Expats with bank cases told to avail of amnesty extension

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE OFFERS LEGAL AID TO FILIPINOS LOOKING TO SETTLE LOAN CASES

The Philippine consulate has offered to help Filipinos settle bounced cheques or bank cases so that they can use the extended amnesty this month.

Philippine Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes yesterday said: “We’ve had 10 success stories of our legal retainer helping out our compatriots with bank or cheque cases by negotiating with financial institutions to work out a settlement amount. It makes it easier for the ones in question to resolve their bank cases thereby making them eligible to avail of the UAE amnesty programme.”

He, however, clarified that the Philippine government cannot settle outstanding personal loans, or credit card debt, but only provide legal assistance.

Settling their dues

Illegal residents who want to settle loans may secure money from their loved ones back home or from financial institutions in the Philippines with lenient requirements.

Staying in the UAE without any proper plan as to how they will settle their dues will only compound their problems and overstay fines.

As of November 29, as many as 7,398 Filipinos were granted amnesty in the whole of UAE since it started on August 1. More than a majority or 65 per cent of the amnesty grantees chose to stay by getting the sixmonth jobseeker visa or converting to an employment visa because they already had job offers.

Some 2,732 were repatriated over the past four months. The Philippine government shouldered their exit fees, lifting of absconding fees, air ticket and cash assistance of $100 (Dh367).

Cortes said very few illegal Filipinos took up the amnesty in November. He hopes those who need it would take advantage of the extension this time.