIPPINE COUNTRY INFO

Nov 4 2009, 9:43 AM EST by uzicom

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Heads up Luzon...!!

Philippine weather & Typhoon watch