Getting invited to an event is a honor, right? I mean, the fact that the person throwing the even thought of you as a person to invite should be a pleasure, an honor and such, don’t you think? Wait… don’t think too quickly like that.
Being “invited” in the Philippines does not always have a positive connotation.
You see, in a case where there has been a crime, or some kind of wrongdoing, the police “invite” you to come in to the station for questioning. If there is some kind of scandal, the Senate will hold a hearing, and they “invite” the accused to come and tell them what happened. For me, I think I would prefer not to be invited for these kind of things!
I am not even sure what happens if you don’t accept the invitation. Let’s say that the police are investigating you for a crime and they say they want to invite you down to the station to answer some questions. I mean, what happens if you say, “no, I’m busy, sorry I can’t accept your invitation.” It is only my feeling, but I would bet that such an invitation cannot be refused!
Where I come from, in the United States, if the Senate wants to talk to you, they issue a subpoena that requires you to show up. Here, it’s an invitation. In the States, if the police want to question you about a crime, they put you in the back seat of the police car and take you to the station and interrogate you. Here, they invite you to come in and talk. Do they serve tea while you hare having your discussion?
Honestly, I kind of laugh every time I hear that “so and so has been invited” to the Police station, but it is on the news like that all the time. Every time there is an accusation against somebody, they always get such an invitation.
Another funny thing is that sometimes, when the Senate invites people to testify in a scandal, the people don’t show up! Or, they will call in advance and say they are sick that day. Amazing how many people get sick whenever they get invited to the Senate! Where I come from, I don’t ever remember a person not showing up when they have been subpoenaed to testify before the Senate. Here, it is the most common way to handle such an invitation, just don’t show.
During my life in the Philippines, I have been invited to many events. Weddings, birthday parties, baptisms, Anniversaries and such. Thankfully, though, I have never been invited to the Police station. Of course, I could always get sick if that happens!
Hi Bob One thing I've discovered about "invtations": they are expensive one way or another! 😆
Hi Paul – Yes, very true! But, that's a whole different story! 😀
Bob,
I once tried to decline the police station invitation but it didn't go over very well. What always made me laugh was how the let people drive themselves to police station. No joke, once saw a guy shoot another guy and police "invited" them to drive to drive themselves to police station. It just amazed me because wondered why fellow would drive himself there instead of driving himself elsewhere. The times I was invited to their facility though I cant say they where really good hosts as they served no refreshments but could pay them to go bring jollibee or even Tanduay though.
Justin
Hi Justin – I guess I am lucky (and happy) that I have never been invited before. I hope to keep it that way! 😆
Hey Bob do you think it might have to do with – SIR being polite no matter what .. Phil n Jess
Hi Phil – Yep! That's exactly what I think. "Inviting" is a non-confrontational way of handling it, and things should be handled in a non-confrontational way if at all possible.
Maayong Buntag Bob
From what I have seen of the news in the RP everyone that is suspected is invited to testify but only people with little of no political clout need to accept the invite. If you committed a crime or if you should be punished depends on you or your family’s political standing. This really puzzled me at first but now I have found this to be the way things operate all over Asia. And actually if you look closely you will find people getting charges reduced or even disappear according to political clout happens far too often in America too.
Bob I can only hope when I get there I only get the the same invites as you. hehe I know I do not want to get invited if I have been wrong in something to the Mayors office. hehe
Hi Bob
Its amazing how many people get high BP when they get invited by the Seante.
Hi Larry – Yes, I agree, these things happen all over the world. It's just a little more visible here in the Philippines.
Hi Andy Wooldridge – I'll keep my fingers crossed for you (and for myself too)!
Hi neil – When I read your comment, I had to stop and think…. I suppose if the Senate invited me, I'd probably get high blood pressure too! 😯
Hi Bob
You know I have been working in Kuwait 6 years and never
seen anyone in the back of a police car, so maybey they get invited to
Hi Bob
Off the subject matter – I wanted to give you a 3rd party compliment?
Ran into one of you ex computer workers today (I won't say who).
She couldn't say enough great things about you:
1. Great emplorer
2. Generous
3. Caring
4. Interested in me as a person
5. Good listener
6. Not demanding
7. Smart
8. Funny (ok I made this one up)
7. Reads alot
It was nice to hear that. I was beginning to think you were an egotistical, defensive webmaster LOL Kidding
You're the man BOB
Bob,
During the martial law era, if they invite you to the precint station chances are you might not be able to go home ever again. Heck, they would not even send you an invite but just grab you off the street or your own home.
It's amazing though how someone asked to testify before congress and totally ignores the institution. Only in the Philippines.
Hi James – It sounds like they may do that!
Hi Steven – Hmm… I am trying to think who that might be! There are only a few people that it could be, because most of my former employees are living abroad, outside the area, or whatever. Anyway, I am happy that she had nice things to say about me, and I do feel that I strive to treat my employees well. Most of my employees stay with me long term too, which is not all that common here.
Thanks for brightening my day.
Hi Raymond – Do you think it is possible that the way it works with "invitations" today is a response to the martial law days? Maybe the way Marcos would take you into custody and never let you go home, perhaps it damaged the Filipino psyche and that is why it is a gentler way of doing it today? Who knows.
I really think that any such "invitations" to the police station would be much more pleasant in the Philippines if one has financial resources that allow it to be turned into a back-slapping "good-ol'-boy" gathering….. And certainly, that would be regardless of whether one has done anything the least bit wrong or otherwise. This probably extends to BI "invitations" or anything else concerning the authorities in the Philippines. From all of the research I've done, I'm think one should consider it essential to have those resources as a master insurance policy before moving to the Philippines, as I think personally I would have a hard time assuming that simply doing the right thing all the time, and making sure one stays low-profile simply isn't good enough.
Hi Spencer – Very interesting, and a bit scary too.
To Raymond, the power of the senate to compel witnesses to attend their hearings is not without limits. A witness can validly refuse attendance by invoking exceptions allowed by the Constitution. Only in the Philippines? I don't think so. Countries that uphold the same doctrine of separation of powers also do this.
Hi Roy – Thanks for your comment.
Bob,
You do find the humor here. One I always want to joke in my reply is "How do you find …" such as "how do you find the Philippines?"
I want to answer, "I did not have to find it, the pilot of the airplane found if for me."
Keep up some of the lighter side to life here.
Hi Bruce – I have been asked the same question: "How do you find the Philippines?" I usually say that I just look at the map. 😆