Online applications for PSA documents, driver's licence renewal kick off

 

Filipinos living overseas will no longer have to go back home and queue up for important documents with new online services being offered by such government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office or the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Philippine Consulate has announced that applications for a certified true copy of birth, marriage, death certificates of certificate of no marriage can already be done online through the PSAHelpline International Service (PSAHelpline.ph)

DETAILS HERE

Once the required information is provided in the online form, the PSA documents will be sent to applicants in whatever part of the world they are in

 For details, please read here: https://psa.gov.ph/content/public-advisory-94

Sample driver's licence

Separately, media organizations in the Philippines have announced that drivers’ license renewal can now be done fully online so there will no longer be a need to queue up for the service at LTO.

Applications will have to be made by going to the eGvoPH app, then navigate to the LTO section and select “Renew Your Driver's License".

All of the required documents must be uploaded including a medical certificate for fitness from a licensed clinic, and the CDE or comprehensive driver’s education exam available via the LTMS Portal.

Basahin ang detalye!

Then pay the fees and receive a digital licence. Currently the fee is P350 for license renewal.

For those who are abroad an authorized representative in the Philippines should be named. This representative will have to submit to the LTO the following: photocopies of the applicant’s passport to prove identity and absence from the country, letter of authority to make the renewal of application, plus a photocopy of the expiring driver’s license.

The documents should be submitted directly to LTO, its license section at the Central Office (within the NCR) or to any LRO district offices outside Metro Manila.

Fees should then be made using digital wallets in the amount of Php350. A driver’s receipt will be sent electronically which will serve as a temporary driver’s license.

On the applicant’s return to the Philippines he or she will have 30 days to personally appear at the LTO office where the application was submitted to pick up the actual license. 

 

 

Man held for carrying retractable baton in luggage

 

Sample of an extendable baton

Here’s a fresh warning for those flying out of Hong Kong to never bring with them any prohibited weapon or item, whether in their carry-on or checked-in baggage.

A 62-year-old Hong Kong man was arrested on Friday, Dec 26, after security staff conducting routine screening of outbound baggage discovered what appeared to be a prohibited weapon inside his checked luggage bound for the United States.

After police were called, they found that the man had allegedly packed a retractable baton in his checked suitcase, which is classified as a prohibited weapon.

DETAILS HERE

Other items in this category include guns, imitation guns, bullets, and even chemical substances that can incapacitate or disable a person, such as pepper spray, mace or tear gas.

The man was arrested on suspicion of contravening the Aviation Security Ordinance, which forbids anyone from carrying with them any prohibited items in their luggage, both hand-carried or checked-in.

He was released on police bail pending further investigation.

Basahin ang detalye!

In the past, many inbound passengers or even those in transit, have been stopped at Hong Kong International Airport for carrying such items in their luggage, with many claiming not to know that this was illegal.

They included Filipino travelers, some of them seafarers who either had bullets in their bags which they said served as amulets, or extendable batons they took fancy on in the mainland.

At least one Filipino, a tourist bound for Britain, was also held at the airport in 2018 after his luggage was found to contain both an extendable baton and several tear gas canisters, which he said his male employer had asked him to take to London. He was lucky he was let off with just a $1,000 fine.

Man who assaulted FDH loses appeal against conviction & sentence

 

Residential estate n Tin Hau (Google Maps photo)

A man who appealed to the High Court to reverse his conviction and sentence of probation for assault  occasioning actual bodily harm inflicted on a foreign domestic helper, almost ended up in jail instead, in a decision that came out last Christmas eve.

“... after viewing all the CCTV footages, I find the attack violent, and having taken twice, I have in mind at one stage whether the probation order should be changed to some form of imprisonment term…,” said Deputy High Court Judge Frankie Yiu in a decision dated Aug. 27 but published by the High Court last Dec. 24. “But after considering all the matters, I do not intend to reverse the finding.”

Judge Frankie Yiu sustained the Eastern Court’s decision to convict A. F. Guerrero and sentence him to probation for 12 months.

DETAILS HERE

The case began when Guerrero, who was walking his dog, scolded the DH for letting her employer’s son ride a bicycle in the platform that connected the five towers of Pavilia Hill, a luxury residential estate in Tin Hau.

The dispute resulted in Guerrero being tried at Eastern Court, which found him to have snatched the DH’s phone while she was filming him and threw it away, pushed her to the ground and hit her twice with his bag. The DH sustained scratches to her knees and pain in her hips as a result.

Guerrero stopped only after a security guard who testified for the prosecution intervened and separated the two.

Through his lawyer, Guerrero questioned these findings, claiming it was the DH who pushed him and punched his chest after he brushed away her phone, that she rushed to strangle his dog, causing her to fall, and that he did not attack her at any time.

Basahin ang detalye!

He asserted that the magistrate who ruled against him erred in rejecting his evidence and evaluating the defense case, erred in considering whether all the elements of the crime have been proved and made unsafe inferences on the available evidence, such as the CCTV footage.

Judge Yiu rejected all these assertions, saying “the Magistrate did not convict the Appellant simply because his evidence was rejected, but simply finding sufficient evidence from the prosecution's case to convict the Appellant.“

He noted that the CCTV footage contradicts Guerrero’s  assertions.

Judge Yiu added: “When rejecting the claim of self-defense, the Magistrate correctly held that ‘he has no genuine subjective belief that there was a need of self-defense’.” 

The judge also rejected the appellant's argument that his sentence was manifestly excessive, citing several cases that resulted in a fine or a discharge order. Guerrero's lawyer told the court his client had already lost his high-paying job in a financial institution because of the case.

"Obviously, in this case, the probation order, as I said, after trial is really too lenient to the Appellant and clearly not manifestly excessive, particularly after trial of the case. So the appeal against sentence is also dismissed accordingly," said the judge.

Travellers urged: keep safe from mosquitoes

 

Hong Kong health authorities today reiterated their appeal for people, especially those travelling abroad, to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, as two new imported cases of dengue fever were reported during the Christmas holidays -- one of them arriving from the Philippines.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is monitoring mosquito-borne diseases dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF) because temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions (including neighboring Southeast Asian countries) remain favorable for mosquito breeding, CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui said

Dr Tsui reminded people travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases to prevent mosquito bites by wearing loose, light-colored, long-sleeved tops and trousers and applying insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body.

DETAILS HERE

During Dec. 19-25, the CHP recorded two imported dengue cases, one each from the Philippines and Cambodia, bringing the number of imported DF cases to 59 so far this year. Last year, 161 cases of DF were recorded, 156 of them imported and five local cases.

DF is prevalent in tourist destinations such as Indonesia, India and Vietnam which have recorded over 100,000 cases so far this year; Malaysia and Thailand with over 40 000 cases; and Singapore, over 3 500 cases. The Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 3,579 locally infected cases so far this year.

While no new cases of chikungunya fever were recorded during the holidays, Hong Kong already has 81 confirmed CF cases this year, 11 of them local cases and the rest imported.

Basahin ang detalye!

Some local cases of CF were found to have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, prompting the government to close the trails until further notice.

The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been conducting fogging operations along Tsing Yi Nature Trails and surrounding areas.

The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately.

The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to help in mosquito control measures early, removing potential breeding places in their homes, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems.

Bundle up amid cold snap, doctors say

 

Bundle up and mask up to protect yourself from cold, say doctors

The sudden drop in temperatures on Christmas day has prompted doctors to urge people, especially the elderly, to ensure that they do not get exposed to the cold, as it could lead to hypothermia.

 

Those with this condition may simply feel tired, but their life could be in danger if they don’t warm up quickly enough.

 

For those with heart problems, a sudden chill can lead to chest pains, and possibly acute heart problems. They are thus advised to monitor their blood pressure regularly and seek treatment in case of a sudden spike, or if they experience discomfort or chest pains.

 

DETAILS HERE

People are also warned that the cold snap could lead to a rise in seasonal flu and cough cases, so they should avoid attending large gatherings, or to wear a face mask in public.

 

The Hong Kong Observatory said a northeast monsoon caused temperatures to drop between and 8 degrees by midday on Thursday.

 

They further dipped overnight, reaching around 13 degrees I the urban areas on Friday morning.

 

Basahin ang detalye!

Residents have been advised to monitor weather changes, and to dress warmly. Family members are also urged to pay special attention to the elderly and the disabled or with chronic illnesses to ensure they do not get exposed to the cold.

 

The Observatory said the dry monsoon will persist over Guangdong, including Hong Kong, through the weekend and early next week. It will be mostly sunny during the day, but cold at night.

 

 

For stealing earring worth $1,800, Pinay to spend holidays in jail

 

Kowloon City Court

A Filipina domestic helper has learned the painful lesson that stealing, especially from your employer, is not worth it.

For stealing a silver earring valued at $1,800 from her employer, J. Madriago will be spending the next six weeks in jail, which includes both Christmas and New Year, as well as likely deportation after she is released.

DETAILS HERE

Madriago, 38 years old, received the sentence from Magistrate Tsang Chung-yiu at Kowloon City Court on Wednesday (Dec. 24) after she pleaded guilty of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, Cap. 210, Laws of Hong Kong.

A police complaint dated Dec., 5, 2025 charged Gumtang with stealing the silver earring from Josselyn Chau last Sept. 11 at the latter’s flat in Dunbar Place, Kowloon City.'

Basahin ang detalye!

Police arrested the helper shortly after the employer discovered the loss.

 

9 people arrested in pre-Christmas raids vs illegal work

Immigration warns estate residents against contractors who hire illegal workers (File)

A two-day operation on Christmas week resulted in nine people being arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal work. 

A press statement from the Immigration Department said the raids were carried out in multiple target locations, including food markets and event venues, from Dec 21 to yesterday, Dec 23.

Those arrested included six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers.

The suspected illegal workers comprised three men and three women, aged 18 to 58. A woman aged 43 was suspected of having employed them.

An investigation into the suspected employer is continuing and the authorities are not ruling out further arrests.

To further combat illegal work, Immigration officers visited a new housing estate in Sheung Shui and using a publicity vehicle, distributed leaflets to residents and property management staff, urging them to avoid employing illegal workers.

Immigration warns estate residents against contractors who hire illegal workers (File)

A two-day operation on Christmas week resulted in nine people being arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal work. 

A press statement from the Immigration Department said the raids were carried out in multiple target locations, including food markets and event venues, from Dec 21 to yesterday, Dec 23.

Those arrested included six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers.

DETAILS HERE

The suspected illegal workers comprised three men and three women, aged 18 to 58. A woman aged 43 was suspected of having employed them.

An investigation into the suspected employer is continuing and the authorities are not ruling out further arrests.

To further combat illegal work, Immigration officers visited a new housing estate in Sheung Shui and using a publicity vehicle, distributed leaflets to residents and property management staff, urging them to avoid employing illegal workers.

Basahin ang detalye!

Anyone who knowingly engaged contractors who use illegal workers may also face criminal prosecution.

In its advisory, Immigration warned that anyone who engages in illegal work in violation of their visa conditions may be imprisoned for up to two years and pay a $50,000 fine.

If the worker is an overstayer or illegal immigrant the maximum prison term is three years. In addition, the Immigration director may order the deportation of the offender, and prevented from ever returning to Hong Kong.

Employers who employ illegal workers face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. The High Court has decreed that immediate custodial sentence must be imposed on employers of illegal workers.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

5 Filipinas arrested in suspected credit card scam

 

The defendant was arrested in one of Wanchai bars (Google Maps photo)

Police have arrested five Filipino women and a Nepali man, aged between 35 and 56, for the alleged theft of a credit card which was then used in two separate transactions totaling around $10,800.

The six were arrested Tuesday night in a Wan Chai bar, in the wake of a complaint from a 55-year-old British man who reported the loss of his credit card while he was enjoying himself in the area last month.

The man later discovered his card had been used to purchase goods.

DETAILS HERE

The Wan Chai District Anti-Triad Unit launched an investigation after receiving the complaint on Nov 23.

They made the arrest after reviewing  CCTV footage in the area and conducting an intelligence analysis.

The six suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.

Basahin ang detalye!

During the operation officers seized a number of electronic payment terminals, transaction receipts, CCTV hard drives, and cash, indicating this was not a one-off case.

Police told The SUN all the Filipino women hold HKID cards, which means they are legally staying in Hong Kong, but It’s not known if they are permanent residents or are on employment visa.

The investigation into the case is continuing.

Pinay’s overstaying case moves after a year in jail

 

Eastern Court

A Filipina charged with breaching her condition of stay by overstaying for nearly two years will be able to enter her plea, more than a year after she was arrested and detained.

Joan Aguli, 44 years old, appeared today before Magistrate Kestrel Lam at Eastern Court on this last of four charges originally filed against her following her arrest on June 27 last year.

Magistrate Lam scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 20 next year to register her plea on the charge of breach of visa conditions, provided under  section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance. He ordered that she be returned to jail.

DETAILS HERE

The condition of stay imposed by an Immigration Assistant permitted her to remain in Hong Kong as a domestic helper until Sept. 6, 2022, but she remained in Hong Kong until her arrest on June 27, 2024, the police complaint said.

She has since applied for non-refoulement but has been turned down.

Magistrate Lam’s order was silent on the charge of possession of a dangerous drug -- 0.70 grams of a crystalline solid containing methamphetamine hydrochloride (otherwise known as shabu or ice) -- because she was fined $500 for it on Nov. 27 last year after her lawyer argued that she was using the drug to fight depression.

In addition to the drug charge, Aguli was also convicted of two counts of theft for shoplifting, for which she was sentenced to three months each, to run at the same time.

Basahin ang detalye!

In a separate but similar case in the same court, Emelita Arista, 56 years old, is accused of remaining in Hong Kong for almost 13 years after her visitor visa expired on April 10, 2004, until her arrest on Feb. 19, 2017.

Magistrate Lam adjourned her case to June 23 next year and allowed her bail of $1,000.

Job offers pour in for sacked Tai Po fire victim

 

Vame (right) recalls her ordeal in an interview while comforted
by Johannie Tong, a social worker from the Mission for Migrant Workers

Not a few people were touched by the story of Filipina domestic worker Vame Mariz Verador, who lost her job nine days after going through the most horrific ordeal during the Nov 26 fire in Tai Po.

After carrying her terrified two-year-old ward down 17 storeys to safety, she went back into the burning building to save the toddler’s grandmother.

Until now, Vame still tears up recalling the horror of fleeing the burning building, then rushing back in amid the fiery debris to save the elderly lady.

DETAILS HERE

But she was hurt even more when her recruitment agency informed her on Dec. 5 that her employer had decided to terminate their contract because of financial concerns.

 Luckily, the Mission for Migrant Workers was there to help. The charity organization immediately put her up at its shelter, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and arranged for her regular physiotherapy and counseling sessions.

But more unexpected help came. As stories of her bravery spread on the internet, a number of Hong Kong residents began calling up the Mission to offer her employment.

According to Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio, they have received at least 20 such job offers so far.

Basahin ang detalye!

“But we are holding off because of course, we need to know their background, and whether they will be a good fit for Vame,” said Antonio.

Astonishingly even Hong Kong’s Labour Department has contacted Vame to inform her that an employer wanted to hire her.

Vame and other fire survivors joined mourners at the funeral rites for Maryan

“Nagulat nga po ako,” (I was taken by surprise) Vame said about the unprecedented offer last Friday, during the wake of the lone Filipino fatality in the fire, Maryan Esteban.

But Vame said it was not the first time that somebody from Labour had reached out to her.

 “Lagi nilang tinatanong kung kumusta ako at kung may tulong daw ba akong kailangan ,” she said. (They often ask how I am doing and if there is anything I needed help with).

Though grateful for the job offers that continue to pour in, the mother of four said she does not think she is already fit to go back to work, saying her back still hurts a lot. She also needs to get more counseling to help her overcome the trauma of her near-brush with death.

But as always, her family, especially her children, remains as her biggest concern, so she is not closing the door to signing up for another contract. Just not yet.

For now, Vame is subsisting from help, mainly from the Mission and Bethune House, but also from a number of private donors who were moved by her story.

Along with 110 other FDWs employed at Wang Fuk House, Vame also stands to receive a special subsidy of $20,000 from the Hong Kong government, and a promised $2,000 in Octopus credit.

She will also have at least three months to decide on whether she should remain in Hong Kong to work, or go back home to be with her family, in line with the Immigration Department’s recent decision to relax its rules to benefit the fire victims.

 

Maryan to be buried on Christmas eve

 

Maryan had planned to marry this December to her OFW partner, Tintin

The sole Filipino fatality in the tragic Tai Po fire last month, Maryan P. Esteban, 39 years old, will be buried on December 24 in her hometown of Jones, Isabela.

This is according to Maryan’s partner, Tintin, who is already in Isabela for the final funeral rites. She will be joined by Maryan’s 10-year-old son, her parents and other relatives.

Maryan’s remains arrived in Manila on Saturday, but could only be flown on to Tuguegarao, Cagayan the next day, and by land, to Jones.

DETAILS HERE

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head PY Caunan ang Agimat Party List Rep. Bryan Revilla were at the airport in Manila to pay respect to Maryan and to ensure her family would get all the assistance they needed.

Secretary Cacdac called Maryan a “heroine” in his Facebook post on the arrival of the OFW’s remains.

Basahin ang detalye!

“We received her at the airport and offered her our prayers and respect as a slain OFW heroine,” said Cacdac.

Tintin said Administrator Caunan would be joining Maryan’s family Monday night for the second day of the wake, to again extend the government’s condolences and offer help.

Caunan, Cacdac and Revilla (middle 3) pay respects to Maryan in Manila

Tintin said Maryan’s family decided to move the burial forward to prevent the further decomposition of her body.

Maryan died along with five-year-old ward Hannah, whom she had looked after since she was a baby, in the fire that broke out at Wang Fung Court in Tai Po on Nov 26. Their bodies were found separately two days later.

Ten migrant domestic workers died in the tragedy, with Maryan the only Filipino. The rest were all Indonesians.

Tintin said she and Maryan had agreed to go home together just before Christmas so they could marry before a Christian pastor in Manila, with the blessing of the late OFW’s family.

Despite Maryan’s death, Tintin said she will abide by her promise to marry her in a ceremony to be held early on Tuesday.

Only this time, Tintin will be the only one reciting her marriage vows before the pastor, and beside Maryan’s lifeless body.