Filipina injured in Tai Po fire out of hospital

 

Rhodora was visited at the hospital by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac (right)
and Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr.

Filipina domestic worker Rowena Alcaraz Toñacao,  who was severely injured in the deadly fire in Tai Po has been discharged from hospital, and is now resting in a hotel with her two sisters.

This was according to Edwina Antonio of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which has been providing assistance to the migrant workers who were affected by the fire that killed 160 people.

However, it is still not clear whether Rhodora, who joined her employer only the day before the fire, intends to remain in Hong Kong and continue being a domestic worker.

DETAILS HERE

Rhodora had been confined at Caritas Hospital in Sham Shui Po since being rescued by firemen on Nov. 26, along with her employer’s three-month-old baby girl and mother from their burning 13^th floor flat in Wang Fuk Court.

She was in intensive care for more than a week and could barely speak because of the huge amount of noxious fumes she inhaled for about six hours before the firemen found them.

Despite this, Rhodora managed to send out tearful voice messages to her siblings and friends asking to be rescued along with the baby and her grandmother. This appeared to have contributed to their being rescued in time, and saved from greater harm.

Basahin ang detalye!

According to Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. who was among the first to visit her at the hospital, Rhodora told him and other staff of the Consulate of how she had to walk barefoot going down from the 13^th floor because the fireman could not carry her all the way.

At the time, she made no mention of the apparently exaggerated story that spread like wildfire on the internet of how she had hugged the baby the whole time to prevent her suffocating.

The apparent hype prompted her employer to post a message saying that while she was grateful that everybody from her home was safe, it was her mother who had looked after her baby the whole time. The employer said her mother had put the baby inside a wardrobe to limit smoke inhalation, and later told the firemen to get her from there during the rescue.

“The newly hired helper was truly unlucky, as this major incident happened less than 24 hours after she entered the household. I deeply sympathize with her situation,” said the employer.

Rhodora and her employer's family were trapped on the 13th floor of a building in this estate

Congen Israel said what Rhodora managed to tell them initially was that the grandmother had given her a wet blanket to cover herself and the baby while they waited for the rescue team. She also lent her phone to the grandmother so she could call the employer who was at work.

“Both of them are real heroes,” said Congen Israel.

He also praised all the other migrant domestic workers who stayed close to their employers and wards and did not run off, in the face of the massive danger they all faced.

As she was among those severely injured and had to stay in a hospital for more than seven days, Rhodora, who hails from Laguna, stands to receive $100,000 from the Hong Kong government as financial aid. She could also file a claim for employee compensation for the injuries she suffered while at work.

She is also due to benefit from a cash grant given by the Migrant Workers Office at the Philippine Consulate of at least Php50,000 and another Php20,000 from Rep. Bryan Revilla, who heads the Committee on Migrant Workers of the Philippine House of Representatives.

 

 

Pinay kept in jail over theft of $1M worth of watches

Fanling Court

A Filipina was remanded in jail Friday after she appeared at Fanling Court over two cases of theft of five watches, four of them Rolexes, worth more than $1 million.

Jeanny Llarenas , 50 years  old, will remain in jail until the case of violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance resumes on Feb. 6 next year, according to Magistrate Kenneth Chan. 

DETAILS HERE

A complaint filed by Tai Po Police last Oct. 17 said the thefts took place in the flat of her employer, Ms. Wong  in Deerhill Bay, in Tai Po Kau, Tai Po. 

In the first charge, Llarenas is alleged to have stolen two Rolex watches with a total value of $500,000 on an unknown date between June 1 and Oct 15 this year. 

Basahin ang detalye

The second charge involves the theft of two Rolex watches and a Citizen watch worth a total  of $510,000 during the same period. 

Chilly weekend forecast for Hong Kong

Time to bring out those woolies again, at least until Monday (File)

If you’re planning some outdoor activities this weekend, take note that the Hong Kong Observatory has forecast temperatures to drop significantly from tomorrow evening and last throughout Sunday.

A cold front is expected to form over central China tonight, and move across the coast of Guangdong, including Hong Kong, later tomorrow, causing temperatures to plunge to about 16 degrees by midnight.

The chilly weather will persist until Sunday, when temperatures are expected to fall further to 15 degrees Celsius in the urban areas and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories.

Basahin ang detalye!

Tomorrow will start fine but cloudy, with temperatures of between 20 and 22 degrees during the day. There will be fresh easterly winds, strong offshore and on high ground.

The weather will become noticeably cooler in the evening, brought about by stronger northerly winds along with one or two rain patches.

The chilly weather will persist on Sunday and Monday, before gradually easing by mid-week.

“Under the influence of the associated northeast monsoon, the weather will be dry over the coast of Guangdong early next week. It will be cool in the morning and at night, with a relatively large temperature difference between day and night over inland areas,” the Observatory said.

 

GCash limits Php1k Christmas bonanza after HK rush

 

A GCash account holder says she paid only about Php500 (HK$68) for this
basketful of goodies originally worth HK$201 (Facebook post)

One day, and it was gone. Well, almost.

Since Wednesday, Facebook has been abuzz with news that GCash, the Philippines-based mobile payment system, was giving away Php1,000 vouchers as a Christmas gift to their Filipino account holders who only needed to buy at least P1,001 worth of items from its partner shops in Hong Kong.

That meant that if they kept their spending to this minimum level, their shopping was virtually free. But it had to be done in Hong Kong, using the QR code for the coupon that popped after they went through the indicated process.

Basahin ang detalye!

The news immediately spread like wildfire, and a number of Filipinos rushed out to stock up on chocolates and other personal items mainly from Wellcome and ParkNShop, though some found out the promo also worked with Japan Homes or any other shops that accept GCash.

All they needed to do was spend a total of about $134 (Php1,001) on their shopping, and hardly anything was charged to their GCash account.

The mechanics were simple. All that the GCash user had to do was to click on the “Travel” icon in the “Explore the App” part of their GCash display page, then press “travel treat.”

On the next page, they had to look for Hong Kong’s Bauhinia logo under the “Hot Deals” section to get to the page that said they could “save Php 1,000 instantly.”

Below was a line that said they should have a “mini spend” of Php1,001 to avail of the Php1,000 voucher. Once they clicked on the "use it" button, they were directed to a landing page that provided the QR payment code that they should use in making their purchase.

Despite initial apprehensions, scam-wary migrant workers trooped to various shops to grab the windfall, and went home mostly happy.

But a number griped on Facebook that they had been “scammed” because their GCash accounts were still charged for their purchases.

It turned out they did not meet the minimum spending requirement, which was Php1,001. One told a Filipino community leader in a Facebook live chat that she was charged for her HK$114 purchase, or Php832, which did not meet the required spending. 

Blogger shows the initial offer of virtual free shopping for Php1k worth of goods

“Minimum spend 1001 pesos kaya pag less than 1K pesos ang groceries ninyo, matik ung laman ni GCash ang kainin niya,” said a vlogger who goes by the name “Carrot in Neverland”, and showed how she managed to use the voucher by buying groceries worth a total of $135.

Some of her followers were not as lucky, though, showing notices on their GCash app that said “due to overwhelming response all the coupons have been redeemed.”

But for others the deal was not totally cut off. GCash came up with yet another ploy to stimulate spending by their Filipinos users while benefiting their partner companies in Hong Kong.

Recent wannabe free shoppers found out that if they accessed their GCash accounts they could still get the Php1,000 voucher, but this time, their minimum spending must either be Php3,000, Php4,000 or Php5,000. (HK$400 to HK663).

Now GCash will only give the Php1k voucher for those who spend between P3k-P5k

The discounts of between 20 and 33% are not bad compared with other promotions of this nature, but compared with the initial shopping deal earlier, this was a big letdown for many, especially those who are not about to spend that much money just to redeem a Php1000 (HK$134) voucher.

Registration now on for overseas voting in 2028 Phl election

 

The OV registration process explained

Registration for overseas voting in what could be a watershed presidential election in the Philippines has officially started.

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. who started serving in his Hong Kong post only last May, in time for the canvassing and counting of votes for the mid-term elections, was the first registrant from the Consulate.

The registration kicked off on Dec 1 at the temporary premises of the Consulate on the 26^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty, and will continue until Sept 30, 2027.

Overseas voter registration is open to all Filipino nationals who are at least 18 years old by May 8, 2028 residing or working abroad.

DETAILS HERE

This means that all newly arrived Filipino migrant workers or those who enter on employment, dependant or student visas and expect to be in Hong Kong during the month-long election period in April to May 2028, could register on or before the deadline.

Those who have been taken off the registered voters list for not voting in two consecutive elections should also register anew.

Last-minute registration results in long queues like this one

Registration can be done in person at the Consulate, located at 26/F (Sundays) and at the OFW Global Center on the 18/F (Mondays to Thursdays), by presenting a valid Philippine passport and a completed Overseas Voting Form (OVF-1).

All Filipino nationals registered as overseas voters will be able to cast their vote for President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List Representative in the 2028 National Elections. 

Basahin ang detalye!

This early, speculations are rife on who would likely run for the top posts - and who should be voted - especially amid the continuing outrage over massive corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

In the overseas election earlier this year, Filipinos in Hong Kong voted straight "Duter10," or the entire senatorial slate of 10 senatorial candidates endorsed by jailed former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. 

With him locked up at The Hague on "crimes against humanity" charges and her embattled daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte facing possible impeachment for corruption, the next national election might yet turn the tide against them.

The Consulate General urges all Filipino nationals in Hong Kong to register early during the 22-month registration period and not wait until the last day of registration to avoid long queues.

DH jailed 4 months for jewelry theft

 

Kowloon City Courthouse

Another domestic helper was jailed today for four months after she admitted stealing a jewelry box containing four rings and five bracelets from her employer.

Rona Elizaga, 45 years old, had pleaded guilty in a hearing at Kowloon City Court, prompting Magistrate Tsang Hing-tung to give her a one-third discount on her penalty of six month’ imprisonment after convicting her of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, Cap. 210.

The theft took place between June 19 last year and Sept. 9 this year at the home of her employer, Cheung Wing Yee. The Wong Tai Sin Police did not disclose the location of the flat.

DETAILS HERE

Meanwhile in a separate case, another domestic helper shelled out $20,000 to bail herself out of Shatin Court after being charged with breach of condition of stay for allegedly working illegally at a flower shop in Tsim Sha Tsui.

S. Francisco, 47 years old, is accused of violating section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, and by virtue of Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations.

Basahin ang detalye!

The complaint filed by the Immigration Department said Francisco was caught working illegally at Eastern Flower Centre on Cameron Road last Aug 21 despite being authorized by the Director of Immigration to work only for Hiren Satishchandra Shah at the address specified in their employment contract.

Pinay tourist who overstayed 1 year detained

 

The case was heard at Shatin Court

A Filipina tourist who has overstayed her visa for one year has been remanded in jail until her next appearance at Shatin Court next month.

An Immigration Department complaint described Eriza Valderama, 40 years old, as having no valid travel document and “no fixed abode in Hong Kong.”

DETAILS HERE

With the possibility of her not showing up in court if allowed bail, aside from providing her with accommodation while her case is pending, Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong on Monday (Dec. 8) ordered her continued detention as he adjourned the case to Jan. 5 next year.

She was arrested last Nov. 5 after Immigration officers found out that as a tourist, she stayed on despite being required to leave on Nov 1, 2024.

Basahin ang detalye!

 “You, being a person permitted to land in Hong Kong by an Immigration Officer by virtue of section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance, did contravene a condition of stay in force in respect of yourself,” the charge said.

Valderama was charged with breach of condition of stay, which is punishable under section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance with a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

Peso drops to record low of 59.22 vs US$1

 

The USD has emerged stronger than most regional currencies, including the peso

The Philippine peso sank to a new record low Tuesday, closing at 59.22 against the US dollar, amid expectations of a further rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Because of the HKD peg to the USD, the corresponding exchange rate with the HKD is now Php7.61 to HK$1.

This beat the previous record for the drop of Php59.17, posted on Nov. 12.

DETAILS HERE

The local currency dipped by 28.5 centavos from the Friday finish of 58.935, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines show.

The peso opened weaker on Tuesday at 59.08, and posted an intraday best at 59.07, before closing at the record low of 59.22.

For the past year, the local currency has depreciated by 2.32% from its Php57.845 finish on Dec. 27, 2024.

Basahin ang detalye!

The Philippine peso dropped along with most regional currencies ahead of the US Federal Reserves’ policy meeting, and the possible consequence of a rate cut by the BSP.

Reports from the Philippines indicate the BSP would likely announce a fifth straight drop tomorrow, to bring the policy rate to at least 4.5%, the lowest since September 2022.

Last week BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. hinted at a further cut, citing weakening growth prospects for the economy.

Analysts say that while remittances are expected to soar over the holiday season, this will be tempered by a strong US dollar and a weak local confidence, resulting in higher costs of imports and debt repayments.

Forecasts are mixed, with analysts predicting either a slight rise for the peso at 59.05 and 59.10, or a further dip to between 59.30 and 59.35 within the week.

 

Pinoy wielding scissors in public jailed 3 months

 

Kornhill Plaza Parking area, where J.A.B. was arrested (Google Maps photo)

A 19-year-old Filipino arrested at Kornhill Plaza in Quarry Bay holding a pair of scissors and pleaded guilty at Eastern Court to possession of offensive weapon in a public place, was sentenced today to three months in jail.

This came after Principal Magistrate David Cheung considered the Detention Centre, Rehabilitation Centre and Psychiatric reports he had ordered to guide his decision on the fate of J.A.B., whom he sent to Siu Lam Hospital, known as Hong Kong’s top hospital for mental ailments,  after the previous hearing last Nov, 26.

In that hearing, J.A.B. had pleaded guilty to violating section 33(1) and (2) of the Public Order Ordinance.

DETAILS HERE

Under the ordinance, people of his age may be sentenced to stays in jail of up to three years or confinement in a Detention Centre or Rehabilitation Centre.

Police had charged J.A.B. of having an offensive weapon, a pair of scissors, “without lawful authority or reasonable excuse” last Aug. 15 “in a public place near bus stop, outside Kornhill Plaza (South), No. 2 Komhill Road, Quarry Bay.”

In sentencing J.A.B., Magistrate Cheung chose a starting point of six months, from which he took out one-third or two months as discount for J.A.B.’s guilty plea. He then deducted another month, leaving the final sentence to three months.

Basahin ang detalye!

In her appeal for a lenient sentence, J.A.B.’s lawyer said he has had mental problems since high school, and he suffers from depression, aas well as “mental retardation and borderline intelligence.”

She said his symptoms eased during his court-ordered stay at Siu Lam, and he has expressed eagerness to go back to school and undergo therapy.

Filipino fire victims get windfall cash aid, but still reel from trauma

By Daisy CL Mandap

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in 7 decades killed at least 159 people

Filipino migrant workers who were among those who survived the tragic fire in Tai Po that killed 159 people have received a cash bonanza, mainly from the Philippine government, of at least Php70,000.

Of this, Php50,000 came from the Aksyon Fund (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan), a program by the Department of Migrant Workers that provide crucial legal, medical, financial and repatriation aid to distressed overseas Filipino workers.

The remaining Php20,000 was handed out to them last Sunday, December 6, at the OFW Global Centre by Rep. Bryan Revilla, who heads the House of Representatives’ Committee on Migrant Workers.

DETAILS HERE

Separately, the Hong Kong government has pledged to give HK$20,000 (Php151,000) financial assistance to each foreign domestic worker affected by the fire in Wang Fuk estate, apart from $2,000 (Php15,100) in Octopus card credit which they can use for transportation and emergency expenses.

Those injured will get HK$100,000 (Php755,000) if they are hospitalized for at least a week, and HK$50,000 (Php377,500) if they are confined for up to six days. Families of those who died are assured of getting a total financial assistance package of about HK$800,000 (Php6 million).

Survivors of the tragedy have been receiving material and psycho-social counselling
from NGOs like the Mission for Migrant Workers and Bethune House shelter

The affected but not injured Filipino workers who number about 30, have also been receiving a lot of donations in kind, mainly from non-government organizations like the Mission for Migrant Workers and the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

Last Sunday, they again received care packs from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, then later at the Mission, where they were also provided medical and psycho-social counseling by the Hong Kong Red Cross and volunteer social workers.

Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio said, “You’d be surprised at the various kinds of pain they complain about as a result of the fire. Some have stiff back, stiff legs – aches that they did not initially experience as they tried to escape the fire.”

Basahin ang detalye!

But more than the physical pain it is the trauma that the workers are having difficulty coping with, she said.

“One told me of her recurring nightmare of being trapped in the fire,” said Antonio. “This is true for most of them. You can just imagine the fear they had to endure which they are now just beginning to process.”

From the lengthy talks they have had with the victims since they set up a help desk right at Wang Fuk Court the day after the Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in 70 years broke out, Antonio said it was clear how traumatized the migrant workers were.

“Many spoke of how shocked they were on seeing their buildings ablaze since they never saw this from inside their flats. All their windows had been boarded up because of the repair work that had been going on in the estate for months.”

No fire alarms sounded despite the rapidly spreading fire, and many were alerted to the raging flames outside only by their employers who were mostly at work, and had called them on the phone to tell them to evacuate immediately.

Many are still in deep shock imagining what could have been. A number of those who were given counseling at the Mission said they managed to get onto the lifts with their elderly employers and young wards, just before they stopped running.

Mercy and Annabelle recall moments after they were told to leave their Wang Fuk flats

“Nakasakay kami ng lola sa last trip ng lift, (My popo and I were in the lift’s last trip down),” recalled Mercy Martinez, who said she did not immediately realize the big danger they were facing until they got to the ground floor.

After being led to safety, she saw fiery debris slamming onto the building they had just left, sparking the inferno that consumed the structure within only a few minutes.

She still shudders at the thought of what could have happened to them had they been unable to take the lift down from their upper-floor flat.

“Hindi ko kakayaning buhatin si popo pababa. (I would not have been able to carry popo down the stairs).

Adding to the pain was the seeming lack of sympathy or understanding of what they had to endure, from people close to them.

Mercy rued that her teenage son never once asked how she was feeling after her close brush with death, and learning of how a number of her friends had perished in the tragedy, including a sweet Indonesian migrant worker who lived in a nearby building. 

Edwina Antonio (leftmost) with volunteers at the MFMW Help Desk in Tai Po

Antonio also shared the story of another Filipina who was left in tears when the elderly woman she was looking after showed far more concern toward the turtle and cat they had left behind in their flat than she did for her.

Meanwhile, another OFW victim, Annabelle, still lives in a government-provided shelter, sharing a tiny room with her employer's three family members, including a child who is on the autism spectrum. 

She was in a way spared of some of the trauma because she was in the market when the fire struck, while her disabled ward was in school and his elderly grandmother was out on an errand. Her employer called her and told her not to go back to their flat as it was burning.

Still, the terror of that day continues to haunt her. "Hindi na siguro ako titira ulit doon kung sakali" (I don't think I'd ever want to live there again), she said with a shudder.

The emotional scars caused by the tragedy would take a long time to heal, said Antonio. For this reason, the Mission and Bethune House plan to continue providing them with all the support they need until they recover.

This Sunday, the Mission will hold its periodic Care to Caregivers program at the St John’s Cathedral grounds, while a second round of session with the Red Cross will be held on Dec. 21, exclusively for the fire victims.

High Court trial set for Pinoy cook accused of raping family’s DH

 

The neighborhood in Mui Wo where the rape was allegedly committed (Google Maps photo)

The case against a Filipino cook accused of raping his family’s domestic helper, was elevated to the High Court after he pleaded not guilty today at Eastern Court.

Alden John Apayat, 41 years old, will be tried for the rape of the woman identified only as X, on April 10 last year at their house on Mui Wo Rural Committee Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island.

Under Section 118(1) of the Crimes Ordinance, rape carries the maximum penalty of life in prison.

In a hearing today, Magistrate Minnie Wat released Apayat under an arrangement adopted in June last year when the case was still at Shatin Court, in which Apayat would be released on a cash bail of $50,000 and surety of $15,000.

DETAILS HERE

The bail conditions required him to surrender his Philippine passport, to not contact any of the prosecution witnesses and the victim, to live in the address given to the court, to notify the police at least 24 hours before moving to another address, and to report every Sunday to the Mui Wo Police.

Meanwhile, a Filipina asylum seeker arrested last month after she slashed two plastic safety cones in the Apliu Street Public Toilet in Sham Shui Po, found herself shelling out $1,000 for bail at West Kowloon Court  after two charges were filed against her by police.

Principal Magistrate Don So adjourned the case against Rutchel Lagud, 39 years old and unemployed, who was charged with possession of offensive weapon and criminal damage after the slashing incident last Nov. 17.

Basahin ang detalye!

The first case, a violation of section 17 of the Summary Offences Ordinance, arose after Lagud was found to have in her possession a paper cutter around 13 cm in length.

The Police alleged that she had the cutter “with intent to use the said weapon for unlawful purposes.”

The criminal damage charge, in violation of section 60(1) of the Crimes Ordinance, arose after she used the cutter to slash the safety cones inside the female toilet, “without lawful excuse” and “intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged,” the Police alleged.

District Court finds Filipina guilty of laundering $8.83 million

 

The reasons for the verdict were read out in District Court today

A 38-year-old Filipina was today found guilty at the District Court of laundering a total of $8.83 million in her three bank accounts, the biggest amount ever linked to a foreign domestic worker in Hong Kong.

Lynie Acosta, a widow who has been working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong since 2017, was returned to jail pending a background report, and will be sentenced on January 12 next year.

She was convicted despite her claim that she had been tricked into opening three bank accounts by three persons she did not know, who told her they were registering her for a “game,” for which she was paid $400.

In court today, District Court Judge Edward Wong said the prosecution had proved all charges against Acosta beyond reasonable doubt.

DETAILS HERE

He dismissed the defense’s plea for Acosta to be allowed bail pending the sentencing, saying the offences she committed were serious.

The defence lawyer had tried to argue that there was no harm in setting Acosta free before the sentencing, as she was staying in the shelter run by the Philippine Consulate, which could guarantee her return, but the judge was not convinced.

The defense was directed to submit a written background and mitigation for Acosta by December 21, as well as sentencing guidelines for similar offences in which the amount involved is as huge as in the present case.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acosta was charged with three counts of money laundering, with the first involving the biggest chunk of the money, amounting to to $8,597,833.36, passing through her Mox Bank account between March 25 and May 19, 2023.

The prosecution alleged that she dealt with the property with the help of two persons, one named Jane Corpuz and another unknown.

The same persons were also cited as helping Acosta in dealing with $192,940.08 in her account with the Standard Chartered Bank on March 31, 2023, which formed the basis for the second charge.

The third charge was over the $45,100.78 deposited in her account with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, which she again allegedly dealt with, along with Corpuz and the unknown person.

In her defence, Acosta said Jane who was introduced by her sister, had met up with her in Tseung Kwan O and asked if she was interested in instant cash by playing a game.

Jane and two Chinese men then asked for her HKID card which they scanned, before helping her take “selfies” from different angles, and uploaded these online. She was then paid $400 through her Alipay account.

Without her realizing it, Acosta said her personal details were used to open the three bank accounts in her name, and listing down a Sham Shui Po flat as her residential address.

Her lawyer argued that Acosta did not know that the bank accounts were opened in her name, nor was she aware that the same accounts were used to funnel money obtained from scams,  in particular from fraudulent online selling.

The defense also tried to shift the blame on banks’ lax security, pointing out that they should have been alerted by the large amounts of money that were passing through accounts held by a foreign domestic worker.

But the judge did not accept the arguments, saying Acosta could not have possibly believed she was merely being asked to play a game when she was asked for her HKID card and submit to a lengthy photo capture or scanning.

Besides, there was no evidence at all of any gaming account being opened in Acosta’s name during that incident.

Despite being  a domestic worker, Acosta is already 38 years old and received tertiary education in the Philippines so she could not have been as naïve as pictured, said the judge.

He also pointed out that Acosta has an Alipay account in Hong Kong and a bank account in the Philippines so she was not totally clueless about bank procedures.

To top it all, it was unbelievable that she had allowed three people she only met for the first time to get hold of her HKID card and spend some time taking her photo from different angles, all because of a game.

Acosta received support from her employer during the initial hearings of the case, and even offered to post bail for her, as she was having difficulty taking care of her son and sick mother while keeping her own job.

The defense lawyer had also appealed to the court to allow bail, saying Acosta’s husband died recently, and she was desperate to continue working to pay off the hospital and burial bills, as well as support her child who was left in her mother-in-law’s care.

But after the case was transferred to the District Court, then presiding judge, Wong Kwai Kin warned that Acosta could face a more severe sentence if found guilty, as the Department of Justice had sought to get higher sentences imposed in money laundering cases.