My Online Shopping and Customs Tax, Delivery Experience

I ordered a car On Board Diagnostics (OBD) from an online shopping website in China where I got the tool for $17.00 plus $19 shipping fee from FedEx (yes, the shipping is more expensive than the item) but the item is not available here nor it a similar tool is too expensive) I paid for the item using my Paypal accout, part of my earnings for my profitable main travel blog (than this pathetic and almost forgotten blog due to my lack of time) WHen FedEx called me up, I was informed that Philippine Bureau of Customs is charging me $30 as import duty or tax on my purchase, I simply mentioned that they can have my item, I don't want to pay such tax on improperly assessed tax. I have no issues paying taxes as long as it's fair but this one's just so like a highway robbery. I wonder if I can also do the same with Ali Express via DHL for my solar power needs

Pedro Romualdo and Prospero Nograles' Legacy: The Non-passing of the Freedom of Information Bill

It's such a very frustrating news that after 24 years and several Houses of Congresesses had come and go, a basic right enshrined in the Constitution, The Freedom of Information Act was not passed by the House of Representatives

I was waiting closely the Inquirer.Net breaking news when the sad news of it's non-passing was displayed. As usual, The House of Representathieves wasn't able to get a quorum due to always absent "honorable" congressmen in a junket somewhere.

However, as it was tradition to even pass important priority bills even without a quorum, it was a motion to a roll call made by Camiguin Representative Pedro Romualdo that ultimately killed the bill.

Note the Senate already approved the bill and called on the House of Representathieves to do the same, but this horrorable congressman from Camiguin spoiled it all in the name of the rule to have a quorum first.

Such is the the legacy of Camiguin Representative Pedro Romualdo and also of House Speaker Prospero Nograles: the non-passing of the Freedom of Information Act.

Let's just leave it to the next congress, this time with the help of president-elect Noynoy Aquino, to pass the bill promoting transparency in all government transactions always laden with SOP, graft, kickbacks and under the table deals.

If only it's legal to just terminate all absent congressmen and the one who filed the motion for a roll call....

sigh...

Class A Motorcraft Banawe Car Repair Shop Woes

For about a week i've experienced hard starting of my Vios 1.5g in the morning and in the evening when I'm about to go home.

Since I live 10 minutes away from Banawe, I searched for "reliable" and "dependable" shops in the area, quite far from the pesky freelancers.

I chose Class A Motorcraft Service Shop as recommended by some people in this forum where I lurk and occasionaly post. I called them up for an appointment that they said i drop by at 1pm.

Since i've done research on the problem, mention of fuel pump check valve problem that can be checked by switching ignition key from off to on about three or four times before cranking and indeed my car starts.

When i got to Motorcraft on Banaue, Quezon City i spoke to the mechanic (eric) and told him of my problems and suspicion that it's the fuel pump and asked if they can do the residual fuel pressure test to verify (i've done my research, i know the theory but i wanted to see experienced people actually perform it). He mentioned my problem's with the fuel filter, being not a mechanic, but an aspiring DIY mechanic, i gave in to his diagnosis based on my narration.

Motorcraft replaced my fuel filter supposedly with an original toyota fuel filter worth P2000 (i called up toyota casa and i was quoted P2452 for this so it's about ok) plus P550 labor.

On initial starting after installation, I had to crank 3 times just to start (my original problem) but another mechanic told me it's normal for a newly-installed filter...

After leaving the shop and told the mechanic I'll just observe later if the hard-starting problem is solved. I drove to a spa on west avenue for my hedonistic pursuits and to alleviate my back pain. On leaving the spa, starting the engine was harder with several attempts but was able to start it after several tries and drove home.

The following morning, my car won't start after many tries, even if i toggle the key from On to Off. I'm pretty sure it's a fuel system problem-- fuses and relays fine, no error codes (i have my own OBD II scanner), sparks plugs ok and car seems to start, shakes then dies as if there's no gas (on a half-full gas tank)

I called up Motorcraft Banawe about the problem, spoke to Eric and, after speaking to his boss Robert Ong, informed me they're going to check my car and requested for my contact numbers to call me back and coordinate.

I filed an emergency leave from work just to wait for Motorcraft guys to arrive and check my car but no people, not even a text or call came.

I called them again at 5pm (using my cellphone for 10 minutes) to inquire if they're really coming and was able to personally talk to Robert Ong, who told me it's not the fuel filter they installed but probably something else, and committed again to come to my home to personally check my car.

Next day, I left my car keys at home and requested my mom to wait for Robert Ong and company but they again never came...no text, no call on my cellphone nor at my office phone that also logs all missed calls.

My car not starting problem may not be their doing, but they misdiagnosed my complaint and installed a filter that i still don't need, since I've only 26,000 kilometers on my odometer, made me cough out P2550.00.

Second, they promised, not once, but twice, to come to my aid but reneged on their promise...how "reliable" and "dependable"

as a rememdy, I called up Speedy Fix, highly recommended motor repair shop on Shaw Boulevard in mandaluyong and had my Toyota Vios towed there. Speedy Fix mechanic needed less than an hour to fix my car with the culprit-- incorrectly installed gasket of the fuel pump that gave way and leaked. Something Motorcraft could have corrected easily if they only went to my house as they promised thus this negative feedback of their supposedly good reputation.

I was charged P500 by Speedy Fix, something that should've been charged to Motorcraft for their "class A" service...just charged it to experience again.

House of Representatives to Honor Cory Aquino and yet still want to go on with Cha-cha!

How could you, my "beloved" congressmen, honor Cory Aquino if you still want to push through with charter change. Didn't you know that it's Cory's gift to the Filipino people that you're trying to amend to suit your own ends?

Cory, unlike the present sitting president whose boots you lick, could've had prolonged herself in power having come from a revolutionary government yet instead used her powers to draft a new constitution.

The 1986 Constitution is not perfect but the amendments proposed are not really necessary.

Stop dreaming and leave Cory's gift alone. That's the best honor you'll give her in these days.

Mar Roxas, Korina Sanchez Wedding Latest News

The romance between politician Mar Roxas and tv personality Korina Sanchez again made annoucements that they're getting hitched and soon to tie the knot

Or so it seems. It's been like that every national elections.

I wonder what they're up to now...updates soon probably for the official announcement or during the Roxas clan reunion.

All I can say is: di ko kayo pababayaan, lalaban tayo!

'Nough said!

Latest Ted Failon Wife Suicide Brouhaha

The news is already all over the place. Ted Failon's wife comitted suicide. The apparent cause, as reported by some media, was said to financial problems. A certain tabloid even reported Failon's wife allegedly emptied their savings reported to be about twenty million pesos in an investment scam (for samples of scams, please click the Scam label on the right navigation pane).

Ted Failon, real name Mario Teodoro Etong, is a hard-hitting radio commentator of ABS-CBN and police really expected him to be alert as to report the apparent suicide to the police.

The maids and drivers won't be absolved from obstruction of justice even if they didn't know that they need to preserve the "crime scene" for SOCO to document and aanalyze for forensic pusposes. This must be something they "learned" from ABS-CBN and GMA teleseryes where it's ok to clean them and thus remain ignorant of proper legal actions (yeah, i lament the way teleserye writes keep writing stupid plots and twists and story lines further adding to the miseducation of the common pinoy). They also are not aware of their rights that police should never treat them like that as sehown on TV. They can't be manhandled by police, and detained without proper legal procedures.

Quezon City policemen are now also being investigated for the overkill as if they really have an ax to grind against Ted Failon.

ABS-CBN, again in their biased reporting style, are all praises. I don't know but I just don't believe them much more if it's Boy Abunda holding the mic. They have a vested interest in this case, moreso that i don't trust them to deliver unbiased news like they always do with GMA (i'm not a pro-GMA but i still don't like the way they present one-sided stories and commentaries)

I expect the headlines to contain this in a few more days. Th country only needs another major headline to talk about to forget about more important and pressing things.

Ted Failon's wife wake is at Arlington Funeral on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City and is not open to the public. No information yet on interment date.

It's a good thing, the latest news, that another hostage of the Abu Sayyaf was recently released and it will provide some respite on this news item that I consider not fit for national consumption.

Just leave them alone, focus on more important matters!

"Cheap" NLEX Towing: Wrecker of Moods

This happened to mommy just last Black Saturday on NLEX on their way to Manila.

Mommy has been treating all her jeepney drivers' families to an annual outing at a beach. This time, she treated them to a beach somewhere in Morong, Bataan.
One of the drivers forgot to diesel up before going back and so ran out of diesel on NLEX. When the jeepney stalled, the ever alert highway patrol policemen got to them together with a tow truck and inquired about the problem. When they learned about what happened, they told mom that if they can't leave the shoulder after 30 minutes, they'll tow the jeepney to the gasoline station for PhP1,500.00.

But they proposed a cheaper alternative to the "wrecker" service where they will buy the diesel at the gas station for PhP1000.00 only.

Mom thought about it and agreed since it's cheaper than towing the jeepney and she's afraid about traffic violation tickets and fines (though I told her later there's no fine, the wrecker will just town the jeepney to the gas station). The policemen took the driver with them to the gas station, bought PhP200.00 worth of diesel in a plastic container, returned to the jeepney.

The policemen thus earned PhP800.00 in the "heist" and my mom PhP700.00 and it's Black Saturday.

Lesson: always check your fuel tanks of else be "helped" by enterprising NLEX police

The Stupid EDSA People Power Anniversary Celebration

It's stupid and not well-planned! EDSA revoultion particularly the spirit of EDSA should be kept alive but the celebration should never be made on EDSA with the closing of Metro Manila's main thoroughfare

EDSA was turned into a very long parking lot due to the celebration with a portion near Cubao up to Ortigas avenue closed.

I spent 2.5 hours "parked" on that dreaded avenue this morning...I know I should've avoided the main artery but my memory gap (due to GMA's playing down of the EDSA revolution) got the better of me.

Why not celebrate it somewhere else? Somewhere it won't make other people's life hard? Isn't that hard to do?

Alkaline Water and Alkaline Diet: The Truth

When I went home last weekend, i drank water from a dispenser at a party and instantly noticed the peculiar taste of the water, similar to the water that was formerly served in the office

it's alkaline water, whose claim, again, is based on a false Alkaline diet, advocated by quacks claiming so many things without solid scientific evidence except a book about the alkaline diet.

Alkaline diet is based on a theory that the food we eat should always be alkaline since our blood is alkaline. Stupid people...our stomach is naturally acidic because the acid is used to digest food while our intestines are basic due to bile...

try to read my earlier post about Fern-C and Alkaline Diet quackery and you'll see the reasons why...

it didn't come from me but from experts and authorities on the subject. Don't ever get fooled by deceptive sales presentation using a light bulb...

Related Post:
Fern C, Sodium Ascorbate and Acid/Alkaline Diet

Believe It Or Not, Chris Tiu is a Boring Host

I'm a big fan of Ripley's Believe or Not, from the great Jack Palance to the later Dean Cain (of Lois and Clark) as hosts.

On Philippine TV, the show is anchored by Ateneo Basketball star Chris Tiu. While he's a very good basketball player, his hosting skills need lots of polishing...to the point of being boring with an almost monotonous tone reminiscent of AM radio station hosts.

Didn't you notice it? Try to listen to the way he presents each Believe It or Not feature and you'll see...he also depends too much on the teleprompter...

Gagambino Writers Need Lessons on Biology

Here's my usual Kapuso rant on the latest superhero series of GMA 7: Gagambino

I've always maintained that television, including teleseryes ought to write the truth and educate people even if it's just entertainment. I always see plots and twists on legal matters that's so twisted from reality that I partly blame writers and directors for the ignorance of their viewers who think teleserye plots and twists happen in real life.

The latest of these is not legal stuff but merely on biology, they keep on calling the four bida of the series as insects: a bee, praying mantis, scorpion and the spider.

Well...spiders and scorpions are not insects, they're arachnids! they have four pair pairs of legs compared to insects with three...

Now I see small children thinking spiders are insects and so thus they're parents. Thanks to Gagambino! :(

Executive Privilege, Supreme Court and MILF MOA on Ancestral Domain

Here we go again, after that "error" of the Supreme Court effectively letting Neri walk away with potentially damaging disclosure regarding his conversations with PGMA about the NBN-ZTE scandal, the iron lady again is using the same executive privilege tack, not against the Senate, her traditional enemy, but against the Supreme Court, regarding the constitutionality of the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Government of the Replublic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Muslim rebel group in Mindanao whose end is independence.

According to news reports, GRP is considering creation of the so called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) larger than the present ARMM with the inclusion of villages that also infringes on the ancentral domain of lumads of Mindanao particularly the Subanons of Zamboanga peninsula.

The Philippine daily Inquirer report stated "the government said while negotiations with the MILF did not involve any foreign power, there were military and national concerns raised." and that "the Philippine government and the BJE are to exercise “shared authority and responsibility” over the Bangsamoro homeland."

Let's wait and see how this will transpire. I just wish the justices who voted in favor of executive privilege realize the mistake they made and make corrections as early as possible.

Executive privilege should not be upheld when the interests of the people are at stake. It cannot be invoked just to cover up crimes committed by the president.

I am for peace, for a lasting one, but compromising other things to attain the objectives is not negotiable. The MILF has an ultimate end of secession and eventual independence. Should the MOA be implemented, only time will tell if the fears of many are true.

Heavy Traffic on EDSA

This morning I left home shortly after 7 to get headway in driving to makati from Quezon City since it's a Monday and I expect more than the usual traffic during other days...turned out traffic's worst this time.

As as tuned in to DZBB on the AM band, got wind of the accident under the Ayala tunnel where a large truck containing ethanol smashed the center island of the tunnel when the truck (allegedly) avoided sideswiping with a speeding bus. The MMDA closed off the tunnel to traffic due to the dangerous cargo spilled on the road.

I was already nearing GMA Kamuning and I know traffic will really be bad. I didn't even think of finding an alternate route to avoid traffic (possibly to San Juan and Mandaluyong) since I sensed it would be futile since other drivers will also look for one.

I was right! when I got to the office at 10, after almost 3 hours driving, my officemates who tried to avoid EDSA ended up like me.

What happened to the Ayala tunnel? All I know is that it's currently germ-free and disinfected :P

Text Reloadable AXS Card as MRT Pass

I've been seeing new RFID readers installed at MRT entrances and definitely sure they're not like Globe's G-Pass and Smart's Metropass. It's just recently that i've learned the readers are there for yet another way to buy a supposedly hassle-free ticket to the MRT though I always see to it that I have stored value ticket (SVT) with me whenever I use up my card and buy before leaving the station.

AXS Card, I was informed, is a product of LoadXtreme, that multi-level marketing company, selling prepaid loads and other stuff, who kept their investors in the dark last year, without word of recouping investment, website taken down and telephone lines left unanswered FOR MONTHS, to suddenly appear again as if nothing happened.

If you're thinking of buying AXS Cards, caveat emptor!

I'd rather stick with my tested routine of buying a SVT immediately after using up the last one-- that's only during Thursdays, by the way, when my car's banned due to number coding.

Lastly, I long to see the day when a unified ticketing system for MRT, LRT, Pasig Ferry, even taxis can be paid using a system similar to Singapore's EZLink cards and Hong Kong's Octopus cards.

Dream on!

LoadXtreme Resurrects and Now Owned by Vmobile Technologies

A friend of mine who took a dive and invested his hard-earned money last year to a networking firm LoadXtreme that primarily sells cellphone loads, Internet cards and other stuff using a single retailer SIM card.

Bad news is that after just a few weeks, LoadXtreme suffered frequent downtimes and once shut down that appeared to be for good. No official word came out from the owners until a few days ago, after months of "darkness," when an SMS message suddenly appeared out of limbo.

The four part text message goes:

"Good News! LoadXtreme is back and is now under the management of VMobile Technologies, Inc. owned by a leading investment banking company. Migrate your account now!

To migrate your LX ID, type PLX VMOB // (Smart, Globe, TM, Sun, TnT) and send to 0921-5500078(S)/0916-7534744(G)/0922-9995555(Sun).

New depository bank accounts (next day credit):
BDO(464-006-2675),
BPI (4021-0110-91)
Bills Payment (same day credit)
Unionbank (VMOBILE)

Please include your ID#

Visit www.loadxtreme.ph or call 706.3818-19 for details.

(NEW) Sell AXS card for MRT rides and reload AXS via LX. Email us at loadxtreme@vmobile.com.ph"

I can only say that LoadXtreme is really insensitive to all their clients due to lack of official statement from them regarding their absence and also this resurrection. They owe a lot of explanation for this. They just can't send a message to all their distributors and retailers that who were left in the dark. How about the lost deposits of people during the unexplained downtimes? They can't even name the investment bank behind their re-opening for due diligence.

I have to warn them though, there's an upcoming BSP circular that aims to regulate emoney/e-wallet systems like theirs. Prepare for stringent regulations, anti-money laundering controls and KYC stuff.

LoadXtreme, shape up lest people tag you as a fly-by-night scam!

Juday on Meralco Systems Loss

Such pathetic TV and radio commercial, might be trimedia since I don't know if they have it on print, where Judy Ann Santos tries to explain the current issue of systems loss on-passed to hapless consumers using a simple ice analogy.

To Meralco, I don't think people are that stupid to fall for your cheap analogy. Many Filipinos may be ignorant and watch lame telenovelas with lame twists and predictable story lines. Comparing systems loss to selling ice won't cut it since it's much more than melted ice that's the problem, that can't be compressed in 30 second commercial ad that's why hours and hours were spent on explaining the problem in senate hearings.

Lastly to Juday, was the paycheck really too hard to resist that's why you accepted to "explain" to the people the inexplicably high electric bills these days?

Police in Manila with GPS Devices?

I read the news lately with the Manila Police District being equipped with GPS devices for them to go to a crime scene aided with the satellite-guided device. It's a good move actually coupled with police visibility and camera surveillance but a GPS won't cut it of the police can't get to the scene on time.

Regarding policement, what irked me recently was just yesterday, Makati traffic police went up to a driver of an FX who apparently beat a red light on Paseo de Roxas. The driver argued with the traffic enforcer and later showed his ID declaring himself a policeman. The enforcer went away without saying a word or penalizing the "mamang pulis." Good thing for the policeman too since I wasn't able to see his plate number.

Policemen should be enforcers of the law and not lawbreakers. Those scums really think they're above the law.

Unethical BIR Employee and RA3019

Not my thing actually to eavedrop on other people's conversation but last weekend during our company outing's stopover at KFC on NLEX, we were seated next to a family loudly discussing about computers, laptops and Internet.

A big man, I presume was the father, talked about Globe's newest promo of a 2 year unlimited Internet connection costing P1599 that comes with a free 14" laptop.

One of my companions working at Globe Telecoms wanted to butt in since she knows the price is just P1495 and the laptop is only 7' and actually not free since you amortize for it during the two year lock in period.

The biggest disappointment was when the horizontally-challenged woman, the mother, bragged about not having to buy a laptop since she was given one by one of her taxpayers. Now, where do you expect to work with taxpayers and shower you gifts?

It's not just unethical to accept gifts from "clients" even if not explicitly asking for something in return, it's also illegal as prohibited under RA 3019, the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

No wonder tax collections are low in this part of the world!

Dulce and Rene Saguisag Accident

Yesterday morning when I first opened my daily dose of news, I immediately read the current headline about the death of Dulce Saguisag, wife of Atty and former senator Rene Saguisag when a speeding dumptruck rammed their van in Makati City. Dulce Saguisag, a former secretary of DSWD died on impact while Atty. Rene Saguisag remained in critical condition.

As expected, pictures, videos and old clips of the former senator was shown on TV. Doctors interviewed even said he's responding to simple commands and has a high chance of recovery from brain damage being an intellectual.

I used to admire the former senator when he was a human rights lawyer and fought the the despotic president Marcos. He became a senator after the People Power revolution.

My faith and admiration for him were shattered when he became the lawyer who defended the now convicted, later pardoned, former president Erap-- which is a mockery of justice. He's now planning to fight the writ of execution of the forfeiture of Erap's assets and money in bank due to Erap's conviction. He's also the lawyer of those soldiers who mutinied and took over Makati particularly Oakwood (now Ascott) led by the now firebrand senator Trillanes.

I know this is a difficult time for your family, Atty. Saguisag, but I hope in your slumber, you realize that you're doing a disservice to the Filipino people. You've used your superior intelligence to defend a convicted plunderer, worked on Erap's despicable pardon even if the former president (your president, not mine) didn't admit his guilt and still harbor contempt of the courts.

Regarding the dumptruck driver, it may have been an accident due to his undisciplined ways, but he asked for your forgiveness. I wonder, when you already regained conciousness, will you also grant the driver who killed your wife, injured yourself and your companions, absolute pardon and clemency?

In spite of this, I wish you well, Atty. Saguisag. May you come out of your hospital bed much wiser but please devote your talent and energy in the service of the needy, not of the rich who openly defy authority and flagrant contempt of the courts of justice, but the human rights victims you used to defend.

Pardon for Erap is a Mockery of Justice

I was thinking for few days now of posting my disapproval of the granting of executive clemency for Erap floated around. Today, such pardon was granted to Erap by PGMA and as always I see it as a mockery of justice. We've gone through many years of trial and now he's again a free man? So now I know that any powerful person can commit plunder, not admit guilt even if proven to be guilty and still roam free. Only in the Philippines!

News reports tell PGMA did it for national unity. National unity what? Just because of political pressure and the never-ending sword of damocles in the form of an impeachment did PGMA in? Or maybe PGMA is seeing her own future when the law finally catches up with her. This country will never be united since everybody wants to be the one seated in Malacanang. Politicians will always quarrel among themselves and the cycle of impunity will never end.

Regarding the Department of Justice, I have a still pending motion for approval and a clarification on a case I've been pursuing against an uragon fraudster for almost a year now trapped in a tarpit. This Erap pardon recommendation by the DOJ was submitted in no time at all. Injustice by the sitting president, and by the Department of Justice Delayed, if not Injustice!

This nation is really heading to the dogs.