https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/833285-dfa-statement-on-denial-of-money-exchange-gretchen-ho-s-family-norway

The Department of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday that an outdated "dirty money" grey list was the reason a relative of host Gretchen Ho was refused the exchange of US dollars at Gardermoen Airport in Oslo.

In a statement, the DFA said that with the help of the Philippine Embassy in Oslo, it contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway "for an explanation."

"It was found out that the forex stall at Oslo airport is following an outdated list that still includes the Philippines in the Financial Action Task Force grey list," it wrote.

The FATF grey list identifies which countries have deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regimes.

It added that the FATF removed the Philippines from the grey list in February 2025, and the EU grey list in August 2025, following the introduction of rigorous reforms that fortified the integrity of the Philippines’ financial system and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating financial crimes.

"The Norwegian Foreign Ministry officials committed to follow up with the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway to update and delist the Philippines on the forex companies’ list of countries with high risk for money laundering or terrorist financing," the DFA said.

Earlier this week, Ho lamented on social media that one of her family members was denied to exchange $300 at the foreign exchange counter at the Gardermoen Airport in Oslo, Norway.

According to her, the woman at the counter said they cannot do so "because of the corruption and money laundering in the Philippines." They were told to have their money exchanged outside the airport.