Vol.3 No.2 March 1, 2006

Mariner’s Home Dedicated
By Bayani A. Jaboli
JSU International
Service Staff

On Jan. 23, 2006, the JSUAMOSUP Mariners’ Homein Manila, the Philippines
was officially dedicated.
The event started with aribbon cutting ceremony led
by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who
was joined by JSU president
Capt. Sakae Idemoto; AMOSUP president, Capt. Gregorio Oca; DOLE Secretary,
Patricia Sto. Tomas, andManila Mayor Lito Atienza.
After the ribbon cutting,President Arroyo unveiled amemorial marker and later
toured the building to see forherself the first-class facilities awaiting seafarers.
In a speech delivered laterthat day, Capt. Idemoto said
that the home would serve
as “a symbol of the strong
friendship between thePhilippines and Japan.”
Mayor Atienza commended the people behind the
project, and affirmed his full
support to the maritime
industry, describing Filipino
seafarers as the “pillars of
the country’s economic march to progress.”

From left: Mayor Atienza, Secretary Sto. Tomas, President
Macapagal-Arroyo, Capt. Idemoto and Capt. Oca.
Japanese Ambassador
Ryuichiro Yamazaki hailed
the Mariners’ Home as an“ideal stop-over” for Filipino
and Japanese seafarers.
Secretary Sto. Tomas said
that Filipino seafarers deserved a world-class hotel.
About 300 Japanese andFilipino shipping and manning executives, officials
from government maritime
agencies and Filipino seafarers attended the inauguration ceremony.
Television host Paulo
Bediones acted as master of
ceremonies. Blessing of the

Welcome to JSU-AMOSUP Mariner’s Home!

rooms and other facilities
followed the reception.
A great number of Filipino
seafarers have been on
board the Japanese fleet andcontributed to the development of the Japanese maritime industry. The Mariners’ Home was established to
pay tribute to these highly
skilled, competent, capable,
disciplined, loyal and worldclass Filipino seafarers.
This is a joint project by
the All Japan Seamen’s
Union (JSU) and the Associated Marine Officers’ andSeamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP).
The JSU-AMOSUP Mariners’ Home, located at 1765
Dr. A. Vasquez St., cor. Julio
Nakpil St., Malate, Manila,
is a modern structure
exhibiting basic elements oftraditional Japanese culture, while providing secure,decent and comfortable accommodation to Filipino seafarers in transit.
It is hoped that in theyears to come, Filipino seafarers will look upon thishome as an oasis and as abridge for cultural interchange between Japan and
the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Union Dues and the Special Member
Q1: Are JSU Union Duesof $40/month refunded tomembers when the special
member retires or leaves theunion?
A1: No. The monthly
union dues, paid by every
JSU special member onboard JSU member vessels,
is not in any way refundable. It was explained in Vol.

2 No. 4 of the JSU Maritime
Journal that the JSU collects union dues from all ofyou, and that these dues areused to cover expenses related to the effective undertaking of various activities,
including the following: 1)
negotiations to conclude
labor agreements; 2) resolution of complaints or othertrouble with employers overobservance of a contract oragreement; 3) provision ofInternational Service Staff
for special members at main
ports in Japan; 4) provisionof welfare services andmutual aid activities; 5) protection of seafarers who are
working without basic rights
and/or in substandard condi-

I
N
S
I
D
E

Tour
the New
Mariner’s
Home
Page 3

New Oasis in Manila
For World’s Seafarers
Following is the gist of All
Japan Seamen’s Union(JSU) president Capt. Sakae
Idemoto’s speech at the ceremony marking the openingof the JSU-AMOSUP Mariner’s Home. It has been edited for space and clarity:
Japaneseshipowners
employ more than 20,000
Filipino seafarers onboard
their vessels, seafarers who
have made a significant contribution to the developmentof Japan’s maritime industry.
The number of Filipino
seamen staying in Manila
for the purpose of disembarking or processing
deployment documents is on
the increase.
Two years ago, we received
a request from concerned
members of the Philippine
maritime sector to constructaccommodation for seafarers.
The union, in consideration of its decade-long pratice of undertaking various
measures to improve thewelfare of Filipino seafarers– the starting point for all
JSU projects and activities –saw us come to an agreement that resulted in creation of a construction committee for this particular
project. Under the spirit ofcooperation cultivated by
AMOSUP president Capt.
Oca’s chairmanship, we cansee today proof of the goodwill and solidarity between
Japanese and Filipino seafarers.
It is my undying wish that
this Mariners’ Home, beinga place for peace and relaxation for Filipino seafarers
and a bridge of cultural
exchange, be utilized effectively for the longest possi-

tions; and 6) promotion ofinternational solidarity,
mainly with the ITF.
These are just some of theactivities made possible byyour union dues.
According to JSU regulations, a seafarer who is of anationality other than Japanese and does not reside inJapan is obliged to register
as a JSU Non-Domicile Special Member if that seafarer
works onboard a Japaneseowned FOC or Japanese-flag
vessel. This is also stated inevery agreement concluded
between the JSU and theCapt. Idemoto speaking at
the opening ceremony.

ble time and become a wellloved oasis for Filipino seafarers. In order that thisestablishment be acknowledged by a large number ofpeople as an effective means
for bringing together Japanese and Filipino seafarers,
we depend on all of you present here today to earnestly
patronize this place.
To all the members of theInternational Mariners
Management Association ofJapan, Phil-Japan Manning
Consultative Council, Inc.,
all the Philippine government officials who have supported us from pre-costruction to completion, to thepresident of AMOSUP Greg
Oca, the president of El Mar
Fuente Construction Company and to many other people, I would like to thankyou from the bottom of myheart and hoping for more
understanding and support
from hereon.
On behalf of the All Japan
Seamen’s Union, I’d like tothank you for allowing me torender these remarks.
Maraming Salamat Po.

principal who hires that special member.
A seafarer who does notregister with the JSU cannot work onboard a Japanese-owned vessel.
This system is based on
the ITF’s basic but very
important principle for dealing with FOC vessels: Thathiring priority be given tounions within the shipowner’s country of residence.
Q2: Are cadets (deck andengine) and FMAs (fitter
maintenance attendants)
considered union members?
(Continued on Page 4)

AC T I V I T I E S /N E W S(2)MARCH/APRIL 2006

Confirming Eligibility for JSU CA Retirement Pay Plan
By Yuki Okada
International Affairs& Seafarers’ Section

Q: I have been serving on board a vessel covered by a JSU
agreement. Am I able to receive retirement pay from the
JSU CA Retirement Pay Plan?
A: The JSU CA Retirement Pay Plan (RPP) is a system for
seafarers who serve on vessels covered by the IBF JSUIMMAJ CA, IBF JSU/PSU-IMMAJ CA, ITF JSU-CA andITF JSU/PSU CA.
Please note that the JSU has many different types of vessel agreement. Therefore, if you are on board a vessel covered by an agreement other than those noted above, you are
not considered a JSU CA RPP member, and you are not able
to receive any benefits from the JSU CA Retirement Pay
Plan.
If you are not sure where you stand, send us a message
together with the records of your service. Our address is: 15- 26, 7-Chome, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. E-mailis: <yokada@jsu.jp>. We will check your records and informyou if you are a RPP member or not.

Good News, Bad
News for Filipinos
At least 35,000 Filipino marine officers are needed within
the next five to 10 years, Manila’s Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) has announced.
The deployment of Filipino seafarers is growing at anannual rate of 10 percent, according to the DOLE. The
department said foreign employers usually prefer Filipino
seafarers because of their ability to speak the English language well.
Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) regional director
Glenn Cabañez said international shipping firms employ
Filipinos because of their competence and skills.
The Philippines remains the manning capital of the world,
exporting more qualified seafarers than any other nation,
Cabañez said.
Seafarers rank fourth on the list of Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs).

Oz to Use
Electronic
Visa System
Australia will introduce anelectronic visa system forforeign seafarers from July
1, 2007.
The move means Australia
will join the United States in
imposing this far-higher
level of security on visiting
crewmembers wishing tostep onto its soil.
While it supports the government’s anti-terrorism
objectives, Shipping Australia Ltd. (SAL), which represents overseas shipping
companies, remains wary
about the implications of the
new regime.
“Unless a clear risk is
identified, not allowing
shore leave for certain categories of seafarer who do nothave visas could cause problems,” Shipping Australia
said.
“After a long sea voyage,
seafarers often look forward
to shore leave, even for onlya brief respite, and prohibition could even affect thesafety of the ongoing operation of the vessel.”
Shipping Australia, which
had been consulted about
the visa move, pointed outthat any one of the world’s
1.2 million seafarers could
call at Australian ports, butthat the uncertain sailing
pattern of tramp or bulk vessels would make this shipping route an unlikely vector
for terrorists.
Exactly how long a seafarer's visa application takes toprocess could pose a problem.
However, shipping companies are more likely to beconcerned by the potential
cost of the new visa system.
Shipping Australia chief
executive Llew Russell said:“We think [the decision] is afairly brave one for Australia, internationally, to go
out so far in front. We will
now go along with it. There’s
nothing much else we cando, to be quite honest.
“We are confident they did
take our comments into
account,” Russell said (Lloyd’s
Register/Fairplay)

IBF JSU-IMMAJ CAIBF JSU/PSU-IMMAJ CA
ITF JSU CAITF JSU/PSU CA

IBF JSU-IMMAJ/AMOSUP CBAITF JSU/AMOSUP CBA

JSU MARUSHIP Agreement(Japanese-flag vessels)➟

You are a member of
JSU CA Retirement Pay Plan➟

You are a member of the“JSU AMOSUP Provident Fund”(Not JSU CA RPP)
Contact AMOSUP for information.

➟$50 is already included and given to
you in your monthly wages during youremployment on board the vessel.

However, with the advent of technology and stiff competition from Asian neighbors, the demand for Filipino seafarers might drop, the International Labor Organization (ILO)
warned in early February.
According to the ILO, the current shipbuilding boom has
created strong demand for officers worldwide but the trend
toward automated vessels with smaller crews has reduced
the need for ratings.
A December report by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) estimated a worldwide shortage of
10,000 qualified officers and a surplus of 135,000 ratings.
Filipino ratings are also facing competition from Asianneighbors such as China, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
The ILO said the benchmark monthly wage for Filipino
ratings is US$1,400, while seamen from other Asian countries are accepting jobs for as low as $500-$700 per month.
Some shipowners also are increasingly imposing age
restrictions on seafarers; this age ceiling can be as low as
40, the ILO said.
But the ILO quoted shipping industry and labor executives as saying many shipowners still prefer Filipino crewmen because they speak English, are Western-oriented, and“flexible and have a caring attitude.”‘Kariba’ Capt.
Blamed for‘Tricolor’ Loss
A U.S. District Court
judge is holding the owner ofcontainership Kariba, Otal
Investments, liable for thecollision and sinking of Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carrier Tricolor in December
2002.
Otal Investments argued
that Tricolor was too close to
Kariba on a parallel course

Masters Must
Mind Hours
A maritime expert hasemphasized the importanceof masters monitoring, regulating, and recording thedetails of their work hours.
According to ISM Codeexpert Phil Anderson, themisconception that masters
are exempt from the hours
of rest rules is widespreadand has encountered a num-in the fog-bound English
Channel when attempting topass and that its captainshould have reacted more
quickly to the Kariba captain’s starboard turn to
avoid collision with anothervessel, the bulker Clary.
Judge Harold Baer stressed that the Tricolor sinking
was solely the fault of Kariba’s captain, whose navigating decisions “defied logic”
and who could have avoided
the collision by simply cutting his speed instead ofmaking two starboard turns.
(Source: Fairplay Daily News)ber of examples in recent
months.
Anderson warns that in
the event of a serious incident, it is quite likely thatthe master’s hours ofwork/hours of rest will be
scrutinized very closely.
If records prove to be inaccurate, or if the master isfound to have worked unlimited hours without adequate
rest, then this could havedevastating effects the master and the ship operator.
(Source: MaritimeGlobal.net)

International
Labor MeetTakes Up
Maritime
IssuesThe 94th Maritime Session of the International
Labor Conference washeld in Geneva, Switzerland in February.
A special session devoted to the maritime sector took place during thelabor conference.
The Maritime Labor
Conference, which only
meets once every 10
years, discussed a new
maritime convention that
consolidates internationallaw on the working conditions of the world’s seafarers.
The new convention is
also designed to consolidate most of the morethan 65 ILO maritime
labor conventions and recommendations currently
in force to set conditions
for decent work in theincreasingly globalized
maritime sector.
It sets out rights todecent conditions of workfor the world’s 1.2 million
seafarers and covers awide range of subjects,
including health, safety,
minimumage,
recruitment, hours of work,and other vital issues affecting a seafarer’s life.
The convention has
been designed to become a
global instrument known
as the “fourth pillar” of
the international regulatory regime for quality
shipping, complementing
the three key conventionsof the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
(Source: ILO)

MARCH/APRIL 2006

S E A FARERS C O R N E R

Don’t Fall Victim
To Ambulance
Chasers’ Lies

(3)

Seafarers’ Home Away From Home
On behalf of my crewmates, we would like toexpress our deepest gratitude to the JSU for proproviding us a decent place to stay while in Manila.
As a seafarer who lives outside Manila, a place
to stay is very important for me when my manmanning agency asks me to report for training andto sign a contract for embarkation.
Noel A. Borjal, Chief Officer, Cagayan De Oro
City

Life as a seafarer is hard enough – those who have been
injured do not need the additional aggravation of being pursued by shady characters after their money.

By Vincent P. Higoy
JSU International Service Staff

On Mar. 22, 2005, I visited
one of our member vessels to
explain the JSU’s activities
and welfare services to special members.
After the discussion, which
was held during lunch
break, the chief cook took
me aside and asked me
about the P&I club disability
claim procedure and what is
stipulated in our agreement.
I explained to him thatbased on the JSU collective
bargaining agreement, amember is entitled to receive
disability compensation,
based on a doctor’s declaration concerning the victim’s
disability grade, from the
P&I club.
He reported that a groupof former seafarers andlawyers in the Philippines –a group he declined to identify – are trying to organize
seafarers who have been thevictim of onboard accidents
with the intention of having
them to file disability claims
against shipowners andunions at the National
Labor Relations Commission(NLRC).
According to the chief, he
met with an accident while
onboard a tanker, the resultof which left him with a broken index finger.
The tanker was mannedby a mixed crew.
As compensation for the
injury, the doctor declared a
7 percent disability grade,entitling the chief to receive
US$10,000 (as per the JSU
CBA).
Before he boarded his next
vessel, which had beenarranged through the samemanning agent, he was approached by one of the members of the group and urged
to file a disability claim
amounting to $1.4 million
against the JSU. The chiefhas been a JSU member fora long time, every monthpaying his union dues, andthe group member said hedeserved something back.
Due to the big money
involved and the fact that all
expenses would be paid by
the group, he was easily persuaded and immediately
went to the NLRC to file thecomplaint.
Later, the Philippine manning agent received a subpoena from the court. Upon
learning about the case, themanning agent called thechief and told him to drop
the case since he hadalready been paid as per
JSU CBA rules and regulations and he was about totake up his next vessel
assignment.
He went to the court anhour before his hearing todrop the case against the
JSU and the manning agent.
The chief asked me if he
had made the right decisionbecause it involved giving up
the opportunity to “earn” alot of money. I explained tohim that the decision to drop
the case was the correct one.
I also urged him to takeextra precautions the nexttime he is approached by an“ambulance chaser.”The JSU must follow whatis stipulated in the collective
bargaining agreement; anyclaim that is outside theagreement, the JSU is notable to support.

I am very happy to know that the JSU has
finally launched its JSU-AMOSUP Mariner’sHome. This hotel will help us a lot, especiallythose seafarers who don’t have any relatives livliving in Manila.
The inexpensive hotel room and free breakfast
will help seafarers stretch their already tightbudgets, especially those who have been on
standby waiting for a vessel assignment.
Alberto Nizo, Fitter, San Jose Antique

For me, providing this welfare benefit is a goodidea especially for those seafarers living in faraway provinces. The price is very cheap com pared to boarding houses and transient hotels
you find within metropolitan Manila.
I hope that the JSU will continue to pursue
more welfare benefits for its foreign members.
Rafael M. Laguerta, Messman, General Santos
CityI N F O R M AT I O N /AM U S E M E N T(4)LETTER
from
HEADQUARTERS
The All Japan Seamen’s
Union (JSU) has two typesof international labor agreement covering Non-Domicile
Special Members working
for Japanese shipping lines
onboard Flag of Convenience(FOC) vessels.
We discussed the International Bargaining Forum(IBF) agreement in a previous issue of JSU Maritime
Journal. It covers the majority of Non-Domicile Special
Members, who work onboard
ships belonging to companies
that are approved membersof the Joint Negotiation
Group (JNG).
The other type of agreement is the Non-IBF agreement. It covers Non-Domicile
Special Members who onboard FOC vessels for shipping companies that do notbelong to the IBF.
The JSU can revise thisagreement by applying ITF
policies that will improve
working conditions for seafarers of all nationalities
and ensure adequate regulation of the shipping industry
to protect seafarer interests
and rights.
Last November, the JSU
decided to revise the following articles of the Non-IBF
agreement; changes are effective as of January 1.
Partial revision: Rest periods, manning, termination of
employment, misconduct,
disability, loss of life/deathin service, food, accommodation, bedding, amenities andcommunication, total crew
cost (TCC), vacation leave,and compensation payment.
The JSU also has decided
to revise the labor agreement
covering Non-Domicile Special Member working onboard Japanese-flag ships.
Effective from Jan. 1,
2007, the following changes
will apply (according to the
new TCC based on the ILO
meeting of February 2006):• Vacation leave extended
to 8 days;• Compensation payment
increased by 10 percent; and• Free e-mail service.
We will continue to work to
help protect your rights andprovide welfare services thatmeet International labor
standards.
All Japan
Seamen’s Union
15-26, Roppongi 7-Chome,
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel.: 03-5410-8320
Fax: 03-5410-8336
E-Mail: iss@jsu.jp
Internet: http://www.jsu.or.jp
Publisher: Masaru Mio
Send inquiries to the attentionof Mr. Masanobu Makizoe,
Director, Foreign Trades Dept.

Group History
In 1995, on the last Fridayof the month, a group of Filipino executives working invarious Japanese shipping
companies would meet in
Ginza, Tokyo, at St. Tropez– a typical cafe/bar with soft
lighting and music. Thisambiance was just right,
allowing group members to
relax and share some stories
or jokes after a hard day ofwork in the fast pace city ofTokyo. One thing good about
this place is that it had a
Filipino bartender who
assisted members who were
struggling with the Japanese language.
During these meetings,
experiences at work wereshared. This helped torelieve stress and anxiety
encountered daily in themaritime industry. Moreover, information and opinions were aired, a processthat helped group memberswith their daily decisionmaking. One of the most frequently discussed issues
during these gatherings was
how to improve the quality
and welfare of Filipino seafarers.
As months went by, word
traveled through friends andacquaintances. Little by little, the group began toincrease in number. In time,a decision was made that aformal organization shouldbe created in order toaddress the issues affecting
seafarers.
At first, a few members
were worried about proceeding with the idea since theyfeared that it might lead toconflicts of interest given
their positions in the industry.
However, the majority
rose above these fears, arguing that having such anorganization provided moreadvantages than disadvantages.
Furthermore, members
would have the opportunity
not only to interact sociallybut also to have an organized body dedicated to serving the maritime industry.
Thus was born the conceptof the Filipino Maritime
Network in Japan (FMN).
As the existence of thegroup spread, the Labor
Attache of the Philippine
Embassy encouraged thegroup to pursue the idea of
forming a network. Thus, on
Apr. 19, 1996, the first meeting of the group with theLabor Attache was held at
the Philippine Embassy. It
was a night to be remembered as the members ventured forth in preparing themechanics for the organization with the assistance ofAtty. Rey Regalado.
On July 26, 1996, aftermonths of deliberation, thecharter officers were elected
and committees were created that would oversee andexecute the objectives of theorganization. The next step
was to lay down the foundation and set the necessary
steps in order to function
properly.
On Oct. 29, 1996, the officers were inducted at theTokyo Otani Hotel by thenHon. Leonardo A. Quisumbing, Philippine Secretary ofLabor and Employment. The
event was witnessed by
Japanese shipping executives and a delegation of Filipino ship management representatives from the Philippine Shipping Mission to
Japan.

any JSU member before
boarding his vessel of assignment is consider by theunion to be null and void.
As stated in JSU’s agreements, the company undertakes not to demand orrequest that seafarers sign
documents where, by way ofwaiver or assignment or otherwise, the seafarer agrees
or promises to accept variations to the terms of the JSU
agreement. The company
agrees that any such documents already in existence
shall be null and void and of
no legal effect.
Sick Pay: When a seafarer
is landed at a port becauseof sickness or injury, payment of their basic wages
shall continue until they
have been repatriated at thecompany’s expense. Thereafter the seafarer shall beentitled to sick pay at therate equivalent to his basic

wage while he remains sick,from a minimum of 60 days
up to a maximum of 130
days.
However, in the event ofincapacity due to an accident, basic wages shall be
paid until the injured seafarer has been cured or until a
medical determination ismade in accordance concerning permanent disability.
Disability: A seafarer who
suffers permanent disability
as a result of an accident
while in the employment of
the company regardless offault, including accidents
occurring while traveling toor from the ship, and whose
ability to work as a seafarer
is reduced as a result thereof, but excluding permanent
disability due to willful acts,
shall in addition to sick pay,
be entitled to compensationaccording to the provisionsof the JSU agreement.

Filipino Maritime
Network Japan:
The Helping Hand
By Capt. Francis Medina,
Solar Japan Co., Ltd.
Chairman, Filipino Maritime
Network Japan (FMN)Group Profile
Eastablished in April
1996, Filipino Maritime Network Japan (FMN) comprises Filipinos involved in themaritime industry and whoare currently living andworking in Japan.
There are about 20,000
Filipinos working as seamen
aboard Japanese-owned vessels. FMN provides a network wherein these seafarers can link-up with theirland-based counterparts
both in Japan and thePhilippines.
Likewise, through FMN,
Filipinos in the different
maritime agencies exchange
information and give assistance and support to eachother, especially when someparticular need arises.
FMN was also organized
in order to promote the welfare and upgrade the qualityof Filipino seafarers. In particular, three objectives were
formulated by the founding
individuals:
1. FMN is to assist in
improving education andtraining of the Filipino seafarer;
2. FMN is to promote andmaintain understanding,goodwill, camaraderie, andharmony among seafarers
and other members of themaritime industry;
3. FMN is to assist in
ensuring the implementation of welfare programs.

FAQs–(Continued From Page 1)

and therefore should be
deducted by monthly uniondues?
A2: Cadets (deck andengine) and FMAs (fitter
maintenance attendants)
are consider as not regularcrew on board, which is why
a monthly union dues is notdeducted on their monthly
wage rate.
Q3: I was asked by mymanning agent to sign awaiver which stated that incase something happened tome onboard – e.g. accident –that is not job related, nocompensation for sickpay/disability would be offered tome by my company. Is thislegal under existing JSU
agreements?
A3: Any waiver signed by

MARCH/APRIL 2006

Applying for
Retirement Pay
By Yuki Okada
Senior Clerical Staff,
International Affairs &Seafarers’ Section

An RPP member canreceive retirement pay
when he/she fulfills any of
the following conditions:
1. When the member isover the age of 50 andretires from sea service permanently;
2. When the member is nolonger able to work as aseafarer because of injury,
illness or death; or
3. When the member is aradio officer and has lost his
job because of the GMDSS
system.
If a member fulfills any of
the above conditions andwishes to receive retirement pay, the member
should send a letter, fax or
e-mail to the JSU office(International Affairs &Seafarers Section: 15-26, 7Chome, Roppongi, Minatoku, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan;
Attention: General Secretary). The JSU will checkthe member’s RPP records
to confirm that the member
is eligible to receive retirement pay; if so, then the
JSU will send an RPPapplication form to themember’s home address.
The member should fillout the RPP application
form and return it to the
JSU. After receiving the
RPP application form fromthe member, the JSU willtake steps to remit themember’s retirement pay tothe bank account indicatedon the RPP application. The
remittance process will takeabout one month.
Please send inquiries/questions to: <yokada@jsu.jp>.
JOKE CORNER
A wealthy old man was on his
death bed. He wanted badly totake some of his money withhim. Calling his priest, his doctor and his lawyer to his bedside, he gave each of themP100,000 cash.
“This cash is to be held by
each of you. I trust you to put it
in my coffin when I die so I cantake my money with me.”At the funeral, each man put
an envelope in the coffin. Riding
away, the priest suddenly broke
into tears and confessed, “I only
put P50,000 into the envelope
because I needed P50,000 for a
new baptistery.”“Well, since we’re confiding ineach other,” said the doctor, “I
only put P30,000 in the envelope because we needed a newmachine at the hospital whichcost P70,000.”
The lawyer was angry. “I’mashamed of both of you,” heexclaimed. “I want it known
that when I put my envelope inthat coffin, it held my personal
check for the full P100,000.”(Source: Jokes.com)