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| The trial will be held at Eastern Court from Mar 11-13 |
The trial of two Filipinas who have denied a charge
each of “dealing with property known or believed to be proceeds of an
indictable offence” or more commonly known as money laundering, has been set on March 11 to 13 at Eastern Court.
Leonida C. Manlunas, 40 years old; and Nora Antonio
Reymundo, 47, were both allowed to extend their bail of $5,000 each until then.
Reymundo is accused of laundering a total of
$903,000 which passed through her account with HSBC between Feb 10, 2021 and
Mar 4, 2021. Manlunas is likewise charged with dealing with a total of $387,000
which was laundered through an HSBC account in her name between Dec. 18, 2020
and an. 8, 2021.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The money is believed to be proceeds of an online
love scam. Both Filipinas have denied knowing about the illicit source of the
money and of the transactions made using their respective bank accounts. They are supported by their employers in their bid to clear their names.
At the pre-trial review held at Eastern Court
earlier today, the prosecution said it would present three witnesses, and will
rely on the video recorded interview of the defendants by the police.
The defense, on the other hand, said it did not wish
to challenge the evidence that the prosecution wished to present, but it needed
more time to get the video interviews translated.
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| PINDUTIN |
The defense counsel also said that there is a
possibility that both defendants will be asked to give evidence during the
trial.
Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui agreed to the timeline
requested by both counsel, but reminded the defendants they needed to ensure
that they are represented again during the trial. They were also told to renew their
bail before leaving court.
The two Filipinas were assisted during the hearing by
a staff member of the Migrant Workers Office.
Separately, another Filipina domestic helper appeared
in Shatin Court, charged with laundering a total of $45,000 from Jun 28-30,
2021 using her Hang Seng Bank account.
No plea was taken from April Rose R. Sumaya, 41
years old, and her bail of $2,000 was extended until the next hearing of her case on Feb. 28.
Money laundering is a serious offence in Hong Kong, punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.
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| PADALA NA! |
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