The SUN HK : 2 Filipinas deny 10 charges of violating anti-Covid, Immigration laws

The 2 Filipinas were arrested inside a pub in Fai Man building in Central

The three-day trial of two Filipinas who are facing 10 charges following their arrest by police in a pub in Central in March last year, began today at Eastern Court with both pleading not guilty as each charge was read and translated to them.

One of them, Jenivib Balanggao, did not agree even to a list of facts that her lawyers and the prosecutors had agreed not to dispute. She changed her mind after a member of her defense team whispered to her, and she was asked again if she agreed with the facts.

Balanggao, 34 years old, and her co-accused, Mary May Soriano, 38 years old, were arrested in a two-day police operation on March 12 and 13, 2021 in a pub on the second floor of Fai Man Bulding, 9-13 Li Yuen Street West (otherwise known to Filipinos as Ale-ale) in Central.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Balanggao, who was on recognizance (or resisting being sent back home) when arrested, and Soriano, a tourist, are both former domestic helpers. They are out on bail of $2,000 each.

Magistrate Edward Wong spent most of the morning listing and qualifying the witnesses and evidence to be presented by both prosecution and defense lawyers, before calling the first prosecution witness -- the policeman who arrested Balanggao.

He said he arrived at the building at 2pm of March 12 and spent the next four hours monitoring the entrance through a CCTV monitor on the roof of the building.

He and another police officer then entered through the pub’s open door at about 6pm, and found a Filipino man and woman drinking beer on a table and a Chinese man on another table. On both tables were beer bottles, both empty and unopened.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

He said he entered another door that led to the kitchen and found three women who were eating; one of them was Balanggao.

He demanded that all the people found in the pub show their keys, and one of these, which he took from the handbag of Balanggao, was able to lock and unlock the front door.

Balanggao and Soriano are facing the following 10 charges:

Press for details

Selling liquor without a license on March 12, 2021, in violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Possession of liquor for sale without a license on March 12, 2021, in violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Failing to comply with the direction of the Secretary of Food and Health, in violation of the Prevention of Control of Diseases (Business and Premises) Regulations. They were accused of carrying on a catering business when, on March 12, 2021, such establishments were ordered closed as part of anti-Covid-19 measures.
MAY CHANCE KA PANG MANALO!
Knowingly allowing a prohibited group gathering to take place on March 12, in a place they controlled or operated, in violation of the Prevention of Control of Diseases (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulations.
Selling liquor without a license on March 13, 2021, in violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Possession of liquor for sale without a license on March 13, 2021, in violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Failing to comply with the direction of the Secretary of Food and Health, in violation of the Prevention of Control of Diseases (Business and Premises) Regulations. They were accused of carrying on a catering business when, on March 13, 2021, such establishments were ordered closed as part of anti-Covid-19 measures.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

Knowingly allowing a prohibited group gathering to take place on March 13, in a place they controlled or operated, in violation of the Prevention of Control of Diseases (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulations.
In the case of Balanggao, violating the Immigration Ordinance for taking employment or establishing a business between 12th and 13^th of March 2021, when she was prohibited to do so, being a person subject to a removal order.
In the case of Soriano, breach of condition of stay for taking employment or establishing a business between 12th and 13^th of March 2021, when she was prohibited to do so, being a tourist.

Both women denied all the allegations, including their alleged illegal sale and possession of alcoholic drinks, and of having violated Regulation 599F, which restricts the operating hours of certain businesses; and 599C, which restricts group gatherings.

The trial continues tomorrow.