Deported by Creditors in country of origin?

Hi Dinomontana,

Welcome to the site. I've lived here in the Philippines for over eight years now. In all that time I have never heard of any problems with expats and creditors. Not even one. I suppose if you owed the IRS a lot of back taxes they would come looking and even attach your social security later in life. But regular companies or banks - no way.
A credit check is NOT required or done here to become a permanent resident either.

I left the states with a few unpaid bills and have never had a bit of a problem. I would suggest not giving any creditors a forwarding address when you move here or the "junk" mail will just keep coming.

Before I forget, I lived in Havre and also just outside of Chinook, on the road to the Chief Joseph Battleground back in the early 90's and then moved here from Nebraska. Still glad I made the move.


Hope that helps a bit,

Gene...

Hey, Thanks for the reply.  That is great news.  I was really worried about this.  I have tried to contact the state dept but they do the usual cant help you  online you must call then I get the phone transfer run around... BS!  I will of course get more input before i decide to stop paying but thanks again. Pampanga is by Angeles City right?  I plan on Mindanao to be by my fiance's family.  Keep in touch.  Dean

Hi Dean,

Good to hear from you. Yea, Angeles City is in Pampanga province about two hours north of  Manila and our house is about 25 minutes from Angeles/Balibago area. Far enough to be away from all the night clubs and tourist activities and still close enough to Clark Air Base so that there shopping malls, good restaurants, and duty free stores on base.

Have you ever been to the area where you plan to live on Mindanao? I’m asking because there is a US travel warning for Americans to avoid going there. There are expats that do live there like in Davao and others areas north of there that seem to do okay. But for myself and others I know it’s a good place to stay away from for safety concerns. Also, a distance away from in-laws helps prevent the never ending requests for financial help from your wife’s family as when a local here marries a foreigner, the entire family will think they struck gold! Also, depending on the family, that situation can be a cause of concern for your safety.
Check the US embassy site in Manila  for current advisories etc. Their site is at:US Embassy Manila

There is also a social security office at the embassy and information is also available on their site as well. When old enough for Social, you can get direct deposits here in the Philippines but the list of “approved” banks is quite short.

You have a good idea to get as much info as possible before moving here. I’m quite certain about debt collection from the US as this is not a US possession or territory. But the most important thing is to get GOOD information on the area where you want to live so that you can make an informed decision.

Once married here you can become a permanent  resident legally. It will cost about P35,000 but after that your yearly fee is under $10.00us dollars. Otherwise you end up paying visa extensions every two months and must exit the country overnight every two years and start the process over again when you return.

Anyway, keep us posted on your move and will try to answer any questions if  I can.


Take care,

Gene…

Thanks again,

Yes I have read the advisories, and yes i know it is dangerous.  My first goal is with her and her family... to get them to see her again and visit there to get to know everyone.  If I feel threatened we will leave the area and start somewhere else.  I know this sounds risky but I have to try.

I was looking at Cebu but she already has land and family in Zamboanga.  I need to try.  I kid her and tell her we may have to convert to Islam... I may be right huh?

Thanks again.  I will keep in touch.

Dean

Gene,

I remember your picture from reading previous posts.

Well, I have heard enough from everyone I know... not to go to Mindanao to stay.  Funny thing is my fiance' got a letter from her sister in Pampanga.  There is a house for quick/rush sale near her and she knows the owner.  Sounds really cheap and i am waiting on the pics now.  I can almost afford to buy it outright.  If we move there we will all have to get together!

About the banks, PNB okay?  There is a branch in LA so I thought it would be usable.

Thanks again,
Dean

Dean,

From your pic, you seem to be a relatively young guy. So if your bills are so much that your cant pay them off, consider going into bankruptcy, then at least if your out of the US for the 7 years it takes to clear your credit history, you will be in better shape than just stop paying your bills. At some point, you may want to come back and not have to worry about unpaid bills from way back. Just my 2 centavos.

On buying property, everyone will say they have a cheap property for sale. Dont rush into these things as title is real difficult to obtain. You will get burned.  Title will be in her name and if your not married, why rush into buying property. Cheaper to just rent for a few years until you know the area and family. Also, selling property will usually take 6 months or more.

I would not open an account in PNB or any Phils bank branch in the US. Not assured you will be able to transfer money. Citi or HSBC is a better bank if they have a branch in Mindanao. I use Citi and have no problems transferring money via internet and they are the cheapest at $10/15 per transfer internet/branch.

That is real good advice--especially on bills in the US and also buying property here. Another reason to wait is one, what might be an okay house to locals will likely look and be more suited to being a livestock barn. Secondly, if you have not spent at least six months (in person) with your fiancee you may find out the hard way what many others have before you and get taken to the cleaners. No matter what you think or feel just remember, this is not the states and their sense of right and wrong is far different than there.
Example: our next door neighbor (female) is supposedly engaged to an American guy. He thinks all is okay and that he has found the RIGHT ONE. The reality of it is that she is already married to a local and has one infant child. She is and will continue using this trusting guy until he wises up and she will simply move on to the next guy.

Yea, I know the PNB branch your speaking of. It's on Wilshire Blvd in Brentwood.

No, PNB is not on the list of approved banks. The best bank (in my opinion) in the Philippines that IS on the list is China Bank.

Hey yea, if you move up this way we'll have to meet over at Marquee Mall for lunch or something.


Gene

Thanks for the banking info.  China.. got it.  The reason student loans are a problem is that they are not cleared by bankruptcy.  When I contacted them to let them know my situation... can't pay due to becoming disabled from military service in Iraq... their response is I need to get a job any job and pay.  In other words, "F' you, pay me!"  i would love to just stop paying but I am afraid it could effect my renewal of my passport when that time comes.

I really do love and trust her.  I also know what you are talking about.... i just think I am wiser than that.  i pretty much have it taken care of.  I have been to PI before several times so I was prepared when I began my search for her.

About the property.  I really want to have a home.  It will be temporary at the very least and if we like it we will stay.  It can always be resold.  It may not be the best action but at this point I am not really sure where to go.  I just want to be near her family in some way.

Hi,
The best thing to do is rent for a few months near where you plan to live.If you buy now and dont like the area it could take along time to sell it again.
noel

hey buddy, i wish you the best, i just stumbled on this site and had to register after seeing this.  DONT BUY ANY HOUSE OR LOT NO MATTER HOW GOOD, i like to have my own place as well but got burned as many other canos. theres no need, you can rent a place for $100-300+ depending. if theres a problem you can move easily, otherwise you wait 10yrs and it never sells, DONT DO IT, 4 YOUR OWN GOOD, YOULL BE SCREWED LATER. look around and also feel the situation with the family, remember your the atm 4 them even if you dont think so, my friend once said better your 1000km from the family then you have a chance with your wife, i learned the hard way.
i know you want your own place but much better you can move around, its cheaper to rent and no problem to move when things get shitty, im sure her family has good intentions, BUT BETTER YOU MAKE A NEW LIFE WITH YOUR WIFE IN OTHER PLACE.

Thanks for the advice.  It is funny but I did just that... I decided to not buy anything yet and we are going to the place I originally wanted to go... Siargao Island.  We will go there, find a good place to rent and just lay back awhile.  I can't wait.  When reading blogs and boards and I see that Siargao is "miles from anywhere" I just grin.  Hope to meet some cool people over there.  Planning on about Dec-Feb time frame.

Thanks again