Pinay, local man jailed 2 weeks for fighting in public

 

The scene of the street fight

Hong Kong takes fighting in a public place very seriously.

This was emphasized to a Filipina and a Chinese man, Mari Miriam Manrique and Chiu Hung-lung, when they were each sentenced today at Eastern Court to two weeks’ imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to fighting in public last Feb. 15.

Both were set free immediately as they had been jailed longer than their sentence.

The scene of their fight was a subway on 1 Wong Nai Chung Road in Happy Valley.

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Manrique, 40 years old and a recognizance card holder indicating that she is an asylum seeker, has been asking for bail reviews since her confinement last month but had been repeatedly rebuffed despite offering increasing sums of bail money.

Her opponent, on the other hand, has worked as a parttime cleaner who is remorseful for being in a fight with a woman, according to his lawyer. “He did it on impulse,” he explained..

Principal Magistrate Don So told them, after giving a sentence that was shorter than their confinement, “You can go home tonight.”

 

Tram fares to go up from May 12

 

Tram patronage has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, says its operator

Starting on May 12, tram passengers will have to pay up to 30 cents more per ride, after the government approved a proposal to increase fares by 6 to 15 percent.

Passengers aged 12 or above will pay $3.30 for a tram ride, up 30 cents from the current $3.

Child fares will increase from $1.50 to $1.60, while seniors aged 65 and above will pay 20 cents more, from the current $1.30 to $1.50.

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However, the $260 monthly ticket will remain unchanged, in a bid to lessen the impact on passengers.

The government said it looked at various factors before deciding on the increase, such as the service quality and quantity, Hong Kong Tramway’s planned improvements, changes in operating costs and revenue, and public acceptability.

According to HKT, tram patronage has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, while its non-fare box income, which accounts for about 50% of its total revenue, is “rather limited.”

At the same time, operating costs and staff salaries have been rising continuously. The tram company also plans to continue investing on improving services, such as the renewal of tram tracks and the upgrading of tram cars.

Even with the fare increase, the tram remains the most economical means of going around Hong Kong island.

Filipina DH cuts wrists in attempted suicide

 

The incident happened in one of the flats at Double Cove on Wu Kai Sha Road

A Filipina domestic helper in Ma On Shan was rushed to hospital at about 9:30pm last night, after attempting suicide by slashing her wrists and taking some pills.

Reports said the 33-year-old Filipina was undergoing some financial difficulties which may have helped push her to the edge.

A police report said the Filipina’s employer had called for help, suspecting that the helper was in distress inside their residence at Double Cove, 8 Wu Kai Sha Road.

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Paramedics who responded to the call found the helper unwell. They also found a packet of drugs and a suicide note near her.

She was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in a semi-conscious state, but her present condition is unknown.

Staff at the Philippine Migrant Workers Office said they had not heard of the case, and are asking those who might know the helper to contact them so she could be helped.

Anyone suffering from depression or having suicidal thoughts may call the 24-hour multi-lingual hotline at The Samaritans Hong Kong at 28960000.

Alternatively, they may call or send a message to The Help Project at 28272525, for free and fully confidential support.

Filipino migrant workers may also call the hotline of the MWO at 5529 1880, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at 63459324, or the assistance to nationals section of the Philippine Consulate at 9155 4023.

Qatar drops illegal assembly charge against 17 Duterte supporters

 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announces the dropping of charges (PCO photo)

The Qatari government has dropped charges of illegal assembly lodged against 17 Filipinos who joined a protest rally condemning the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte at a beach just outside Doha on Mar 27.

This was announced by Malacanang at a press conference yesterday.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the 17 overseas Filipino workers can now decide whether they wish to return to their jobs or go back to the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. also announced the “good news” in a social media post.

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He said he was informed about the dismissal of the charges during earlier talks with Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Homidi.

“I am happy to announce that Qatar will no longer prosecute the 17 of our compatriots who were recently detained there for illegal assembly. They will no longer face any punishment and can return to work,” the President said.

Under Qatari law, those found guilty of illegal assembly may face up to three years’ imprisonment and fined by as much as 50,000 Qatari riyals (P783,718.03)

The 17, 12 men and five women, were given provisional release on Friday, Apr 4, eight days after their arrest. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the 17, one of whom had an expired visa, were singled out because they were wearing pro-Duterte t-shirts.

The rally which sought Duterte’s return to the Philippines, was held a day before the 80^th birthday of the former president who is now detained at The Hague after being arrested in the Philippines on Mar 12, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Duterte who faces crimes against humanity charges, first appeared before the ICC via video link on Mar 14, where he confirmed his identity. He is due to appear before the court again in September.

His last public appearance was on Mar 9 in Hong Kong, during which he joined his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, in campaigning for their senatorial candidates in next month’s mid-term elections in the Philippines.

The ICC’s record on the charges against Duterte can be found here: https://www.icc-cpi.int/philippines/duterte

 

 

 

 

2 jailed for booking tennis courts for other people

 

Wong Nai Chung tennis courts (Google Maps photo)

Two Filipinas who had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud for booking tennis courts on behalf of other people, were jailed today while their co-accused is set to be tried at Shatin Court after pleading not guilty to the allegation. 

Helen Habungan, 43 years old, and Ammar Mendoza, 65 years old, both pleaded guilty last March 15.

Habungan was today jailed for six months by Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong. She admitted to conspiring with a certain Joseph Mosqueda in getting permission from the director of Leisure and Culture Services and his officers to use public tennis courts “under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted.”

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The offense lasted between Sept. 26 2023 and July 14, 2024.

Mendoza was jailed for four months after she admitted conspiring with a certain Graeme Foster between Sept. 27 2023 and June 12, 2024 by “dishonestly and falsely misrepresenting that you hired the tennis courts…”

However, prosecutors withdrew a second charge filed against her, which was for breach of condition of stay, for allegedly doing work other than that of a domestic helper.

The third Filipina accused of conspiracy to defraud -- Dolly Gay Manaligod, aged 32 -- pleaded not guilty, prompting Magistrate Cheang to schedule a pre-trial review for June 30 and trial for July 8.

Manaligod is accused of conspiring with a certain Lucas Miguel Caceres, for whom she allegedly booked tennis courts, from Sept. 27 2023 to June 21, 2024.

She was released on $500 bail.

Phl in talks with HK on sending nurses to city

 

Acting Head of Post Sheila Arnesto says non-locally trained Filipino nurses may soon work in HK

The Philippines, through its consulate in Hong Kong, is in talks with local authorities on getting Filipino nurses to be hired here.

This was disclosed by Acting Consul General Sheila M. Arnesto and confirmed by visiting Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Felicitas Bay, when they both spoke at a thanksgiving and dedication service for the OFW Global Center in Admiralty yesterday, Sunday.

Consul Arnesto said Filipino nurses who were not trained in Hong Kong could come and work here if a deal is reached with local authorities.

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She said the initiative is in line with Hong Kong’s recent moves to open new pathways for nurses who trained outside of the city so they could come and work here. However, she did not give any more details.

The talks followed the amendment of the Nurses Registration Ordinance in July 2024, which provided new pathways for non-locally trained nurses to come and work in Hong Kong. Those who qualify need not take the licensing examination if they work in public hospitals, clinics and care homes.

Those with three years' working experience may apply for special registation, which qualifies them for full registration after working in relevant institutions for five years.

Those with at least one year of working experience can apply for limited registration to work here, but will not qualify the for full registration.

With registered nurses in public hospitals being paid a starting monthly salary of HK$37,590 the response to the Hospital Authority's recruitment drive abroad has been largely positive. The HA has been to Singapore, Malaysia and Macau to talk to possible recruits, and has held online job talks for nurses in Britain, the United States and Australia.

USec Bay confirmed the news, saying “may niluluto” (something is cooking) for non-Hong Kong trained nurses and health professionals, but like Arnesto, could not be drawn to give more details.

She however, told the OFWs at the gathering that they could already tell their family and friends about the good news.

Asked whether inability to speak Chinese could hinder the plan of sending Filipino nurses to the city, Arnesto said there are certain areas where being able to speak English would be enough for them to get by.

She also said this could open the door to better opportunities for Filipino nurses, especially those who are currently working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. 

Despite this, the head of the Filipino Nurses Association in Hong Kong has reservations, knowing that many patients, especially the elderly, are unable to speak English.

Lorna Pagaduan, a registered nurse in the Philippines who moved to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper for lack of job opportunities back home, also wants to know how long it would take for a non-local to be trained for the work here, if that is part of the requirements.

But such misgivings aside, Pagaduan said the news that the Philippines might soon be able to send nurses in Hong Kong is a welcome development, especially those who have been away from the bedside for a long time.

"Marami mang offers sa iba't ibang bansa, ang Hong Kong ay kapitbahay lang natin. Malapit kaya madaling umuwi kung kailangan," she said. (Though there are a lot of offers for our nurses from other places abroad, Hong Kong is very near us. It's near enough that it would be easy to go home should the need arises).

She just hopes that if or when a deal is finally struck, Hong Kong will give priority to nurses who are already in the city but are not able to practice their profession here, as they are already familiar with the local culture and environment.

More OFW centers to be set up abroad, says OWWA

 

Admin Ignacio and USec Bay (middle) receive appreciation certificates from Filcom leaders

At least two more recreational centers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be opened soon, according to Administrator Arnell Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Speaking at the “Thanksgiving and Dedication” service for the Department of Migrant Workers-OWWA OFW Global Center in Hong Kong this morning, Ignacio mentioned Taiwan and Malaysia as the next overseas posts that will have the leisure and training facility for OFWs.

He said “marami pa” (there will be more), when asked how many OFW centers are in the pipeline, even while admitting that the Hong Kong center, the first of its kind to be built outside of the Philippines, was “mahal” (expensive).

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In a previous interview, the OWWA chief told The SUN that the center, whose 20,000 square-foot space occupies the entire 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty, was going to cost the government HK$8 million a year, or roughly Php5 million a month in rent alone.

Extra budget is needed to run the center, which will be open five times a week, as OFWs who drop in can avail of "unlimited" free coffee and sandwiches or cookies.

It was set up close on the heels of the opening of the OFW lounges at Terminals 1 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, which Ignacio also spearheaded, with funding coming from the national budget.

The Hong Kong centre which was formally opened in November last year, will have its “grand opening” next month, when DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac will lead the rites. Today’s event, said Ignacio, was just a “patikim” (foretaste) of that bigger ceremony.

The OWWA chief was in town for another purpose – to bring the machine that was immediately put to use to process and print the e-cards of OFWs in Hong Kong. Previously, the physical cards could only be obtained at the OFW lounges at NAIA or at a designated branch of DMW and OWWA.

USec Bay said center is recognition of OFWs' resilience, sacrifices and dedication

Also at the ceremony was DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay, who said the center was being dedicated to OFWs as a sign of the government’s recognition of their “resilience, sacrifices and boundless dedication.”

“Today history has changed and our modern-day heroes will no longer have to endure the challenges of resting on crowded public spaces that expose them to unnecessary discomfort and grief,” USec Bay said.

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She added that during a visit to Hong Kong in 2023 she, along with the late Consul General Raly Tejada and another official of the Department of Foreign Affairs went around and saw how OFWs were spending their days-off hanging out in open areas around the city, though “masaya naman sila.”

Bay said the center was a symbol that the government will always ensure the wellbeing of OFWs. It is where “safety, dignity and bayanihan converge,” she added.

As she spoke, about 1,000 OFWs (a tiny fraction of the 120,000 Filipino migrant worker population in Hong Kong) gathered in various rooms at the center, either to listen to the speeches, secure e-cards, attend training sessions, or partake of the free coffee and biscuits on offer.

About 1,000 OFWs packed the center for the ceremony and other activities

Both Ignacio and Bay thanked the Philippine Consulate General, especially former Consul General Germinia A. Usudan who returned to the DFA head office last month, for securing approval for the center from the Hong Kong government.

Acting Consul General Sheila M. Arnesto said the DFA has always given priority to assisting Filipino nationals abroad, so helping set up the OFW center was equally important to them.

Flying in for the ceremony were other top officials of the DMW, OWWA and the Department of Budget and Management.

2 Pinay DHs in assault case cleared after being bound over

 

Heng Fa Chuen estate in Chai Wan

Two Filipinas who clashed in a flat in Heng Fa Chuen in February, resulting in both of them being charged at Eastern Court with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, have been cleared of the charges after accepting a bind-over agreement.

Prosecutors withdrew the charges against Rita and Evangeline, both domestic helpers, after they agreed to be bound to a promise not to commit another offense for one year, or they will be fined $1,000 each.

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Under Hong Kong laws, a bindover is neither a conviction nor a punishment, but a conditional discharge. The alleged offence is not recorded unless the defendant breaches the bindover condition.

“It is a preventative measure whereby a person enters into a recognisance before the court (gives a promise) to engage in good behavior and to keep the peace for a period not exceeding three years,” according to the Community Legal Information Centre.

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The charges against Rita, 57 years old, and Evelyn,  47 years old, were for violation of  section 39 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance which is punishable with a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

The two were charged after being arrested for assaulting each other inside a flat in Block 11 of Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan last Feb. 6.

SC strikes down linking OEC to SSS contributions

 

The Supreme Court says OFWs should not be forced to pay for SSS before getting an OEC

All overseas Filipino workers must be covered by social security benefits as required by Republic Act No 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, according to a Philippine Supreme Court in a decision handed down on Mar 26.

However, the SC declared that requiring land-based OFWs to pay their SSS contributions before they can be issued with an overseas employment certificate (OEC) violates their constitutional right to work and travel.

In a decision written by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the SC en banc declared as unconstitutional Rule 14, Section 7 (iii) of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 11199 requiring advance payment of SSS contributions as a precondition to the issuance of the OEC.

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All concerned government agencies such as the SSS, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment (or Department of Migrant Workers now) are permanently prohibited from implementing the requirement.

Migrante International, which led the filing of the case with the Supreme Court, hailed the decision as a victory in its long-running campaign to reverse all mandatory collection of fees from OFWs which were made part of the law during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Migrante also recalled in a statement how it led the protest against the mandatory collection of PhilHealth contributions, compulsory insurance for all OFWs, payments for affidavits of support, and many other oppressive collection of fees from OFWs.

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In upholding the argument that linking the OEC to SSS contributions was unconstitutional, the SC said: “To truly honor the sacrifices of our OFWs, often hailed as modern-day heroes, it is crucial to refrain from oppressive policies that unfairly burden them,” said the country’s highest court.

But at the same time, the SC ruled that all OFWs must be covered by the SSS law, calling it both as a benefit and a right.

“[Mandatory social security coverage] is especially beneficial to OFWs, who leave their families behind to work abroad. Aside from enduring separation from their loved ones, OFWs often face harsh working conditions, including long hours, excessive workloads and inadequate safety measures. Through coverage in the SSS, OFWs and their beneficiaries are safeguarded…,” said the SC.

The Court thus placed the responsibility of ensuring OFWs’ social security coverage on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the DMW, by securing agreements with host countries that will ensure foreign employers are made to pay their share.  

Migrante and other petitioners had sought to nullify RA 11199 and its IRR, saying it discriminated against land-based OFWs who are treated as self-employed workers, as their foreign employers are not compelled by law to pay their share.

In contrast, sea-based OFWs are covered by standard contracts that require recruitment agencies to cover their SSS contributions.

For HK OFWs, this would have meant paying around Php5,500 in monthly contributions, which amounts to 15% of the minimum wage for migrant workers here. Under the SSS charter, employers are supposed to pay 10% of the monthly salary, while the worker pays 5%.

According to Migrante, categorizing land-based OFWs as self-paying members was discriminatory, while making the payment of SSS contributions a pre-condition to the issuance of OEC was unfair, and restricted their right to work and travel.

The SC agreed that linking the OEC to mandatory SSS contribution contradicts the principle of protecting workers’ rights as OFWs are forced to pay up even before they started work or received salaries. The SC also ruled that this violates the right to travel for land-based OFWs.

However, it said that the law did not discriminate against land-based OFWs as it was only through necessity that both the employer and the employee’s contributions are levied against them.

The SC said RA 11199 places the burden of ensuring proper collection from foreign employers on the DFA and DOLE (now DMW), suggesting this could be done through negotiating social security and labor agreements with the host countries.

In his separate concurring and dissenting opinion, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen agreed that the IRR which links the collection of SSS contributions to the issuance of the OEC unfairly shifts the financial burden on land-based OFWs for the lack of labor and security agreements.

It is thus discriminatory to compel OFWs whose employers are not bound by bilateral agreements to pay their share of the SSS contributions. He said the real issue lies in the lack of a legal mechanism to require foreign employers to pay their share, a system that the State must establish.

In her dissenting opinion, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier argued that the payment of SSS contributions as a precondition to the issuance of OECs is a valid and efficient way to ensure compulsory coverage before deployment in the absence of social security or labor agreements with host countries. 

While this imposes a burden on workers, it is essential to protect their welfare and that of their families, she said.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa wrote a separate concurring and dissenting opinion, where he said it is not discriminatory to make land-based OFWs to pay both employee and employer contribution, as they can demand for a higher salary, or collect it from the employer later.

He also said linking the OEC to SSS payments does not violate the land-based OFWs’ right to travel as they are not prevented from leaving the country.

 

DC starts hearing DH’s cases of theft, misleading police

 

Estate where thefts were alleged to have taken place

A domestic helper appeared at the District Court for the first time on Thursday on two charges of stealing 10 watches from her employer, and then misleading the police by reporting a burglary on their house in Kowloon Tong.

Vanessa Vallespin, 39 years old, was returned to jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Jun 19.

She initially appeared at the Kowloon City Court before the case was elevated to the District Court because of the seriousness of the charges.

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In the first charge, Vallespin is accused of stealing a watch from her male employer Gary Lau at Sunderland Estate in Kowloon Tong on Dec. 2, 2024, according to information filed by the Kowloon City Police.

Two days later, she allegedly stole nine more watches belonging to the employer.

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On the same day, it was alleged that she had "knowingly misled" a police officer by giving false information about the house being burgled by unknown persons.

Section 64(b) of the Police Force Ordinance penalizes such offence with a fine at level 1 ($2,000) and imprisonment for six months.

16 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work raids

 

Two of those arrested are led away for questioning

A total of 16 people were arrested in three consecutive days of anti-illegal work operations mounted by the Immigration Department.

Those arrested in raids carried out from Mar 31 to Apr 2 comprised 14 suspected illegal workers and two employers.

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and 10 women, aged 34 to 59. Among them, three women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

Two men, aged 35 and 67, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

A statement from Immigration again warned that violating a condition of stay in Hong Kong is a serious offence for which a prison sentence is prescribed.

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Those who are caught working while on tourist visas are not allowed to take up any work, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Those who are foreign domestic helper visas are also not allowed to take up work outside of their employer’s house.

Offenders who fall in these two types of categories face a maximum jail term of two years, and a fine of up to $50,000.

If the offender is an overstayer, non-refoulement claimant (asylum seeker) or an illegal immigrant face a higher prison term of up to three years, plus $50,000 fine.

The penalty is more severe if the illegal worker is also found in possession, or is using a fake HK identity card. The prescribed maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment and fine of $100,000.

Employers of illegal workers face more serious consequences, as the maximum fine that can be imposed is $500,000, apart from imprisonment for up to 10 years. An immediate custodial sentence is also prescribed.

 

 

DH freed after burglary conspiracy charge dropped

 

A Filipina domestic helper charged at Eastern Court with conspiracy to commit burglary, walked free yesterday after prosecutors withdrew the case.

M. A., 40 years old, was brought to court on suspicion that she conspired with an unknown person to enter her employer’s home in Hong Kong Parkview in Tai Tam, to steal $745,000 worth of items last Jan. 26.

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The police complaint filed last Feb. 11 accused her of letting in the “trespasser with intent to steal” one Patek Philippe watch, one Audemars Piguet watch, one gold ring and one gold necklace, with a total value of $745,300.

The case against her was violation of section 11(1)(a) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance.

With the charge withdrawn, Principal Magistrate Don So also cancelled the next hearing which was scheduled for April 8.

 

17 OFWs arrested at pro-Duterte gathering in Qatar get provisional release

 

Secretary Cacdac announcing the provisional release at a press con in Malacanang

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac has announced the provisional release of 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar last Friday, Mar 28, for wearing T-shirts proclaiming support for former President Rodrigo Duterte who is detained at The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.

Speaking at a press briefing in Malacanang, Cacdac said: “We are very, very thankful to the Qatari authorities, to the Qatari government for allowing the provisional release of the 17 as the investigations proceed.

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While police investigations into the case continue, the Philippine government will keep providing legal assistance to the detained Filipinos, Cacdac said.

Under Qatari law, those who join illegal gatherings could be sentenced to up to three years in jail.

The Philippine Embassy in Qatar advised the organizers to call off the gathering, says De Vega

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ed de Vega said those held originally in Qatar were 20 Filipinos. Three were released almost immediately as they were minors, while the remaining 17, comprising 12 males and five females, were detained for five days until their conditional release today.

De Vega said in an interview with ANC that the arrests took place in a pro-Duterte gathering held on a beach more than an hour away from the capital, Doha. A number of Filipinos were at the event, but only those wearing T-shirts showing support for Duterte were detained.

He denied reports that bail of P1 million was set for each of those arrested, and that Qatari authorities are anti-Duterte.

While the Duterte supporters gathered quietly far from the capital, he said social media posts were made to announce the event, which apparently sparked concern among Qatari authorities.

He reiterated that one of those detained held an expired visa, “but that was not the reason for his arrest.”

De Vega did not deny that the Philippine Embassy in Doha had prior knowledge of the gathering as it was announced on social media, but stressed that the staff there had advised the organizers not to push ahead with gathering as it was too dangerous.

He said a number complied with the request, but many others did not.

Contrary to what Duterte supporters claim, officers at the Embassy were not the ones who had tipped off Qatari police about the gathering.

“We had absolutely nothing to do with the arrests,” he said. “We’re not the ones in power. We cannot tell Qatari authorities to arrest them.

Both Cacdac and De Vega have warned Filipino workers overseas to observe the laws in their host countries.

“Ang mensahe ay mag-ingat lang po. Siguraduhing sundin ang batas, ang mga regulasyon ng host countries,” Cacdac said.

‘Green shirts’ warning by HK Police not verified, says PCG

 

Still shot from a video purporting to show HK police officers inspecting green shirts 

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong has said there has been “no definitive finding” on reports circulating in the community that Filipinos wearing green shirts were accosted by the police last Sunday, Mar. 30.

Videos shown on social media show a number of police officers approaching a group of Filipinos camped at what looked like Tamar near Central, and asking to inspect green shirts in their possession.

No arrests were apparently 

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A number of Filipino migrants groups gathered in several places across Hong Kong on this day to show support for former Philippine president Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is detained at The Hague by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Social media posts showed gatherings being held in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Repulse Bay.

Duterte’s 80^th birthday on Mar 28 sparked similar protests by Filipino groups at The Hague and several countries, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In Qatar, 20 Filipinos were arrested in a pro-Duterte beach gathering held just outside Doha.

Lady drivers in HK hold birthday party for Duterte, who turned 80 on Mar 28 (Facebook photo)

Vice Consul George Soriano who heads the assistance to nationals section said the initial information they got from the police was that the reports about green-shirted people being arrested “have been taken out of context.”

The police reportedly gave assurance that no significance was attached to the wearing of green shirts but promised to verify further with the frontline officers involved.

Soriano said an advisory or a clarification may be issued, depending on the police findings.

Hong Kong has recently tightened regulations against political gatherings, particularly in public places. Groups that recently invited candidates in the Philippines’ midterm election which starts on Apr 13 for overseas voters, have been told by police not to display banners or posters showing support for any candidate or political party.

However, Makabayan candidates managed to hold their proclamation rally in a Jordan hotel and a subsequent meet-up with Filipino community leaders in Central, while former President Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, held a bigger campaign rally in Wanchai’s Southorn Stadium on Mar 9.

 

 

 

PCG to close on Apr 9, 17-20

 

PCG advisory about the closures

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has announced that it will close on the following dates: Apr 9 for Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Apr 17 for Maundy Thursday, and Apr 20 for Easter Sunday.

However, since the PCG is closed regularly on Fridays and Saturdays, the Easter break will effectively run for four days at least, from Apr 17 to 20.

It could even extend to Easter Monday, Apr 21, which has always been in the list of public holidays in Hong Kong.  However, it is not included in the official list of dates when the PCG will be closed.

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Thus, migrant workers and all other people who need to transact business with the PCG will need to take this long break into account, and plan their visit there in advance.

The advisory also does not mention the Ching Ming holiday on Friday, Apr 4, as it is one of the two days when the PCG is closed as part of its regular schedule.

The PCG is given authority, in line with guidelines from the Department of Foreign Affairs, to close on certain public holidays in both the Philippines and Hong Kong.

For 2025, the DFA list has 20 days in the year when the PCG in Hong Kong will be closed, apart from its regular days off on Fridays and Saturdays. To see the dates, please check this link: https://hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph/89-holidays