Stupid Laws
This is what I dislike about the law. Only a few people commit crimes but the laws that are later designed to stop these crimes will punish the majority of the population.
Recently, I asked a friend to buy a gadget for me in Hong Kong. We agreed that I could pay her through a bank, by telegraphic transfer. The bank scrutinized what I was buying. I was asked to present a Bill of Lading -- something that is required of importers -- and an invoice or a receipt. I went all the way back home to get my receipt.
Since my friend bought the gadget using her credit card, the receipt was made to her name. I presented this receipt to the bank but they said that Bangko Sentral (our Central Bank) was questioning why the receipt was not under my name. I explained that, because nga my friend bought it for me through her card, the shop wrote her name on the receipt.
I told the teller that a few weeks before this, I was able to transfer money without annoyances. The bank teller advised me that Bangko Sentral was strict on this particular bank because it had lots of dollar transactions, particularly those that involved amounts above $1,000.
It was frustrating to me because I had to exert all this effort and it got me nowhere. I told the bank teller that had I wanted to launder money, I would definitely not use my bank to do it. After all, they have my address, my phone number and my other personal details! Criminals aren't stupid!
So much for government providing the right atmosphere to foster productivity.
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"The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic." -- GK Chesterton.
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the law, like any other texts
the law, like any other texts, is subject to interpretation. if the person implementing the law misconstrued the text then the execution will also be flawed. in your case, the teller/bank rep might be misinformed that clients should present receipts or invoices under their name when "importing" goods. if you elevated your concern to the bank manager s/he might just 1) concur with the teller or 2) have a different interpretation of the BSP ruling. for all you know, both of them don't understand the rule and they’ll just stand their ground by arguing that they are "just following rules."
that’s one side of the coin.
what if the text is the source of all evil?
good thing the law can always be amended and revised. but until that time comes, we have to wait and deal with it. don't worry too much about it. what are our friendly compañeros for if not to help us think of creative and outrageous ways to get ourselves around the law?
update for lilac
Hi Lilac,
I did talk to the manager and she explained that central bank is singling out this particular bank and she apologized for the inconvenience. With this info in mind, I went to another bank. They transferred the money without a fuss. ;-)