Since it’s Friday again, I’m sharing my column from SunStar Davao, our local newspaper in which I write once per week. I hope you enjoy the article.
I’m excited! I’m actually surprised, because I didn’t think that I would be excited about this. Hmm… what’s that? Oh, you are wondering what it is that I’m excited about? Well, to be honest, I’m excited about the upcoming elections.
I’ve lived in the Philippines for nearly 10 years now, so I’ve seen several elections come and go. But, to be honest, I’ve never really been all that interested or excited about the elections before. This time I am though!
Why am I excited? Well, I can’t say for certain, but I can think of a number of reasons.
First, in the past, I have felt more of an outsider in the Philippines… a foreigner living in a foreign land. Now, though, I’ve been living here long enough that I really am not all that interested in the politics in the USA, since it doesn’t affect me that much any longer. I am more interested in the local politics here now, since this is my home.
Secondly, I know more about what is happening in the Philippines compared to elections past. Having lived here for a significant amount of time now, I know about the issues here, where different candidates stand, and certainly more about the personalities who are running. This is particular true for local Davao races.
Thirdly, for the Davao races, I personally know a few of the people who are running for office, so it kind of gives me something interesting to watch and pay attention to. Now, don’t take me wrong on this point, though. As a foreigner, I don’t speak out about any certain candidates, or endorse anybody. It is not my place to do so, and I would never do that. But, now, having some acquaintances running for office, it just makes the races a bit more interesting for me to keep an eye on. In some races, even if I don’t know the candidates personally, it is of great interest to me, because on a local level, the decisions made do affect my life, even though I am not a citizen here. So, keeping an eye on the races is interesting to me.
My first years here, though, I watched the happenings in the elections, but never really felt it affected me much. At that time, I was still more interested in the politics “back home” in the States. Now, though, I don’t feel that my home is “back there,” rather, Davao is where I live, so what happens here is of more interest to me.
And, speaking of Davao races, it certainly looks like things are shaping up for an interesting political season in the City! It seems that in most of the races there are some pretty fierce rivals facing off against each other. I am quite sure that there will be plenty of interesting things to watch for the next six months or so! I suppose no matter which side you are pulling for, the show will be very interesting to watch!
So, from where I sit, it looks like the next six months will be an interesting time to keep an eye on the newspaper, pull up a comfortable chair in front of the TV set, keep a few cold drinks available (and some snacks too!), and become more informed!
Good luck to all who are running! I’ll be watching, because, as I said, I’m excited to see what happens! Like I also said… it does surprise me that I have such an interest this year!
Hello Bob in Davao,
I found something appalling on the Internet while doing research into the shady dealings of some Mindanao based western expatriates, mostly Americans. I ask a explanation as to why Department of Tourism is now “Endorsing” brothels in Mindanao.
You heard that right, I said the Department of Tourism , according to the website below, is endorsing establishments which sell sex. The site below belongs to British expatriate , in CDO Philippines, and on top of site it says his “Gentlemens Club” is Philippine Depart of Tourism approved. I find it both appalling and disgusting that Department of Tourism would endorse the seedy side of Mindanao rather than the many true tourist attractions the island has to offer.
Is Department of Tourism now targeting “Sex Tourist” in a effort to bring such perverts to the Philippines to prey on the Filipino populace? Has Department of Tourism gotten so desperate to see tourist that they now want to advertise the nation as “A Disney for Adults”? Do they want to endorse businesses which turn Filipina women into mere objects which can be bought, sold, used and abused by the highest bidder?
If Department of Tourism does not endorse such filth , like the brothel in link below, then by all means legal action and deportation proceedings should be started as this British national by his actions has stained the image of the entire Philippines and its populace by making it appear that Department of Tourism endorses such filth. Below is link to what Philippine Department of Tourism is now endorsing in Mindanao.
Is this the kind of tourism the Philippines honestly wants to invite into the nation?
Mike
Hi Mike – I have removed the link that you put in your comment. I have no desire to promote that guy’s business at all.
Now… as for your comment… do you think that a website with a DoT seal on it means that it has really been endorsed by the DoT? I can put a DoT seal on this site, but I can assure you that I have no DoT certification. Anybody can put any logo they want on a site, until the owner of that logo takes them to court.
Do you have independent verification that DoT indeed endorsed or certified that club? Because I am pretty sure they did nothing of the sort.
Hi Bob,
Wow, I’m the first one to post a comment! Can’t believe it! Now that you understand Bisaya and write for Sunstar, did you read the article on the the verbal challenge between Duterte & Nograles? I was laughing so hard, it made my day. I will closely watch this election as I can get a few good laughs out of it for sure. 🙂
Hi Tina – Ha ha… yeah, I didn’t mention names in the article, since it’s going to be in the paper. I didn’t feel it appropriate to name names on that article. But, here on LiP, well… Oh yeah, I’ve been following the words between Mayor and Boy. Ha ha… it makes me laugh every time another round of discussion! I am wondering where they will be having that duel, sans bodyguards of course! They could probably make it Pay per View televised event and finance their campaigns. I have no doubt who the winner would be (dual and political race), but I won’t name any names on that one! 😉
Hi, Bob- Is there any legal prohibition for an expat living in the Philippines to acquire Philippine citizenship? I have been wondering because I never hear you or the other expats writing for LiP say they plan or wish to be a Filipino citizen despite your constant pronouncements of love and devotion for the Philippines. I even remember you saying that you never wanted to return to the States. In effect, wouldn’t that make you a man without a country in spirit, if not legally, because no matter how many times you say that the Philippines is your home, technically, the United States is still your home because you’re still a U.S. citizen.
This question has relevance to the election that you’re excited about, Bob. Consider this. Wouldn’t the upcoming Philippine elections be that much more meaningful to you if you knew in your heart that your vote could possibly change the outcome of the election one way or the other?
Hi John – You said:
Read this article, which I wrote here on LiP. That should clear it up… (be sure to read the last paragraph, that should clear it up) 😆
Hi, Bob- Good for you, Bob. You wrote that article in June 2008, and you said it would take about a year to process your application for Philippine citizenship. It should be on the way anytime now, shouldn’t it. Here’s a toast to your becoming a Filipino, Bob. Congratulations! 🙂 How about the others? Like Paul Thompson, maybe, (30 years in the Pinas and counting?)
Hi John – Actually, to be honest, I have not applied yet. After writing the article and looking at some of the ramifications of changing citizenship, I found a few downsides to doing it. Most of the downsides for me are tax related. However, I am still leaning toward taking the plunge, and I probably will do it, most likely in the coming months.
To be honest.. I know of no other expats who have considered making such a move, though.
Hi Bob – Well the matter of becoming a Citizen of the Philippines has been a hot subject lately on other web sites. You would become a dual citizen, of the RP and the USA. As you are married to a citizen of the RP you only have a 5 year waiting period instead of the normal 10 year. Most of the expats are getting on in years and doesn’t make sense to go to all the work. You get to vote and own land…and pay more taxes. You are still a young man Bob. Might be worth it, might is the key word.
Regards,
Gary
Hi Gary – Not exactly correct, technically. I would not technically be a dual citizen. Under Philippine law, I would be required to renounce my US citizenship. Fact it, though, that it is very hard to renounce US citizenship. So, even if I renounced, it probably would not be accepted by the USA, and in which case I would technically be a dual citizen by default, although legally under Philippine law they would consider me only a citizen of the Philippines.
For me, the advantage has nothing to do with land ownership. It is because I love the Philippines, and I would want to formalize my love of the country. I am not worried about owning land under Feyma’s name, as she and I have been married nearly 20 years, and I have no fears of our marriage breaking apart. I am perfectly comfortable that any land we would own being under her name. So, the land ownership plays no role in my consideration of obtaining Philippine Citizenship.
The biggest problem for most expats in obtaining citizenship here is that you must become fluent in one of the Philippine languages, and pass a test in the language. I have no problem, I can already pass that hurdle with Bisaya. But, few expats take the time to learn the local language.
It is me again Bob – In order to renounce your US citizenship you have to travel to the US and renounce it there to the Dept of State. They care less if you become a citizen of another country. The land ownership is VERY important. If Feyma passes before you (God Forbid) all the land goes to her heirs. The best you could do is hold it in trust for the kids until they reach 18. Then her brothers and sisters get their share. Everyone of Feyma’s kin gets a share. As a US citizen you have no legal standing in the RP. You are a step ahead of the others in the languages department. Like I said before Bob – You are still a young man. You live in one of the better cities. You and Feyma seem like a real nice couple with great kids. Go for it!
All the best,
Gary
Hi Gary – I am sorry, my friend, but much of your information is incorrect. Firstly, you do not have to go to the USA to renounce your citizenship, you can also do it at a US Embassy, in Manila for example.
Secondly, as a foreigner who has a resident visa and has lived here for more than 5 years, I can inherit land here (yes, even as a foreigner), if the land is properly titled. I have written a number of times on this site about how it can be done. I just wrote about it in a comment 3 or 4 days ago.
“Every one of Feyma’s kin get a share” – sorry, that is absolutely 100% incorrect. There are laws that prescribe who the heirs are, and it is not “every one of her kin.” It is her children, and her husband.
Don’t worry, I know the laws on land ownership, and everything is spelled out to the letter. I can inherit land here and hold it until my death. A lot of people don’t know about this, but the law is clear.
Not trying to be hard, Gary, I hope you don’t think that. But, I want information on this site to be accurate for future readers. Hope you understand.
Hi, Bob-
I just happen to be reviewing the little booklet given to me by the Philippine Emnbassy when I re-acquired my Philippine citizenship in 2005 here in Washington, D.C. in preparation for renewing my passport in February 2010. I came across the following paragraph that may or may not be relevant to what you stated above, “Most of the downsides for me are tax related.”
“What is the effect of dual citizenship in the payment of income taxes?
Republic Act 8424 provides that only incomes derived from the Philippines are subject to taxation by the Philippine government. However, in 1976, the Philippines and the United States of America signed a treaty on taxation in order to avoid double taxation for Filipinos who derive income from the United States and for Americans who derive income from the Philippines. Under this treaty, TAXES PAID IN THE PHILIPPINES MAY BE CREDITED IN THE UNITED STATES AND VICE VERSA (caps are mine). The Philippine government is expected to negotiate similar arrangements with other countries in the light of the enactment of the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003.”
Hi John – You and I would be affected in different ways. For you, you would be re-acquiring Philippine citizenship. I would be becoming a Philippine citizen. I am not going to go into the tax implications for me, I don’t care to make it public, but trust me, I’ve looked into this and I would be negatively affected. But, I am still considering doing it, though.
Bob,
I can tell you what is going on in the American political world:
More unemployment
More politicians
More despair
More taxes
More lies
911 and other terrorists were given the same rights as citizens
and our military is demoralized
could go on, but why?
Hi darcy – Hey…. thanks for brightening up my day!!! Ha ha… more of the same, huh? All I can say is that I’m sure happy I left it all behind! 😉
And still, in spite of all of those things, the greatest country the planet has ever seen……….
For those wanting to leave permanently, I could only say I wish there was a fund that could be drawn from to provide for their departures to greater countries.
Hi Spencer – I’m sorry, my friend, but I really don’t have a clue what you are talking about. Maybe I need to have my morning cup of coffee and re-read that one… 😯
Comrade Bob, renouncing your Motherland?!! Q: If you renounce your US citizenship what are the travel ramification? Would this not impede your travel to other Countrys including the US? BTW great info.
Hi brian – The truth is that in effect, it is possible to become a Philippine citizen without losing your US citizenship. Philippine law requires you to renounce. You stand up at the ceremony and say “I hereby renounce my US citizenship.” However, the US Govt doesn’t recognize that as a legitimate act of renunciation. So, while you would satisfy the Philippine requirements, the US citizenship would still be in place too. Thus, any travel or other benefits of US Citizenship would still be in effect as well.
Hi Bob. I am not going to side any of the candidates but, I think, between Sarah Duterte and Boy Nograles it will be a win-win situation for Davao City. Nograles, did a lot of good things for his constituents as a congressman. I am not sure though if he is tough enough to maintain Davao City’s present peace and order stature if he becomes a mayor. That remains to be seen..
Hi Lito – One thing that is for sure is that when it comes to security, anybody with the last name Duterte has respect and the family has shown that it can keep the city safe. No doubt about it. That is one thing that Nograles will have to overcome if he is to succeed in his race. No doubt also that Nograles has brought home the bacon while he has been in Congress, the signs are everywhere around the City. Lots of new roads, and other things paid for by the pork that Boy Nograles directed toward the City of Davao. So, what will the race come down to? Security vs. Prosperity? Maybe so!
Hi Bob – I received a new perspective of the national election scene while visiting friends in the Subic/Olongapo area. Seems one “presidentiable,” “RG” (no names), has plans for the area currently inhabited by resorts owned (in part) by expats. His plans include bringing four- and five-star hotels, restaurants, etc. to the area and building the area up to match Singapore. None of the current businessmen, however, figure into his plans and will lose out to family and political friends.
Needless to say, campaign (or anti-campaign, depending on one’s point of view) money is flowing, with reinvestment on hold until after the elections.
Hi Paul – There were some similar problems going on in Boracay last year or so…. I wonder what ever happened on that?
Bob, this leads to another Q: I thought that the USA did not allow dual citizenship to Americans born on US soil.
Hi brian – That is not the case. Forty or fifty years ago, yes… but the Supreme Court ruled (in the 60’s I believe) that dual citizenship is allowable. The USA “discourages” it’s citizens from obtaining dual citizenship, but it is not illegal or disallowed.