Travel tax on Filipinos on way out

 

Overseas travel may soon become more affordable to most Filipinos with the tax scrapping

The travel tax long imposed on Filipinos traveling abroad appears to be on its way out, after both houses of Congress, as well as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., have indicated a willingness to approve a bill proposing its abolition.

The full travel tax amounts to Php1,620 for those traveling economy and Php2,700 for those on business class. It is reduced by half for children aged 2-12; and fixed at between Php300 and Php400 for dependents of overseas Filipino worker.

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The OFWs themselves, Filipino permanent residents of another country, and certain categories of travelers, are exempted from paying the tax.

In the latest indication that the travel tax may soon be a thing of the past, Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo said the House of Rerpresentatives is aiming to get it passed before the June break in its sessions.

Quimbo called the abolition a “no-brainer”, saying the government will earn far more from a potential boost in tourism and travel among Filipinos, than what it stands to lose in unrealized  income from the tax.

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In his estimates, the government could generate as much as Php22 billion from additional tax collections from travel agents and companies, which is a lot more than the projected loss of Php7.5 billion.

Just five days earlier, President Marcos included the bill among 21 priority measures of the government.

Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said the President supported the bill as he wanted to ease the financial burden on Filipino travelers and boost tourism earnings

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She also assured the public that the various sectors funded from the travel tax will get their allocation directly from the national budget.

According to law, 50% of the earnings from the travel levy goes to tourism infrastructure projects, 40 percent to higher education and 10 percent to promoting culture and heritage.

House Bill No 7443 titled “Travel Tax Abolition Act of 2026” was filed by Ilocos Representative and presidential son Sandro Marcos, and seeks to repeal Presidential Decree No 1183 (issued by his grandfather, the late Philippine President and dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos) and Sec 73 of Republic Act No 9593, also known as “Tourism Act of 2009.”

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If passed, the law shall prohibit any government agency or private entity from collecting travel tax upon its effectivity, as well as a refund for travelers whose travel date is scheduled on or after such date.

A counterpart measure was filed at the Senate by Senator Erwin Tulfo, who cited as reason the Philippines’ failure to abide by its commitment to the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which mandates the removal of travel levies and taxes on nationals of ASEAN member states.

The Philippines was one of the signatories of the agreement which was forged in 2009.

A separate bill was filed earlier by Senator Raffy Tulfo, which called for the scrapping of travel tax for economy class passengers, but not for those traveling on business or first class, saying this makes the law equitable.

Senator Joel Villanueva also expressed public support for the move, saying the tax was imposed at a time when travel was a luxury that only a few Filipinos could afford.

Now that overseas travel has become popular and affordable to many, the tax only serves to impose an undue burden on them, he said.

Pinoy fails to convince High Court he’s being hunted by Duterte’s men

 

The High Court 

A Filipino who claimed he was being hunted by personnel of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has failed to convince the High Court to review the dismissal of his non-refoulement case by the Torture Claims Appeal Board.

C.J. Arzaga, who has been treated for depression and HIV infection while in jail, does not meet the criteria for preventing Hong Kong from sending him back to the Philippines, the court said in a decision signed by Alfred Chan on order from Deputy High Court Judge Katina Levy.

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The Board found no evidence of a genuine risk of torture, persecution, or violation of the right to life if returned to the Philippines, the court said in a decision released on Friday (Feb. 13).

Arzaga had claimed he feared for his life because a friend, Jerry, was killed by police and another friend, Glay, was arrested for drug-related offenses. He said he was warned by family members that Philippine police were inquiring about his whereabouts, leading him to believe he was at risk.

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The Board concluded that the Philippine government could provide protection if he sought assistance.

Moving to another place was also a viable option to mitigate any perceived risks, it added.

When asked during a hearing last Jan. 26 if he had anything to add to support his leave application, Arzaga said his life was still in danger. This, the court said, flies in the face of the Board’s finding that he had never encountered these people, let alone having been mistreated by them.

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“As the Courts have repeatedly stated, a finding of fact is exclusively within the realm of the Board, which a court in a judicial review will not interfere with unless such finding involved an error of law, procedural unfairness or irrationality,” it added.

Arzaga was arrested in January 2020 and convicted of possession of forged identity card, possession of Part I poison, and breach of condition of stay.

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When he was serving his sentence in Tong Fuk Prison he was diagnosed with depression, HIV and tuberculosis.  

He was released from jail on Sept. 5, 2020, has since been cleared of depression and is being treated for HIV and tuberculosis. 

Filipina gets suspended sentence for securing loan by fraud

 

West Kowloon Court

A Filipina domestic helper who applied for a loan based on an employment contract that had been terminated, has been meted a suspended sentence of four months imprisonment for fraud.

Isabilita Arellano, 33 years old, received a sentence suspended for three years, since she had paid the loan in full.

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This means she wil be free unless she commits another offense within the three years.

She may have avoided getting jailed, but the record of her conviction will be a permanents stain on her stay in Hong Kong.

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The sentence was handed down by Principal Magistrate Don So  Man-lung at West kowloon Court Friday (Feb. 13) on Arellano’s violation of Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.

The provision prescribes a jail sentence of up to 14 years.

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Arellano was charged with applying for a loan of $28,000 from PrimeCredut Limited on Nov. 17, 2024 “by falsely representing to the staff of ‘Prime Credit Limited’, that at the time of (her) application for a loan of HK$28,000-HKD, (she) had been employed as a domestic helper with validity period from 2024-05-09 to 2026-05-09.and your employment contract was still valid.”

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The claim induced the staff of PrimeCredit Limited “to commit an act or make an omission, namely, to approve the aforesaid loan application, resulting in benefit to you, or a prejudice or a substantial risk of prejudice to the said PrimeCredit Limited,” the charge sheet said.

Labatt Chavez reminds recruiters to help protect OFWs

 

Labatt Chavez reminds agencies they are MWO's partner in looking after OFWs

Philippine Labor Attache to Hong Kong Cesar L. Chavez has reminded Hong Kong employment agencies accredited with the Department of Migrant Workers that it is their job to look after the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

He made his statement when he met with representatives of 333 accredited agencies during two separate sessions on Feb. 12, his first since assuming his post last December. A brief write-up on the day-long meetings was posted on the Facebook page of the Migrant Workers Office.

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“I remind you of your contractual and moral obligations. You are in the business of human resources. Look after these workers and protect the welfare of our OFWs,” said Labatt Chavez.

He reminded the agencies that they are partners of the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of OFWs. 

Their responsibilities include the immediate reporting of significant incidents involving OFWs.

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In a separate meeting with Filipino media groups in Hong Kong earlier, the labor chief said he had suspended the employment agency of an OFW who was repeatedly assaulted in public by her employer, as shown in videos that quickly went viral.

In the last assault that reportedly happened near the Olympic MTR station, police were called by concerned passersby. Police said they arrested the employer but allowed her to post bail until the next hearing of the assault charge.

Labatt Chavez said the agency that placed the Filipina should have notified the authorities about the assault immediately so the Filipina would have been rescued earlier. 

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“I don’t need partners that are non-compliant, hindi pwede yung pera-pera lang,” (not those who are only after the money) he said. 

Labatt Chavez was joined in the meeting by top officialso of the MWO and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Hong Kong.

The forum also gave recruiters the opportunity to raise their concerns directly with the Philippines’ top labor envoy in Hong Kong.

Pinay gets 'enhanced' sentence of 15 months in jail for money laundering

 

The stiffer sentence was handed down at Fanling Magistrates' Court

A Filipina former domestic helper who denied complicity in the transfer of more than $300,000 in tainted money in her bank account was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 15 months in prison at Fan Ling Magistracy yesterday, Feb. 12.

Emilyn B. Olarte, 40 years old, was found to have dealt with a total of HK$321,352.22 in criminal proceeds, in an account in her name with ZA Bank Limited, between Oct 12, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024.

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She pleaded not guilty to one count of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to sections 25 (1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

But after trial, Magistrate Kenneth Chan found her guilty of the offence, and imposed the standard 15 months’ jail term for money laundering in which the amount involved was around $300,000.

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No discount was given as she chose to dispute the charge.

Sentences for money laundering have been increased or "enhanced" at the behest of police and the Department of Justice because of the increasing number of cases of this nature.

However, just yesterday, HK Police Commissioner Joe Chow told the Legislative Council that fraud cases fell 2.9 percent overall last year, the first time a decline was recorded since 2019.

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Olarte was assisted in her case by the assistance to nationals team of the Philippine Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong.

 

Bethune House flooded with requests for Disneyland treat

 

Apart from the free park tickets, lucky FDWs will get 2 meal vouchers and $50 in Octopus credit

The Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge (Bethune House) has issued an advisory saying it will not entertain any calls on its hotline regarding the free Disneyland package from Li Ka Shing Foundation and HK Disnelyand that it is helping to distribute.

Bethune House said it was delighted that it was chosen as one of three charity groups that will serve as the donors’ partners in distributing the free Disneyland packages to 5,000 migrant workers.

But it said it would set up an online registration for the Disney treats at a later date, through its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/share/16p6W1YkX2/ and website: bethunehouse.org

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Meantime, it said it wanted “to inform the migrant domestic workers community and their employers that as at the moment, we shall not entertain calls  (93380035) that pertains to the free Disneyland package until further notice.”

The two other non-governmental organizations chosen to help distribute the Disneyland packaged treats were Christian Action and Indonesian Migrant Workers Union.

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Aside from complimentary entrance tickets to HK Disneyland, each free packages includes vouchers for two full meals and snacks at the park, as well as an Octopus card with $50 load.

This is third consecutive year that Li Ka Shing Foundation and HK Disneyland have treated FDWs at the park, in recognition of their valuable contribution to Hong Kong society.

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Last January HK Disneyland also issued free entrance tickets to FDWs in distress as well as health care providers. Among the beneficiaries were the victims of the massive fire in Tai Po last year that killed 116 people.

 

CNY fireworks display to be held at 8pm on February 18

 

Photo shows scene eight: "Triumphant Achievement".

The 2026 Chinese New Yearf fireworks display on Victoria Harbor at 8pm on Feb. 18 will be the center of events being lined up through the Lantern Festival on March 3 to welcome the Year of the Horse.

The display can be seen from vantage points on both sides of the harbour, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Hung Hom.  It will have 31,888 firing shells to be discharged in a 23-minute extravaganza synchronized with the music broadcast by Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9).

In addition to the fireworks, a number of festivals are being laid out to transform Hong Kong with large-scale decorations and traditional performances, such as:

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International Night Parade: Held on Feb. 17 in Tsim Sha Tsui, featuring world-class floats and performances.

Lantern Displays: A major lantern display is held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza (Feb 12 – Mar 15), featuring traditional craftsmanship and themes like horses and lions. Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai is also famous for its dense "sea" of red lanterns.

Flower Markets: Operating the week leading up to CNY, the largest is in Victoria Park (Causeway Bay). Locals visit to buy "lucky" plants like peach blossoms (romance), kumquat trees (wealth), and orchids (abundance).

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Mall Decorations: Major malls like Harbour City, Pacific Place, and Festival Walk install elaborate thematic displays, often collaborating with brands or artists for unique photo spots.

The CNY fireworks display is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and is sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

This year's theme, "Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong", will be presented in eight distinctive scenes.

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The opening scene, "Galloping into the New Year", features a high-density burst of fireworks resembling galloping horses charging forward, setting an energetic tone for the show.

Following that, layers of shells build up to evoke the grandeur of thousands of horses in motion, symbolising a promising start to the Year of the Horse.

In the third  scene, "Celebrating the New Spring Together", the sky above Victoria Harbour will bloom with the number "8" fireworks and golden ingot patterns, conveying wishes for wealth, prosperity, and abundance in the new year.

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The fourth scene, "Vision of Harmony", features star-like fireworks drifting across the sky like peaceful horses galloping toward the horizon, symbolizing love and hope for the world. This scene concludes with the Chinese character "吉" (meaning "good fortune"), sending blessings to Hong Kong.

 The grand finale, "Triumphant Achievement", will feature majestic crown-shaped fireworks followed by a rapid-fire sequence of high-density bursts, delivering best wishes for the prosperity of the nation and good fortune for all.

HK Police reports drop in scam cases

 

Police Commissioner Joe Chow reports on crime situation at LegCo

Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Police Joe Chow has told the Legislative Council’s security panel that fraud cases fell by 2.9 percent overall last year, marking its first drop since 2019.

However, they still made up nearly half of all crimes recorded in 2025 and the total losses amounted to a still hefty amount of HK$8.1 billion.

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Online shopping scams which accounted for nearly 30 percent of all scam cases, bucked the declining trend, rising 8.2 percent year-on-year, partly due to a surge in concert ticket scams.

But the heaviest losses amounting to more than HK$3.5 billion resulted from investment scams, with mainland students as the main targets. Chow said cases involving the students rose by 3.6 times.

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"It's not just mainland students [falling victim to scams]. For the general public, the total amount of money lost due to online investment scams was the most among all kinds of deception cases," Chow said.

Because of this, police are now giving more attention to online investment scams, he added.

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The police commissioner also said there were more than 8,800 cases of violent crime last year, which reflected a drop of nearly 16 percent from 2024.

As regards national security cases, Wong said since the National Security Law was passed in 2020, a total of 385 people have been arrested, with more than half of them prosecuted.

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He said the police will continue to resolutely take action against those who attempt to endanger national security.

Li Ka Shing Foundation to treat 5k FDWs to Disneyland

 

FDW victims of the Tai Po fire were among those invited to HK Disneyland on Jan 4 this year

For the third year in a row, the Li Ka Shing Foundation, in cooperation with Hong Kong Disneyland, will treat 5,000 foreign domestic workers to an all-expenses paid visit to Disneyland.

But this time around, FDWs from various nationalities will get the chance to experience the thrill of exploring the “happiest place on earth”, with their transportation fare and meals all paid for.

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For the two visit dates set for March 29 and April 12, each participant will receive a one-day admission ticket to Hong Kong Disneyland, meal vouchers covering two full meals and one special snack, and an Octopus card for transportation to and from the resort.

Three non-governmental organizations have been tapped to choose and invite the lucky FDWs who will get to join the visit: Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, Bethune House, and Christian Action.

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Previously, the treat was enjoyed mostly by Filipino migrant workers, along with some Indonesians.

This time, the invitation will be extended to a wider range of nationalities, including Indians, Sri Lankans, Nepalis and Thais, so the number of tickets has also been increased by 1,000 from the previous 4,000.

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Since 2024 the Li Ka Shing Foundation and HK Disneyland have been teaming up annually to entertain and pay tribute to 4,000 of the city’s hardworking FDW population. With the expanded invitation, the number of participants was increased to 5,000 this year.

Separately, on Jan 4 and 25 this year, Hong Kong Disneyland invited thousands of FDWs as part of the celebrations for its 20^th founding anniversary.

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Among those who were invited through the Mission for Migrant Workers and Bethune Hous were FDW survivors of the deadly fire in Tai Po last year.