CFO BRIBERY COMPLAIN

[jimmynug 13]

I really don't mean this in a mean way, but anyone that doesn't think there is still bribery, or that it has slowed down in gov't offices, well they must be looking through rose colored glasses. And it is not getting better, it is getting worst. At different times during the last 10 years, I have brought my wife, her father and mother over here, and am currently working on bringing her brother. 10 years ago, we didn't bribe anyone, however, I went with her to the CFO and once they saw me, they left her alone. With her father first, and then her mother, it kept getting worst. Now with her brother, it is totally crazy. We have not even got to the CFO yet, we are still trying to get through the DFA for his passport. Her parents didn't want to bribe, so i read every single requirement on the DFA website for his passport, and have gotten all of them, but guess what? Every time the sister in law takes him there, they have some new requirement, not listed and not told to her the prior trip there. The last time, they even told the sister in law that they needed her NBI, even though she has signed, notorized, and authorized papers from the Philippine counsulate in LA. So we can pay 1000 pesos in a bribe and get the passport, or spend the next month playing their little game. We paid 500 pesos for my father in law to go the the CFO, ask for a certain person, and then wait sitting out front for the guy to get his certificate without him having to do anything at all except wait (we called in advance and set it up this way). I could go on with many more examples, however, I think that is enough. In the U S, if I would go in and raise cane if it happened that way, in the phillippines, i would be thrown in jail. So others can stand by their beliefs, and that's their right, but I'll play their little games. If the authorities in the philippines really wanted to stop it, it wouldn't be that hard, without trying to put the blame on the people paying the bribes. I'll bet there is not one person on this forum that wouldn't gladly pay an extra 500-1000 pesos to speed up the process by a month or two whether they admit it or not. And don't even get me started on customs and civil registrars or whatever they call themselves.

[sweet cakes 326]

Sweet cheeks....you sound like a really nice girl...but, you are being very naive

First of all.....if you are not aware (ask Hank for confirmation)......the stupid CFO does not even have CLEAR guidelines as to WHAT documents are required

That in itself ENCOURAGES corruption in a corruption filled world over there.......because these guys can ask for ANY document in hopes that the fiance does not have it.....but....a bribe will make it all "better"....the "problem" will go away

Read some of the topics here...people have been asked for all kinds of things not on a list anywhere (I think one was the birth certificate of the petitioner...)

Correction......it is NOT "the same everywhere anyways".....you have WAYYYYY more of it

On my second trip to the Philippines...on my exiting flight....I did not have the cebu sticky tag on one of my carry-ons......going thru the final x-ray....the security guard noticed it....and guess what???? yeah...you guessed it...bribe time....

In the usa....all I had to do was yell out that the security guy was asking for a bribe and/or go turn him in....and he would be TOAST (his butt would be fired)

AND...it would probably be on the NY City news that night

If I went to turn YOUR security guard in...HIS boss would probably want a BIGGER bribe from me or threaten to lock me up on some bogus charge haha

Honey...get your head out of the clouds.....

Hey, bgamb, thanks for the sweet words. I'm not that naive though. My fiance knows I do give a good fight when I think I'm right. And he does know I don't give way easily. Modesty aside, I think I'm tough enough for a naive-sounding person.

I think you are a nice man too. And I'm sure you got all worried when your fiance had to bribe the CFO guy. Maybe you can give more info as to which CFO office she bribed somebody? Is it in Manila or Cebu? After all, this post is for sharing info to future CFO seminar attendees. I met some friends who already attended the CFO seminar in Manila in the past year, and they all had good experiences at the Manila office. I can only assume that your fiance went for her CFO seminar in Cebu. Or maybe there are others here who can share that same "customary" bribery experience.

[bgamb 3]

Hey, bgamb, thanks for the sweet words. I'm not that naive though. My fiance knows I do give a good fight when I think I'm right. And he does know I don't give way easily. Modesty aside, I think I'm tough enough for a naive-sounding person.

I think you are a nice man too. And I'm sure you got all worried when your fiance had to bribe the CFO guy. Maybe you can give more info as to which CFO office she bribed somebody? Is it in Manila or Cebu? After all, this post is for sharing info to future CFO seminar attendees. I met some friends who already attended the CFO seminar in Manila in the past year, and they all had good experiences at the Manila office. I can only assume that your fiance went for her CFO seminar in Cebu. Or maybe there are others here who can share that same "customary" bribery experience.

manila

[sweet cakes 326]

manila

Sorry, my bad. I assumed it's Cebu because it's closer to Capiz.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Sorry, my bad. I assumed it's Cebu because it's closer to Capiz.

I hope they try to bribe you. They need a fighter to stand up to them.

[sweet cakes 326]

I hope they try to bribe you. They need a fighter to stand up to them.

Lol. They can try all they want, Dave. My fiance already warned me not to speak up like I always do when somebody tries to argue with me in public. Well, I still think I'm beyond nice until somebody knocks me off my tolerance-meter.. In case they do, I will, of course, try to keep my cool, until they sense my wrath coming.

Edited September 26, 2013 by sweet_cheeks

[Hank_ 9,174]

[seer8 2]

My fiance attended the CFO in Cebu by herself. She did not have any problems attending the seminar. We had everything listed, even the notarized advice form. They didn't ask for the notarized form. They just sat and talked for 15 minutes and that was it. She said that it was very boring. But it was just a step in the process.

As far as bribery is concerned, that it very suspicious. If, in their own words, say that they need 1000php in order to get a sticker or to "pass", I think that the applicant or attendee has right to address the issue in a more formal light. I would ask to speak to someone in charge, preferably someone who has inter-agency authority. It is more preferable than one who just "manages the office".

I would then ask to speak in a more private setting. This way, you can voice your concerns in a more discreet setting.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I would then ask to speak in a more private setting. This way, you can voice your concerns in a more discreet setting.

Would you? Really?? Or would you just pay it like everyone else and get it done? I suspect the latter. ..

[seer8 2]

Would you? Really?? Or would you just pay it like everyone else and get it done? I suspect the latter. ..

If you would imply that to get through CFO that I would pay a bribe is out of the question. We have done the cfo and paid the fee for attendance. However, if you think that since this is an ongoing situation, chances are it is of a random nature. Not all who goes through cfo are being "bribed". I would rather voice my concerns and change the system rather than the other way around. This is the heart of the discussion. CFO should be a place to facilitate information for the safety of the outgoing. But it seems, that the outgoing, is in danger of being the victim. DO NOT suggest that bribery is the right outcome in this situation.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I never said it was right. I just said that you, like most folks who are nearly done with the process, would rather pay than raise a fuss.

But I agree, turning in a corrupt agent is the right answer. Get a few bad eggs fired, and perhaps the problem will go away.

[Travelpro 3]

My fiance got hit with the Sputum test even though she has had her vaccinations and showed the paperwork. I told her to go back with 10,000php and ask the doctor to confirm if she really needs the sputum test. I know, wrong on so many levels but I would gladly pay it and some to bypass that 2 months waiting. Of course she is a better person than I and didn't go for it.

She has had a couple of medical exams done over the last year for new jobs and their x-ray's didn't show anything.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Travelpro

[Hank_ 9,174]

Glad your Fiancee didn't listen to you.

SLEC has to follow the procedures set by USEM which I would guess follow CDC rules. - when in doubt... spit.

[typo808 11]

It all begins with the SK election. (Eskecherman? not sure of spelling) As a junior member of a barangay's political system, the election is based on how many votes you can buy. Teenagers introduced into the system are taught that as the first thing: buy as many votes as you can to get elected. Even the voters will promise a vote, get paid 500php to do so, then switch their vote to the 1000php paying party.... and so on and so on. I am involved with my fiances younger sister's attempt at being elected.

And we wonder why the country can't be fixed. Ay naku!!

[typo808 11]

My fiance got hit with the Sputum test even though she has had her vaccinations and showed the paperwork. I told her to go back with 10,000php and ask the doctor to confirm if she really needs the sputum test. I know, wrong on so many levels but I would gladly pay it and some to bypass that 2 months waiting. Of course she is a better person than I and didn't go for it.

She has had a couple of medical exams done over the last year for new jobs and their x-ray's didn't show anything.

Sputum has to do with something seen in the X-rays of her lungs. Examples are bacteria in the air passages or fungi.