People would believe anything these days.

There is this email, facebook posts, blog posts going around that is entitled, “Who owns a house like this“. The email shows you pictures of an elegant (yes, very nice) house and at the bottom, it says, it is owned by Manny Villar (one of the presidentiables of 2010 Philippine Elections). I don’t know who started this chain email but a lot of people are believing this scam / hoax email.

I’m not pro-villar or anything but a quick research will prove that this email is fake. If you do a quick search on the words of the email in Google, skip past the other people who blindly copy paste this, you will see websites claiming that this was fake years ago. It was used against another person before, the president of Zimbabwe, now, the words has been changed and is being used against Manny Villar.

Crab Mentality at its best.

Source: http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/mugabe.asp

The email follows…

Imagine who would have such taste and live in such opulence?

An American Billionaire?
A Saudi Prince?
Louis XIV OF FRANCE?

Savour the pictures then scroll to the bottom of the page to see who owns this Work of Art.

This Mansion is in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA and belongs to:
SENATOR MANNY VILLAR of the PHILIPPINES

While Filipinos starve, and die because of abject poverty ….and while Sen. Villar brags that he had
poor beginnings and he had helped his poor countrymen over and over again… but look now.. he and his
family live like this…….his GREED kills his poverty stricken fellow Filipinos .
PLEASE send this to everyone you know.
They can send it to everyone they know.
Soon Filipinos around the world will know what this man is doing to the people he wishes to serve if
elected President.

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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I have this fear of buying items overseas because of the Philippine Customs Horror Stories that I have read in several websites.

I have recently started using ebay to search for items that I want to buy. I am lazy to go to shops so I simply go online. However, there are some items that unfortunately, aren’t sold by local sellers here in the Philippines so my only option was to buy overseas (usually Hong Kong or China). Another advantage of buying internationally because some items are much cheaper there.

I did some readings and researched on how to get items from international sellers and to my surprise, instead of reading instructions, I have read horror stories of corruption.

Basically, to buy from online sellers, here are the steps to receive the item.

1. Seller will ship the item to your address via airmail (may or may not offer tracking number – usually shipping with tracking number costs more but you can haggle. Also note that the tracking number is only valid while the item is in transit. When the item arrives at the Philippines, you cannot track it anymore unless you used a courier service like DHL, FEDEX)
2. Once your item arrives at the Philippines, either it will be on Customs or in the Postal office
3. You can claim your item after paying fees

Seems easy right? But why do I see so many stories on how hard it is to do Step 2 and Step 3? Here are the things that I have read.

• Customs will charge you with very expensive fees which they call tax (they may or may not give you a receipt)
• Items has been opened, tampered or even stolen from your parcel (you can research on google adsense check stolen by post office)

This really made me skeptical though I recently bought an item from Ebay. I am really crossing my fingers that I will be spared by those crocodiles sitting in that office .. else, well, it would be lesson learned for me and of course, another post.

Please share your Philippine Customs Horror Stories here.

Read here on How the Bureau of Customs Spoiled the Fun for Mr Abe of Yugatech. I guess it really shows on how they respond is who they are.

Beware of buying toys from abroad. Customs will tax your item 100% more than the item price + shipping.

A digital media player from Singapore was taxed around 50% of the price by Customs. Read the whole story and see how they compute your taxes. Another item shipped, and got again 50% of the item price worth of taxes.

Random Tax on N900 by Bureau of Customs.

Tax on action figure toys.

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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Yesterday, I joined a Facebook Cause, “Help Earthquake Survivors in Haiti” and was looking for a way to donate.

However, I saw that they only use Credit Card and sadly, I don’t have a credit card yet so I’m thinking that I want to donate via Paypal. However, thanks for Marghil’s post, I can now donate via Paypal.

Paypal with SaveTheChildren.org are together in this activity. Paypal is also removing any transaction fees for the donations (which I believe is really a great move on their part else they would be gaining profit from all the donations).

Donate Via Paypal to Save the Children for the Haiti Earthquake Victims

URL: https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2010/01/how-you-can-help-with-haiti-earthquake-relief-efforts-via-paypal-ebay/

Let me start by donating too.

Donations Coordinator Contact Information
Save the Children Federation, Inc.
twebster@savechildren.org
800-728-3843

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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Ondoy and Pepeng brought floods to the Philippines and one thing that people who waded in floodwater has to take into consideration the health risk in doing so. A disease that can be gotten by walking in flooded pathways is called Leptospirosis.

How to avoid Leptospirosis

• If you can avoid it, do not walk in flooded areas.
• If you have any open wounds, walking in flooded water can be deadly due to infection.
• After walking in flooded water, wash yourself as soon as you can
• Get rid of rats in your area

What are symptoms of leptospirosis

• Fever
• Discoloration of Eye and skin
• tea colored urine

Local Medicine to buy

• Doxycycline

It is best to go into a hospital to have a check up just to be sure. Let’s take good care of ourselves and hope for the best.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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We recently got back our water/electricity and phone lines back online so I’m here to blog.

I’m trying to catch up with the news but if you want some already posted news, check out

FleshAsiaDaily’s post on Water

How you can help the victims of Ondoy

Although we can rely on our officials to help, we can also help the victims through donating.

• Donate to Red Cross PH -
  SMS
  text RED<space>AMOUNT  to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

  G-CASH
  text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

• Check out ABSCBN News link for more ways on how you can help
  How you can help Ondoy Victims

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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Watch Miss Universe 2009 here. Who will win and be the girl of the universe? ^_^

Watch live video from Telemundo on Justin.tv

Disclaimer: This is not owned by the owners of this blog. This streaming is from Justin.Tv. If any copyright infringement has occurred, please notify me so that I will remove this streaming link.

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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Got this from a goverment website, –>http://forums.gov.ph/thread.asp?rootID=217582&catID=9 .. I hope this helps but we need to print this out.

PRIMER FOR POSTAL SERVICE
Answers from the Tariff Code and National Internal Revenue Code
on the most frequently asked questions.

1) What is the role of the Bureau of Customs in Postal Service?

( TCCP Sec. 602. – Functions of the Bureau )
“ The general duties, powers and jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs shall
include:

“ The assessment and collection of the lawful revenues from imported articles and all other dues, fees, charges, fines and penalties accruing under the tariff and customs law ”

“ The prevention and suppression of smuggling and other frauds upon the Customs ”

“ The enforcement of the tariff and customs law and all other laws, rules and regulations relating to the tariff and customs administration ”

“ The supervision and control over the handling of mails arriving in the Philippines, for the purpose of the collection of the lawful duty on dutiable articles thus imported and the prevention smuggling through the medium of such mail ”

2) Why does my mail ( parcel ) need to be opened or examined?

( TCCP Sec.1206 – Jurisdiction over importation of articles )
“ The Collector shall cause all articles entering the jurisdiction of his district and destined for importation through his port to be entered at the customhouse, shall cause all such articles to be appraised and classified, and shall assess and collect the duties, taxes and other charges thereon, and shall hold possession of all imported articles upon which duties, taxes and other charges have not been paid or secured to be paid, disposing of the same according to law ”

“ For the enforcement of the tariff and customs laws, the following persons are authorized to effect searches, seizures and arrest conformably with the provisions of said laws . Officials of the Bureau of Customs, District and deputy collectors, police, agents, inspectors and guards of the Bureau of Customs. ”

3) What are the articles subject to duty?

( TCCP. Sec. 100 – Imported articles subject to Duty )
“ All articles, when imported from any foreign country into the Philippines, shall be subject to duty upon each importation, even though previously exported from the Philippines, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Code or in other laws ”

4) What are the basis of assessment of Duty?

( TCCP. Sec. 104. Rates of Import Duty )
“ All Tariff Sections, Chapters, headings and subheadings and the rates of import
duty under section 104 of Presidential Decree No. 34 and shall subsequent amendments issues under Executive Orders and Presidential Decrees are hereby adopted and form
part of this Code ”

( TCCP. Sec. 203 – Exchange Rate )
“ For the assessment and collection of import duty upon imported articles and for
other purpose, the value and prices thereof quoted in foreign currency shall be converted into the currency of the Philippines at the current rate of exchange or value specified or published, form time to time, by the Central Bank of the Philippines ”

( TCCP. Sec. 201 – Basis of Dutiable Value )
“ The dutiable value of an imported article subject to an ad valorem rate of duty shall be the transaction value, which shall be the price paid or payable for the goods when sold for export to the Philippines, adjusted by adding the following to the extent that they are incurred by the buyer but are not included in the price actually paid or payable for the imported goods ”

“ Commissions and brokerage fees (except buying commissions); cost of containers; and the cost of packing, whether for labor or materials;

“Cost of containers;

“cost of packing, whether for labour or materials;

“The amount of royalties and license fees related to the goods being valued that the buyer must pay, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of sale of the goods to the buyer;

“ The cost of transport of the imported goods from the port of exportation to the port of entry in the Philippines ” (postage)

“The value of any part of the proceeds of any subsequent resale, disposal or use of the imported goods that accrues directly or indirectly to the seller;

“ Loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the transport of the imported goods from the country of exportation to the port of entry in the Philippines”

“ Cost of Insurance”

Thus: Value of the Article in ($)
+ Commission & Brokerage Fees
+ Cost of Containers
+ Cost of Packing
+ Amount of Royalties
+ Cost of Transportation (shipping)
+ Value of Resale
+ Loading and Handling Charges
+ Cost of Insurance
__________________________
= Total Value
x Exchange Rate ($ – Peso)
__________________________
= Dutiable Value
x Rate of Duty / Tariff (%)
__________________________
= Customs Duty

(TCCP. Sec. 3301 – Customs fees and charges)
“ For services rendered and documents issued by the Bureau of Customs, the following fees shall be charged and collected, by affixing Customs Documentary Stamp in the correct amount upon the document or any other paper which is subject of charge and cancellation of such stamp in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner, and no such document or any other paper shall be issued or granted by any customs official until the correct amount of stamps shall have been affixed and cancelled; Provided however, That fees of two hundred fifty pesos (250 Php) or over may be paid in cash.

“For each Entry Filed an Import Processing fee of two hundred fifty pesos (250Php) shall be charged as indicated in the Official Receipt”

5) Why is V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) included in the assessment?

(NIRCP. as amended by R.A. 8424, Sec. 12 – Agents and Deputies )
“ The following are hereby constituted agents of the Commissioner:

“ the Commissioner of Customs and his subordinates with respect to the collection of National Internal Revenue Taxes on Imported goods ”

6) What is the basis of the assessment of the V.A.T. on imported articles?

(NIRCP. as amended by R.A. 8424 Sec.101 – Value Added Tax on Importation )

“ There shall be levied, assessed and collected on every importation of goods a value added tax equivalent to ten percent (12%) based on the total value used by the Bureau of Customs in determining tariff and customs duties, plus customs duties, excise tax, if any, and other charges, such tax to be paid by the importer prior to the release of such good from customs custody; Provided, that where the customs duties are determined on the basis of the quantity or volume of the goods, the value-added tax shall be based on the landed cost plus excise tax, if any ”

Thus: Dutiable Value
+ Customs Duties
+ Customs Doc Stamps (250)
+ Import Processing Fee (250)
_______________________
= Total Taxable Cost for VAT
x 12% EVAT Rate
_______________________
Value Added Tax Cost

(R.A. 8424 Sec. 188- BIR Stamp Tax Certificate)
“ On each certificate of damage or otherwise, and on every certificate or document issued by any customs officer, marine surveyor, or any person acting as such, and on each certificate issued by a notary public, and on each certificate of any description required by law or by rules or regulations of public office, or which is issued for the purpose of giving information, or establishing proof of fact, and not otherwise specified herein, there shall be collected a documentary stamp tax of fifteen pesos (15 Php) ”

Thus Customs Duty
+ Value Added Tax
+ Customs Doc Stamps (250)
+ Import Processing Fee (250)
+ BIR Stamp Tax (15)
_______________________
Total Payable Amount

7) Why is it necessary for me to pay duties and taxes?

( TCCP Sec. 1204 – Liability of importer for duties and taxes )
“ Unless relived by laws or regulations, the liability for duties, taxes, fees and other charges attached on importations constitutes a personal debt due from the importer to the government which can be discharged only by payment in full, all duties, taxes, fees and other charges legally accruing. It also constitutes a lien upon the articles imported, which may be enforced while such articles are in the custody or subject to the control of the government ”

Note: This Primer has carefully selected and written only the relevant
Subsections to a given Article with multiple subsections relevant to the position of the Bureau of Customs with regards to the Postal Service, in case of any further inquiry on the matter please be guided accordingly to the reference of the said Article of the TCCP or NIRC.

For More Information on The Bureau Of Customs
Write to : The Office of The District Collector
Bureau of Customs, Port of Manila

Or visit : www.customs.gov.ph

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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There was a shooting incident in a LA Fitness center.

A gunman entered the premises, turned off the lights and started shooting. Atleast five were already confirmed dead and the gun man was also one of them.

It is still unknown on what is the motive of the killer.

See the LA Fitness Shooting Video

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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She died at around 3:18 AM.

It has been 23 years since that EDSA revolution that made the world say WOW, a bloodless revolution. She was the widow of the assasinated Ninoy Aquino and was the one who brought back democracy to the Philippines after a period of Martial Law.

My sincere condolences to Cory Aquino and may you rest in peace.

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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Are you looking for a list of Philippine Holidays for the year 2010? We have it here.

Regular Holidays for 2010

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Maundy Thursday (April 1)
• Good Friday (April 2)
• Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Independence Day (June 14, Monday nearest June 12)
• National Heroes Day (August 30, last Monday of August)
• Bonifacio Day (November 29, Monday nearest November 30)
• Christmas Day (December 25, Saturday)
• Rizal Day (December 27, Monday nearest December 30).

Special Non-Working Holidays

• Ninoy Aquino Day (August 23, Monday nearest Aug August 23)
• All Saints Day (Nov. 1, Monday)
• December 24
• December 31

Special Holiday for schools

• Edsa Revolution (February 22, Monday nearest February 25)

Undetermined Holiday dates

• Eid’l Fitr
• Eid’l Adha

National Working Holiday

• Iglesia ni Cristo founding (July 27)

I hope this list has helped you plan your vacations properly this 2010 year.

Written by Allen from Silkenhut’s World

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