One life, nine passport checks

Since we launched our Spy Bits column, we have received hundreds of email info from many of our readers. So today we will accommodate some of the relevant items like this one from fellow Manila Rotary member Archit Bartolome, past president of the Management Association of the Philippines and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines. Archit who last week flew to Guam told us about his experience on what could have been just a routine trip that turned into an exasperating, unnecessary and tedious process. According to Archit, for security reasons it’s understandable for airport blue guards to ask for people’s passports before they are allowed to enter the premises at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but it’s simply ridiculous and just too much when you have to do it nine times before boarding your flight. 

As Archit recounted, he had to show his passport at the check-in counter for his flight booking, had to do the same again when he paid for the airport tax, then was accosted by a blue uniformed security guard asking for his passport and boarding pass before he was allowed to go to the Immigration Counter – where his passport was again scrutinized and his boarding pass inspected. Just before Archit could load his hand carry, his belt, his shoes and all other objects for the X-ray security check, another blue guard demanded to look at his passport one more time. 

At the boarding gate, an airline personnel and a security person demanded for his passport and boarding pass after which they proceeded to inspect his hand carry, after which another set of personnel asked for the same documents again as Archit removed his shoes again for another inspection. Before he could board the plane, he had to show his boarding pass and passport once more before he was finally able to keep them in his bag. Annoying? Many travelers both local and foreign simply think “it’s stupid and insane!” Somebody at the airport ought to put some sense into all of these. 

Domestic helpers helping themselves  

Energy saver expert and expat Bill Smith lost more than P300,000 in cash, jewelry, laptop and other items reportedly stolen by a domestic helper whom he hired through a local agency, LRM Manpower Services owned by a certain Lourdes Marinas. According to Bill, the agency provided a certification stating that the maid’s references and background had been thoroughly checked with papers like NBI clearance, barangay certificate etc. which all turned out to be fake. After a short five-day trip, Bill and his wife came back to find their bedroom totally ransacked with the jewelry box pried open and cash and other items missing and of course, together with the domestic helper. Apparently, the agency had no license to operate at all with the Smiths already being the third victim by the same domestic helper, Maria P. Cabato. Bill Smith has already warned many of his expat friends but wants more people to know about the growing number of agencies and their “modus operandi” particularly victimizing foreign nationals.

 Spy tidbits 

– Banana heir Antonio “Tony Boy” Floirendo went to Hong Kong the other day with his new partner in life “Marge,” who has exactly the same nickname as his ex-wife, 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran. The former Davao del Norte congressman was in Hong Kong on a business trip to arrange for the purchase of a brand new, French made Ecureuil helicopter to be used by the family corporation Anflocor and the 92-hectare plantation in Barangay Tambongon in Compostela Valley mainly planted to Cavendish bananas. The former playboy (now a very much settled banana heir) is also overseeing the construction of a mall in Davao, a condominium project in Quezon City and is looking at plans to expand the Tadeco port in Panabo City. With so many things going on, Tony Boy says he’s happy just the way he is… for now.

– Senator Loren Legarda hosted a cocktail reception at her Forbes Park home for her friend, New York-based dealmaker Joanne de Asis Benitez and some of her big time New York investors and clients. Joanne tells us many of her investors have a renewed and strong interest in the Philippines especially with the new administration’s program of “change.”

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