Pat

Not to worry.  Never guilty of any of the items you mentioned.

After all, the law is the law.

What this teaches me is to be prepared when I go to an "upscale gringo" restaurant especially here in Boquete. I'll have a copy of the law (thanks to Panama Bill for this information), a camera, voice recording machine, and my guest will be my attorney.

Should be interesting. The law is the law.

If restaurant owners don't allow Jubilado discount, then what? Sounds like ACODECO is not effective in resolving this problem (slow to investigate a denuncia,   settles for poor excuses from restaurant owners, etc.)

I suspect as more people gain residency there will be more denuncias filed against restaurant owners.

Maybe the primitive punishment used by the indigenous is a solution?

1 hour ago, Roger B said:

I think Spain will be good for you.   A nice place to be.  It is in Europe.  A lot of history there.  Every place you set your foot has a recorded history way back to more than 2000 years.

Panama has a lot of retirees and will welcome all of them.  The only thing they have to do is comply with all the requisites, regulations and laws and thats it.  Easy.  I am so sure that more than 75% of the Expats in Boquete are legal and did all the stuff they have to do to live here peacefully and quietly.   Is that to much to ask??  Is that very difficult to understand??  Panama will be accepting expats for many years and will welcome all of them but legally.

Agree 100% with you. Roger B.

So what does this have to do with Panama?

Why is this posted here?

So now it's on to Malaysia for you.

Maybe this is the right place for you.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone used the same attorney and everyone received the same information.

The past is the past and the situation is different now. I don't believe immigration is on a manhunt. The information was available several weeks ago that border hopping was not going to be tolerated or allowed. Glad you have a ecedula, keep it handy and no problem for you at the check-points because you have followed the law.

1 hour ago, Bonnie said:

They now are checking every vehicle at the checkpoint east of Paso Canoas, I have heard from people who have been there within the last few days. Please do not be advising folks otherwise. That is a major checkpoint for immigration status, and logic itself would dictate that this checkpoint would be used with the new requirements.

Pat is right. The current situation is very real. Those who are taking it lightly will not receive the same sympathy the Walkers have received when they become stuck outside the country. IMHO  those folks claiming not to be able to afford residency should redirect the money they are expending on travel, dining out, etc. to get legal.

As the US Warden here in Boquete your words carry authority, Bonnie. People should pay attention and stop hoping the Panamian law can/will be ignored so they can continue their permanent tourist status while living here in Panama.

This enforcement has been publicized for many weeks and seems to becoming more strict in more locations. Border hoppers beware.

1 hour ago, MarieElaine said:

Legal status is expensive for some of us so the tourist situation was ideal.  I believe the check points set up around Chiriqui were for the crime wave we had a year or so ago.  That was the intended purpose and, as far as I know they have been somewhat successful in keeping the break ins down.  

I take the bus to David and Paso Canoas and they never stop us.

Sorry legal status is expensive for you. The process of using a hole in the immigration system and attempting to be a permanent tourist in Panama may be a thing of the past.

I've found Panamanians are mostly friendly and patiently kind, but they have a right to decide who can live in their country either as a visiting short time tourist or as a legal resident.

IMO. The current situation is very real.

I believe the best idea is to have legal status while here in Panama.

I don't believe the law has changed. Panama has a right to decide who can live here and only want people who have sufficient funds and can pass a criminal background check. Border hoppers have just been using a "hole" in the Panamanian law and trying to be a permanent tourist.

As Roger stated, this change was not abrupt. "Those who follow the local news, forums, etc. have known for quite a while that Panama was about to tighten up the border hopping loophole". Why should the rules relax? Customs not checking status at airports? Maybe not today, but how about tomorrow or next week.

Just follow the Panamanian law.

Perhaps the real problem is (1) incompetent and dishonest lawyers and (2) time involved for resident status.

Thanks for this data, Bonnie. In my opinion this immigration law that is now being enforced will rid Panama of many of the people who came here without the financial resources to provide for themselves and/or who could not pass the required criminal history check. Others may decide to follow the law and meet the Panamanian requirements for remaining in this country, their choice.

This law is a good thing.

On 3/8/2017 at 3:32 PM, Roger B said:

Jim and Judy

The border hoping is not "illegal".  It is a "hole" in the law.   Again.  Remember that one thing is a tourist and another thing is a Resident or immigrant.   For a normal tourist 90 - 180 days is enough time to be a TOURIST in a country.  But living in a country is another subject.  You are not a tourist anymore.  You are a resident or immigrant.  Them there are laws and regulations for immigrants.   I think that it is a fault that the legislators did when they create and wrote the law.  They left some things not covered and subject to interpretation.  But what it is clear is the definition that some people seem to forget about what is a TOURIST and what is a RESIDENT or IMMIGRANT.   They are not the same.  They dont mean the same thing.   There is a huge difference in those individuals according to the law.

Sounds like some people thought they could remain a tourist and just continue a border hopping process forever. Really??

Bonnie:   Stop your name calling behavior.

My comment to Joyful was a request to ask Claudia to follow the law for pensionado discounts or face a ACODECO complaint.

3 hours ago, Joyful said:

This morning, my husband and I and a group of friends went to the brunch at Claudia's. It was amazing! I believe someone posted on this website that $35 was too much....no it wasn't!! The food was so plentiful, fresh produce and home cooked. For example...there were at least 4 types of bread, home cured salmon, home made pate, about 4 kinds of cheese, cold meats, chicken, pork, meat loaf, pasta, rice salad, potatoes au gratin...then, there was fresh strawberries, various fresh fruits, home made cheesecake, 3 other kinds of gateaux, and home made chocolate mousse and strawberry mousse to die for...and a glass of champagne! The new restaurant building is coming along nicely and all in all, Claudia's brunch's and dinner's will be events worth attending.

 

 

Glad you enjoyed this brunch. Also glad you can afford $35.00 each for this one meal.

If you are a friend of Claudia please ask her to lower her price and follow the law regarding pensionado discount requirements.

9 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

Too bad there are no more rails to ride the guy out of town on. You could probably find some tar and feathers though.

Good idea. With all the information provided by Siempre Soluciones, this gringo sounds like a selfish person who is not following the law requirements.

I followed the rules (background checks, paid for legal assistance, etc.) to gain my ecedula and be eligible for the Jubilado discount. Let him do the same or stop demanding this privilege.

Do you know where tar and feathers are available?

21 minutes ago, Siempre Soluciones said:

 

Yes, and this pendejo even only pays jubilado rates on taxis and buses screwing them over too.

 

Get this pendejo person out of town now.  Causes trouble for the rest of us.

14 hours ago, TwoSailors said:

Don't go to them, and tell all your friends!! They will either get the message or go out of business. That brunch price of $35 is sure pushing the envelope!! Shame on them!!

We refuse to eat at a restaurant who won't allow julibado discount. Why? These places are not following the law and we want no association with them. Also, we never ask for this discount at the smaller eateries who are plentiful around town.

P.S. I agree with Two Sailors: Avoid a $35 brunch with no julibado discount allowed.

25 minutes ago, Siempre Soluciones said:

One of the problems that plagues restaurant owners are the people on tourists visas claiming the jubilado discount.  I'm surprised that restaurants don't request proof.  Think of all that lost revenue.  In fact there's one expat in Boquete on a tourist visa that can't obtain permanent residency but demands the julibado discount everywhere including low cost eateries.  They proclaim that restaurant owners are greedy, capitalistic scumbags that shouldn't earn a profit on food.

 Perhaps all Boquete restaurants could be given notice plus picture of this individual who is here on a tourist visa and demanding the julibado discount. This person's actions are illegal. 

Thanks. Helpful information.

2 hours ago, JohnF13 said:

Pat,

Keith is probably a lot more "peopl-ey" than I am ( not that that says anything about his choice of hockey teams)   If you can get past my electric fence and the alarm system ( both on back- ups) there is always the "Secondhand lion" sitting on the front deck.  

JohnF13:   Interested in the electric fence idea. What is the cost of insurance for this?

Hey JohnF13 and Keith:  reckon my self-reliance is below par, so I'd like to come visit you every time my electrical power is out. OK?  Anyone else want to "come on down" and visit with Keith and John?

I wonder if the police ever monitor these yellow cars checking tire tread, working brakes, etc. and does the taxi driver have a valid driver's license. Seems to me many taxi drivers have a death wish based on how they drive IMO.

Does this mean police officers spend too much time talking on their phones?