Commission on filipino overseas (registered)

[sars_notd_virus]

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas.
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?opti...tpage&Itemid=1
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/images/stories/mapmanila.jpg
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue
corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
E-mail: info@cfo.gov.ph

This is how i do it and hope this also helps some future applicants:

1. attend a one-on-one guidance counselling and bring all your
necessary documents (in front of la salle taft manila),you can get your certificate the same day.

* make sure you know some personal details of your husband/fiance
like his mothers maiden name,the month and date he visited the philippines...if your partner is divorced or annuled make sure you are also prepared for answer as they will interrogate you a little.

*bring a picture of you and your husband/fiance.

*photocopy of your documents.

*dont forget to check your first certificate before you leave the office.


2. Wait for the visa to come out and once its out u can visit the PRISM office for registration.

*bring Identification card,pasport,visa,first certificate(guidance counselling),and registration form
*photocopy of all your documents
*dont forget to check your CFO sticker and certificate before you leave the office.

[marlyn&kenny]

very useful to future applicants
when are u leaving mari?

No news yet of our application dear...emma and steeve got theirs... so think they prioritise fiancee visa!

[stevewool]

ui there is this emma and my next step before she can leave the phils

[johncar54]

QUOTE: * make sure you know some personal details of your husband/fiance
like his mothers maiden name,the month and date he visited the philippines...if your partner is divorced or annuled make sure you are also prepared for answer as they will interrogate you a little.
Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose.

It is unfortunate that a system which was (I believe) set up to assist citizens who move abroad, so that they know what to expect, their rights and how they might protect themselves is also a kind of 'punishment' on the applicants. If I were asked in my country many of the questions, which are asked, I would tell them it is none of their business. In many countries to treat citizens in that way would be a violation of their human rights.

[sars_notd_virus]

Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose.

It is unfortunate that a system which was (I believe) set up to assist citizens who move abroad, so that they know what to expect, their rights and how they might protect themselves is also a kind of 'punishment' on the applicants. If I were asked in my country many of the questions, which are asked, I would tell them it is none of their business. In many countries to treat citizens in that way would be a violation of their human rights.

Its legal requirement so i supposed an applicant should supply correct information..
and Its a protection for us filipinos to prevent human trafficking / abuse and not about human rights.

[johncar54]

Its legal requirement so i supposed an applicant should supply correct information..
and Its a protection for us filipinos to prevent human trafficking / abuse and not about human rights.

A legal requirement, I should be grateful if you could quote the actual law which says that. I don't say there is not one but I should like to read it as from what I hear at least some of the interviewers give the impression that they are nasty to interviewees as maybe they are jealous that the person has found a way to travel abroad.

I know the intention of the interview, as I said above, is to explain citizens rights etc when they are abroad but some of the questions , example , what education did your husband receive, until the age of say 16, when the husband has been a senior company executive for many years, does not seen to give any assistance to the applicant.

Another point. My wife went for the interview on the 'Spanish Day' as she was coming to Spain. They told he she would need to attend on the UK day as she was marrying a Brit (albeit that she had no plans to go to UK). When she went to get the exit stamp in her passport they wanted to know why she had done the UK day when she should have done the Spanish one. They were giving her a hard time. Fortunately, I had a copy of an email in which I had questioned with a senior official of CFO re the change of day.

[LEAHnew]

QUOTE: * make sure you know some personal details of your husband/fiance
like his mothers maiden name,the month and date he visited the philippines...if your partner is divorced or annuled make sure you are also prepared for answer as they will interrogate you a little.
Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose.

It is unfortunate that a system which was (I believe) set up to assist citizens who move abroad, so that they know what to expect, their rights and how they might protect themselves is also a kind of 'punishment' on the applicants. If I were asked in my country many of the questions, which are asked, I would tell them it is none of their business. In many countries to treat citizens in that way would be a violation of their human rights.

As a Filipina I won't be acting like that coz it will be more harder they process my concern, whatever they wanted I'll try my best to give them as long as they follow the rule
I believe if I acted politely I can get what I want in return..
and If they are being nasty I'll stay calm and defend my right as a FILIPINO

Its legal requirement so i supposed an applicant should supply correct information..
and Its a protection for us filipinos to prevent human trafficking / abuse and not about human rights.

well said

A legal requirement, I should be grateful if you could quote the actual law which says that. I don't say there is not one but I should like to read it as from what I hear at least some of the interviewers give the impression that they are nasty to interviewees as maybe they are jealous that the person has found a way to travel abroad.
..............
.

I hope it helps
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?opti...=270&Itemid=23

[sars_notd_virus]

A legal requirement, I should be grateful if you could quote the actual law which says that.

Legal Mandate


The work of CFO is guided by the following laws and executive and administrative orders:
Batas Pambansa Bilang 79. An Act Creating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and for Other Purposes (June 16, 1980)
Executive Order No. 728. Retaining The Commission on Filipinos Overseas Under the Office of the President as a Critical Agency, Designating the Members of the Commission and Providing for the Organizational Guidelines of the Secretariat of the Commission (September 12, 1981)
Executive Order No. 938. Establishing the Overseas Offices of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Pursuant to Section 4 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 79 (March 2, 1984)
Executive Order No. 498. Institutionalizing the Presidential Awards For Filipino Individuals And Organizations Overseas (December 19, 1991)
Administrative Order No. 242. Further Reconstituting the Exchange Visitors Program Committee and Redefining its Functions (January 17, 1996)
Executive Order No. 346. Amending Executive Orders No. 728 and 938, Redefining the Organizational Structure, Functional Thrusts and Providing for the Operational Guidelines of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (June 14, 1996)
Executive Order No. 252. Establishing the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, Defining its Composition, Structure, and Functions (May 5, 2000)
Executive Order No. 343. Transferring the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President (August 5, 2004)
Executive Order No. 373. Reorganizing the Composition of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Under the Office of the President (October 18, 2004)
Executive Order No. 457. Designating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas as the Lead Agency for the Commemoration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii (August 23, 2005)
Executive Order No. 550. Creating the Presidential Task Force NCLEX and addressing Concerns Arising from the Possible Conduct of NCLEX in the Philippines (July 31, 2006
Executive Order No. 548. Creating a Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment Under the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (August 1, 2006)
Executive Order 548-A. Creating the Presidential Task Force Against Human Trafficking (February 9, 2007)

you have a lot to read now mr johncar....
and for your info,we need this cfo sticker and registration,so we have to do it right

[cessxy]

Ate Mari Thanks for this Info

@ Marlyn dont worry to much you can get your Visa soon

[LEAHnew]

Good Post Mari

I had already my CFO certificate last year (in requirements for my travel in UK as previously fiancee visa holder), now I am married here in Phil I was told to amend the CFO certificate and pay 400 pesos, coz I need it for amending my passport(gonna expire soon) into my married name.
This information I got from inquiry over the phone talking to the one officer of CFO. So let see if this will happen in real

[RickyR]

johncar, unfortunately we can be just as bad. In trying to renew my B1/B2+C1D visa the states they want to know absolutely everything and interrogate you on it all... Not nice!

[johncar54]

johncar, unfortunately we can be just as bad. In trying to renew my B1/B2+C1D visa the states they want to know absolutely everything and interrogate you on it all... Not nice!

But the point I was making is that the interviewers do not know the answers, so if they ask what school their husband went to they can say Oxford University, even if it was just the local elementary school. They have no way of knowing if the interviewee gave the right answer or not.

[sars_notd_virus]

Its less intrusive than applying for a visa,so do it right people

[mjwoz]

congrats mari and good post

[Arthur Little]

A BIG , Mari ... for posting this extremely useful and important information for the benefit of others about to embark on a new lifestyle in the UK and elsewhere.

[Arthur Little]

And all the very best for your fights on Wednesday 23rd ... have a safe and enjoyable journey.

[sars_notd_virus]

And all the very best for your fights on Wednesday 23rd ... have a safe and enjoyable journey.

Thanks a lot sir art,bless you ...advance happy fathers day to u

[marlyn&kenny]

Happy trip sis!

[sars_notd_virus]

Happy trip sis!

thank u sis hope u get your visa soon

[johncar54]

sars_notd_virus

I have read quite a lot about the functions of CFO and had lengthy exchanges with them, but I do not recall seeing, nor for that matter being told by the senior people I have exchanged mails with, that it was that law.


Thanks for the direct lift from the web page but as you said, 'Its the law that the questions MUST be answered,' please humour me and point to the specific reference, which I assume you were relying on, when you said it.

Thanks

[Notavirusalso]

sars_notd_virus

I have read quite a lot about the functions of CFO and had lengthy exchanges with them, but I do not recall seeing, nor for that matter being told by the senior people I have exchanged mails with, that it was that law.


Thanks for the direct lift from the web page but as you said, 'Its the law that the questions MUST be answered,' please humour me and point to the specific reference, which I assume you were relying on, when you said it.

Thanks

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85378

whats you problem ? stop being so pedantic, Mari is trying to help others, If you have a diffrent opinion on the facts just say so, dont attack her.

[johncar54]

Notavirusalso. Sorry but you seem not to have read the whole thread.

My first post was :-

"Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose."

That was intended to inform interviewees that they did not have to get worried that they may not know every intimate detail of their spouse's life history.

It was this simple remark, intended to be helpful, which was criticised. I accept that I should have just ignored that 'unhelpful comment' on my post

[IainBusby]

"Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you don't know the answer just blag it. Give them a plausible answer (any answer) without too much hesitation and you'll sail through it. Most of the questions they ask have no bearing on anything, if they did then they would know the correct answers before they asked the questions.

[fred]

Notavirusalso. Sorry but you seem not to have read the whole thread.

My first post was :-

"Don't worry too much about knowing the correct answers. The person questioning you does not know the answer either so you can say anything you choose."

That was intended to inform interviewees that they did not have to get worried that they may not know every intimate detail of their spouse's life history.

It was this simple remark, intended to be helpful, which was criticised. I accept that I should have just ignored that 'unhelpful comment' on my post

John..
Dont worry..You are definitely not alone with that opinion. To me the whole thing is a pointless exercise run by those that really couldnt care less about their so called fellow Kababayans.. Like anything here in the P.I,its just another fund raising exercise.


Glad I was never made to jump through those hoops.

[marlyn&kenny]

To me the whole thing is a pointless exercise run by those that really couldnt care less about their so called fellow Kababayans.. Like anything here in the P.I,its just another fund raising exercise.

Exactly what i thought! just another way of getting money!!!!!!!!!!!!

[donnabelvaldeo]

congratulations, mari!

See you soon here in England, hehehe!

[-sillybilly-]

No CFO Certificate, No CFO Sticker...your are not getting your flight mate, no matter how many entry clearance you have.
Its now the law of the Philippine Immigration and we all have to deal with it.

Here are few the questions they will ask you...

When, where and how did you meet your fiance/husband:

If divorce you need to show them the copy..or atleast a copy from the british embassy of your local CNI.

You need to provide details of your fiance/husband like home address, work address, contact numbers. In case something happened thats why they wonna keep a record.

And if he has been in the Philippines. If yes then show some few photos of you together.

Thats all they will ask..no more other questions. They know its not their business to ask further than that. They know their limitations.

[IainBusby]

If divorce you need to show them the copy..or atleast a copy from the british embassy of your local CNI.

If you've already managed to produce all of things required to get a marriage licence at the local courthouse or wherever and actually get married, ie birth certificate, CNI, divorce decree etc, then why the hell do they need you to produce them as well.

Thats all they will ask..no more other questions. They know its not their business to ask further than that. They know their limitations.

Wrong, we have heard from many on this forum who said that they were asked questions such as what is your husband or fiance's mothers maiden name etc etc.

[-sillybilly-]

If you've already managed to produce all of things required to get a marriage licence at the local courthouse or wherever and actually get married, ie birth certificate, CNI, divorce decree etc, then why the hell do they need you to produce them as well.



Wrong, we have heard from many on this forum who said that they were asked questions such as what is your husband or fiance's mothers maiden name etc etc.

O well, Sorry! i just probably forgot to put it on my thread. YES INDEED. They will ask what is your husband's mother's maiden name...and further questions if they have a serious age gap. The reason why they asked is because english names have almost the same names ex: John Hayes. They can only identify whos who and which one's which with their mother's maiden name. You must understand that Philippines are really good in doing such fake documents and applications thats why they are just being tight and strict.

If applicants listened very well to the seminar then they would understand why there were being questioned and be able to explain to their husband properly so husbands wouldnt misunderstand what we have to go through before getting or applying for the visa. Why do we need to provide these details. Its not for them its for us. They just wonna protect and maybe can help you one day. You never know.

It doesnt really matter if they questions such and such. Then prove to the CFO you have a serious and genuine relationship with your fiance/husband.

There has been lots of complains ive heard but still these people went through it. Even myself kept moaning why do i have to do this....but if i dont then they wont let me change my passport's name.
Ive just done it first week of june so i guess nothing has changed with the policy. And all these are based from my experiences.

[IainBusby]

There has been lots of complains ive heard but still these people went through it. Even myself kept moaning why do i have to do this.

I think the thing that bugs most people about it is there seems to be no set framework for the interview part of the CFO seminar. This gives the impression that the women who work there make up the rules themselves about what they expect a wife or fiancee to know about their husband or fiance or what they are expected to know about their husband or fiance's family members and there also seems to be no absolute list of documents etc that the wife or fiancee may be asked to produce.