Accused illegal recruiter Mabatid fails in cyberlibel bid against The SUN editor

 

Mandap with her lawyers from FLAG, Atty Ed Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes, 
submitted a hefty counter-affidavit, which led to the 3 cyberlibel cases being junked

The baseless persecution is over. A Cebu City judge has quashed three cyberlibel cases filed by PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. founder Prisca Nina Mabatid against The SUN editor and lawyer Daisy CL Mandap for lack of probable cause.

The decision by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon B. Daomilas, Jr. was promulgated on November 11, on the same day the Department of Justice in Manila indicted Mabatid, her partner Russ Mark Gamallo and four others, for large-scale illegal recruitment and multiple counts of estafa. (Find the story here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/search?q=Mabatid+large+scale+illegal+recruitment)

Judge Daomilas’s decision ended Mabatid’s attempt to silence The SUN in reporting about numerous complaints filed against her by Filipinos in Hong Kong and in the Philippines, over her group’s allegedly fraudulent offer of work-study visas to Canada.

Judge Daomilas' decision ends Mabatid's libel claims against Mandap

Reacting to the dismissal of the cases, Mabatid committed yet another flagrant disregard for the law when she made the baseless and malicious claim in a public Facebook post on December 4 that The SUN is “notorious for extorting money” and has persistently spread falsehoods against her since 2023.

In truth, The SUN Hong Kong has maintained a spotless record in the 29 years that it has been in circulation.  Mandap has even received two prestigious awards attesting to her exemplary work for the Filipino community in Hong Kong:  a Hong Kong Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service in 2011, and a Distinguished Alumna in Public Service from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2014.

In contrast, Mabatid has been publicly censured in two recent cases, one where she was held administratively liable for ordering City Hall staff to sell poultry amid the pandemic, and the second was a Supreme Court judgment allowing the nullity of her marriage on the ground of her repeated infidelity. Links below: 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/cebu/seares-ex-councilor-ni%C3%B1a-mabatid-found-guilty

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/234279.pdf

Mabatid also insisted, in defiance of Judge Daomilas’ ruling and a lack of understanding of the country’ judicial process, that Mandap is still facing cyberlibel charges and has three live warrants of arrest issued against her.

In truth, Mabatid’s only cause of action now is to go to the Court of Appeals on certiorari to assail the judge’s decision - on shaky ground.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK on Feb 19, 2023 was well-publicized

Judge Daomila’s decision came just over a month after Cebu City prosecutors, on reinvestigation, recommended on October 10, 2024, the dismissal of the cyberlibel complaints filed by Mabatid against Mandap in July 2023, for lack of probable cause.

The complaints stemmed from three articles published in The SUN about a group of overseas Filipino workers demanding a refund of the Php132,000 they each paid Mabatid and her companies, PCVC/Opportunities Abroad for the student visas promised them that never materialized.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK was captured live on video, and posted on YouTube

The first article dealt with a confrontation between the claimants and Mabatid, witnessed by Hong Kong police officers; the second on Mabatid’s failure to show up as promised at the Philippine Consulate to refund their money; and the third was over calls by Unifil-Migrante to have Mabatid charged for large-scaled illegal recruitment and money laundering.

After the HK complaints, Migrante Intl staged a protest against Mabatid's alleged
 illegal recruitment and fraud across the country which led to DOJ to investigate

Assistant City Prosecutor Cesar C. Gariando who recommended the dismissal of all three charges, noted that “while the complainant is claiming that the subject articles are false, not a single piece of evidence was adduced by her in support thereof.”

Fiscal Gariando added, “On the other hand, respondent Mandap adduced voluminous evidence (annexes 7  to 41) in support of her defense that the news articles are not defamatory against the complainant but deal only with the complaints filed by OFWs working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong that were reported to the government.”

Fiscal Gariando says Mabatid failed to produce a single evidence to support her claim

“With the amount of evidence adduced by respondent Mandap, it cannot be concluded that the subject articles were mere unsubstantiated attacks on the complainant as what the previous investigating prosecutor found in the assailed Joint Resolution. Rather, the subject articles can be considered fair commentaries on matters of public interest, which are likewise privileged as the news articles talk about the plight of concerned OFWs being scammed while abroad,” continued the prosecutor.

Judge Daomilas ordered a reinvestigation and quashed the warrants of arrest on July 16, 2024 at the request of Mandap, a permanent resident of Hong Kong who said she never received a copy of the complaints which were purportedly sent to her address in Quezon City. 

She became aware of the case only when she went to the Philippines for a visit in March 2024, and received a letter from the Cebu City prosecutors informing her of a resolution dated October 24, 2023 indicting her for three counts of cyberlibel, had been promulgated.

Mandap (with her back turned) is shown talking to Mabatid in HK on June 18, 2023
after complainants called the police for help in demanding a refund 

On March 6, 2024, Mandap file a motion for reinvestigation and another for a stay of proceedings on the ground of lack of due process. These were then followed up in court by her lawyers from Free Legal Assistance Group, Atty Edmund Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes.

In her counter-affidavit, Mandap refuted all of Mabatid’s claims, including the allegation that the articles were politically motivated. She said she never met Mabatid until June 18, 2023, when was asked by the Hong Kong complaints to witness their attempt to ask for a refund of the money they paid for the study-work visa that did not materialize  

Mandap showed proof that several other media publications in Hong Kong had written about the same complaints made by some 50 Filipino migrant workers against Mabatid, which were cited in The SUN articles. (Sample of a news article from Dimsum Daily in HK i here: https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/at-least-50-filipino-domestic-helpers-in-hong-kong-allegedly-scammed-by-pinoycare-visa-centre-in-the-philippines/)

Screen shot of the Dimsum Daily article

In addition, she attached a copy of Senate Resolution No.905 authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo, directing the appropriate Senate Committee to Conduct an Inquiry in Aid of Legislation on the Alleged Illegal Practices of PinoyCare Visa Center and Other Recruitment Agencies Exploiting the Student Visa-To Work Permit Pathway. (See the full text here: https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4329239383!.pdf )

A copy of the Subpoena Ad Testificandum issued to Prisca Nina Mabatid, Founder of PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. to respond to the allegations at a hearing on February 13, 2024 by the Senate Committeeon Migrant Workers, was also attached to Mandap's pleadings.

Subpoena issued to Mabatid to appear at Senate Committee hearing

Mandap also presented video recordings, sworn statements by the OFW-complainants and their case officer at the Mission for Migrant Workers, a letter from the Hong Kong Police and a certificate from the Consulate, to belie Mabatid’s claim that she never undertook any recruitment seminar in Hong Kong.

HK complainants come face to face with Mabatid outside the orientation venue in June 2023

In her complaint, Mabatid claimed she was in Hong Kong to celebrate Father's Day with her family, and just happened to be at the venue where PCVC-Opportunities Abroad was holding an orientation seminar on June 18, 2023 because she was supposed to meet a friend there. She said she merely helped the police with their inquiries, which lasted about three hours, being a good citizen.

Mabatid claims she is not connected with PCVC and was in HK only to celebrate Father's Day

But this was countered by Mandap by attaching to her counter-affidavit voluminous documents belying Mabatid's claim. 

Among the documents she submitted were Securities and Exchange Commission certificates issued to PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. and Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services, Inc. which clearly showed Mabatid’s connections to both.

PCVC registration shows Mabatid is the majority stockholder in the company

The PCVC certificate issued on May 24, 2011 shows her as its founder, major stockholder and chief executive officer. The one issued to OAVPS on March 13, 2023 (which was nearly a month after Mabatid and her group collected money from the OFW complainants in HK)  shows the CEO as her former partner, Clark Jueco, and her relatives including her mother, as incorporators.

Curiously, in the DOJ Resolution indicting Mabatid and five of her associates, Gamallo was cited as claiming to be its CEO and President, and not their co-accused, Jueco. Gamallo and their three other co-accused , Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor Caingles and Noverna “Bernie”  Uy, also claimed to be the incorporators of OAVPS and not Mabatid’s mother and three other relatives.

OAVPSI certificate showing the real incorporators were mostly Mabatid's close relatives

Aside from dismissing the complaints against her, Mandap asked the City Prosecutor to immediately initiate an investigation into the “perjurious statements” made my Mabatid in her three sworn statements to support her complaints for cyberlibel.

Apparently alarmed by the order to reinvestigate the case, Gamallo, acting for OAVPS, made a last-ditch bid to file another complaint for cyberlibel against Mandap. 

Basahin ang detalye!

However, the complaint was summarily dismissed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rodulph Joseph Val J. Carrillo on October 9, 2024, who ruled that there was no probable cause to file the case in court. SACP Carrillo said the article Gamallo had complained of was “mainly a narration of facts and what remarks are made are based on the narration.”

Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Luisa G. Ratilla approved the recommendation dismissing the complaint on October 24.

Opportunities Abroad flyer showing its offer of study & work visa in Canada in 3 months

In recommending for dismissal of the main cases filed by Mabatid, Fiscal Gariando said: “it is a defense to an action for libel that the words complained of are a fair comment on a matter of public interest. The reason for this is that the freedom of speech is not only one of the constitutional rights of a person but it is also absolutely essential to the democratic rules under the aegis of which our libel law was evolved… Hence, the jealous vigilance with which the free play of open criticism upon all matters of public interest is safeguarded.”

The Department of Migrant Workers has issued warnings against PCVC

The fiscal recommended not just the dismissal of the complaints against Mandap, but also of the three informations filed with the court dated Oct 24, 2023, indicting her for cyberlibel.

His recommendation was submitted for approval by SACP Carrillo and affirmed by DCP Ratilla. In less than a month, Judge Daomilas concurred in their findings and ordered all the cases dismissed.

Mabatid, Gamallo & 4 others charged with large-scale illegal recruitment

 

Mabatid (in white) is confronted by OFW-applicants in HK 
who asked  for police help to demand a refund

The Philippine Justice Department has filed large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa charges against Cebu-based recruiters led by former Cebu City councilor Prisca Nina Mabatid, for allegedly offering   jobs to Canada in the guise of student visas, to 11 complainants.

Named as Mabatid’s co-accused in the case were her partner, lawyer Russ Mark T. Gamallo, Clark M. Jueco, Vincent Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor A. Caingles and Noverna “Bernie” S. Uy.

They were all indicted for allegedly using Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services Inc., a company not licensed with the Department of Migrant Workers, to promise jobs in Canada to the complainants in the guise of student visas.

After being told to pay at least Php104,000 (US$1,700) each, the complainants were made to sign a  memorandum of agreement (MOA) which stipulated that they could not claim a refund for whatever happened to their applications.

I-CLICK DITO

Mabatid and Gamallo are also accused of about 20 overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong of having duped them into applying for student visas in Canada, saying they were to go there on a "study-work program." The recruitment activity on Feb. 19, 2023 is fully recorded on video by some of the applicants.

Also named in the complaints filed with the Hong Kong Police and the Philippine Consulate General is former overseas Filipino worker and known blogger Bryan Calagui.

The DOJ complainants are shown at a rally against Mabatid organized
by Migrante International, which helped them pursue thier case

Large-scale illegal recruitment is a non-bailable offence punished with life imprisonment under Sec 6 of RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by R.A. No 110022.

Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code is punishable with imprisonment ranging from a few months to several years, depending on the gravity of the offence and the amount involved.

In Mabatid’s case, the DOJ recommended that she be indicted for four counts of syndicated illegal recruitment and four counts of estafa, for her "active participation" in four orientations, either as speaker, moderator, designated contact person or recipient of the payments.

Gamallo, along with Hechanova, Caingles, Uy and Jueco were deemed liable for the illegal recruitment of seven applicants.

PINDUTIN DITO

"They admitted to being aware of their company's advertisement campaigns/orientations and have actively participated therein either as speakers, signatory to the MOAs and MOUs, (memorandum of understanding) or recipients of the payments of the complaints," said the Resolution.

Gamallo is indicted for seven counts of syndicated illegal recruitment and seven counts of estafa.

Hechanova is charged with seven counts of illegal recruitment, one count of simple illegal recruitment, and eight counts of estafa.

Basahin ang detalye!

Uy faces the most number of charges: eight counts of syndicated illegal recruitment  and one count of simple illegal recruitment, plus nine counts of estafa. 

Finally, Jueco was indicted for eight counts each of syndicated illegal recruitment  and estafa as he admitted  signing the MOAs that the complainants were made to sign.

The indictment

The case arose from the complaints filed by Adolfo P. Taol, Amihan R. Alvarez, Lara Mae M Tamio, Timothy Paul Prudente, Ronel G. Robles, Vianca A. Doce, Eduardo F. Corpuz, Jr., Marlon C. Aloc, Freia Gin B. Jardencio, Jelene Mhay Raqueno, and Nerceilen D. Cotillon.

They claimed to have been enticed to apply for the study-work scheme by the accused using  OAVPSI, during recruitment seminars held in various parts of the country, including Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Ilocos Sur.

Ten of the complainants were found to have provided sufficient ground for the filing of charges against the accused. However, Raqueno’s complaint was dismissed because she made no mention in her complaint-affidavit and during the clarificatory hearing that she was promised a job in Canada.

The successful claimants who said they learned about the recruitment through Facebook and other social media, claimed they were assured by the respondents that they could work in Canada to support their studies and living expenses.

In addition, they were allegedly promised they could get student visas in just three months, and that they would be granted a loan of Php1 million each as “show money” to support their application for the visa.

After being forced to sign the MOA, they said the respondents made no genuine effort to help them secure the promised visa. They were also denied their requests for a refund.

Mabatid's flyer for her recruitment session in HK clearly promises visa in 3 months

The complainants said they were enticed to enlist because the group was supported in its recruitment drive by local government units and some Public Service Employment Office (PESO) branches.

Mabatid and her co-accused also told the applicants they had the support of powerful politicians like President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Senator Raffy Tulfo and entertainment personality Willie Revillame in their recruitment activities.

In their defense, the respondents said they were not engaged in any recruitment activity as they only offered student visas and not employment. As proof, the complainants should have presented employment contracts detailing the alleged job offer, in line with Philippine laws, according to them.

Mabatid also denied any affiliation with OAVPSI, but said she assisted in setting up the company whose president and CEO is Gamallo, and not Jueco as alleged by the complainants. She also claimed that the reason the complainants' applications did not prosper was because they chose not to pursue them.

However, the DOJ said, “The mere denial of the respondents that they are not engaged in any recruitment activity cannot prevail over the complainants’ positive identification of the respondents as the persons who made representations to them to have the capability of sending them to Canada for schooling and employment.”

Further, it said that the illegal recruitment in this case is deemed committed by a syndicate as it was sufficiently established that more than three persons in this particular instance, acted together in the illegal recruitment of the complainants.

The respondents were also deemed to have committed estafa for having made fraudulent representation to entice the applicants to part with their money.

The resolution was made by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan B. Azarcon and approved by Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon.

After the Resolution is submitted in court, the judge may immediately issue warrants of arrest against the accused. But they may hold it off by submitting a motion for reconsideration to Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla within 15 days after receipt.

 

Call us!

 

Tulfo urges faster action on Mabatid's case as NBI seeks help for complainants

 By Daisy CL Mandap

Tulfo wants the case against PCVC and Mabatid resolved by next month

An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation has asked Senator Raffy Tulfo who heads the Senate Committee for Migrant Workers, to better protect victims of illegal recruiters and law enforcers tasked with helping them, saying those they complain about resort to harassment and intimidation to prevent their being hauled to court.

Agent PaulFred Tombali suggested to Senator Tulfo during a committee hearing on Monday, Aug 12,on several cases of unresolved illegal recruitment, that complainants as well as investigators in these cases should be given immunity from suit.

Basahin ang detalye!

In reply, Tulfo said investigators should act more quickly on the complaints so cases could be filed immediately, and warrants of arrests issued accordingly, against the culprits.

Tombali cited as an example a recent attempt by Prisca Nina Mabatid, named as chief executive officer of PinoyCare Visa Center and Opportunities Abroad, to get Cebu City prosecutors to recommend the filing of unjust vexation chages against three complainants against her and her associates.

Tombali is asking immunity for complainants, investigators

Luckily, the Cebu prosecutors decided to dismiss her complaint on June 18 without even conducting a preliminary investigation, citing a lack of probable cause. The fiscals mentioned that the respondents were merely asserting their right as alleged victims of an illegal recruitment, a case that was brought up not only in the media, but also during a Senate hearing.

In a separate briefing with OFW complainants in Hong Kong last month, a DMW official disclosed that even they were receiving threats for pursuing the cases. 

The three complainants are pursuing a case of large-scale illegal recruitment and syndicated estafa against Mabatid and PCVC staff Adam Hechanova, Ma Teresa Binghay and Jhearlyn Jabellana, for allegedly luring them to pay around P139,000 each, after promising them student visas to Canada which never materialized.

Tombali, who is tasked with pursuing the various complaints against Mabatid and her PCVC group, said it would also help if they are given more funding to help the complainants, some of whom have to travel far to attend hearings and investigations.

Apart from a case filed on behalf of the three by the Department of Migrant Workers with the Laguna Prosecutors Office, the NBI has recommended the filing of similar charges against Mabatid and several other people with the Department of Justice in Manila.

Asked by Tulfo on the progress of the investigation, Tombali said the case was already submitted for resolution by the DoJ last month. On further prompting, he said it is possible a decision on whether a case will be filed in court will be issued by September.

Mabatid often posts photos of her with powerful politicians like Tulfo on social media

“Aabangan ko yan,” (I will watch out for that) said Tulfo, who added he wanted warrants of arrest to be issued against the accused, and for them to be put on the Immigration watchlist “kasi ayaw ko naman na patuloy silang mag re recruit.”

Large-scale illegal recruitment and syndicated estafa are both non-bailable offences for which the prescribed maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

Earlier, Tulfo complained that it was taking the investigators a long time to act against the alleged illegal recruiters who he said had connived with some local government officials and even dared use his name, in perpetuating the alleged scam.

The Senate hearing also focused on complaints by dozens of would-be OFWs who claimed to have been illegally recruited by a certain Francia Bagasan who promised them jobs in Canada and Japan, but were abandoned after paying up to P130,000 each in processing fees.

The complainants said that a certain Joel Capua, who took part in the recruitment, had claimed to be an employee of the Bureau of Immigration. This claim was subsequently denied by the BI during an interview.

Responding to the complaints, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said many illegal recruiters are able to victimize a lot of people because of their grassroots-level connections. He said government agencies should step up their information dissemination at this level to curb the problem.

“Yung kanilang kakayahang manghikayat, ‘yung tamis ng kanilang mga dila at mga pangako, ‘101%,’ ‘yung mga ganoon, marami pa ring kumakagat sa mga ganong pain. Maaaring hindi fully or adequately informed, so I will still attribute this to a continuing information platform or program,” said Cacdac.

Cacdac says information at the grassroots is important to trump illegal recruitment

(There are still many Filipinos who take the bait because of recruiters’ ability to convince, and their sweet words and promises like “101%.” It is likely they are still not fully or adequately informed, so I will still attribute this to the need for a continuing information platform or program).

Cacdac mentioned a “barangay-level intervention” program with the Department of the Interior and Local government which aims to put a stop to this practice, saying that some barangays, wittingly or unwittingly, become active participants in illegal recruitment.

Call us!

DMW endorses illegal recruitment complaints against Mabatid

Vice Consul Gino Soriano administers oath to the HK complainants 

Twelve Filipino domestic workers from Hong Kong claiming to have been victimized by Cebu-based businesswoman Prisca Nina Mabatid and her visa consultancy firm took their oath before Vice Consul George Mariano Soriano at the Consulate last Sunday, June 23, ahead of the expected  filing of their complaint with the Department of Justice in the Philippines.

The 12 are among more than 20 overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong who sought the help of the Mission for Migrant Workers after they were allegedly duped into paying P132,000 each in February 2023 on the pretext that they would be helped to get into Canada to work while on student visas.

Apart from Mabatid, named respondents in their complaint were lawyer Russ Mark Gamallo, her alleged partner in the PCVC/Opportunities Abroad visa consultancy firm, and OFW blogger Bryan Calagui.

TAWAG NA!

The complainants have submitted sworn statements and various evidence including videos and photos taken during the alleged recruitment drive to the Department of Migrant Workers, which previously sent a team of investigators to Hong Kong to look into their complaints.

With help from the Mission, the complainants have also filed complaints with the Hong Kong Police and the Immigration Department. Consulate officials recently informed the group that their case has already been endorsed by the police to the Department of Justice for the possible filing of charges.

The video-recorded oath-taking was carried out at the request of Migrante International in the Philippines, which is assisting a number of complainants against Mabatid and several other people who allegedly collected no less than P100,000 from each of them, in exchange for the false promise of securing them student visas in Canada.

Mabatid's flyer for her Feb 19, 2023 'orientation' in Hong Kong

One of the cases handled by Migrante involves three complainants, one of whom claims to have been recruited in Oman. Their case has been taken up by the DMW and filed directly with the City Prosecutor’s Office in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Named respondents in their complaint apart from Mabatid were Adam Hechanova, Ma. Teresa Binghay and Jhearlyn Jabellana. The crimes alleged against them are syndicated illegal recruitment under RA 10022 and estafa in relation to RA 10175 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Mabatid did not appear in any of the hearings called by the City Fiscal, and her counsel Glenna Jean Ogan said initially that based on Facebook, the former Cebu City councilor “appears to be in Australia at present.”

In her response to the complaints, Mabatid denied any connection with PinoyCare Visa Center and Opportunities Abroad, the two visa consultancy companies she allegedly used to recruit the complainants to apply for student visas to Canada.

Mabatid claimed she was a legal recruiter, being the owner of Amax Philippines, which is licensed by the POEA or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

She also asserted that all the cases filed against her were a malicious intent to tarnish her reputation. As to who it could be, she named “a credible source” as saying that the complainants had communicated with The SUN editor and lawyer Daisy Mandap, who she alleged as a “leftist propagator (sic)” who has been targeting her to prevent OFWs from seeking a  better life in Canada.

The next hearing of the preliminary investigation is set for June 13.

Separately, the Department of Justice has started hearing the complaints filed by 12 applicants of PCVC/Opportunities Abroad and endorsed by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Recommended for prosecution for alleged large-scale illegal recruitment, and syndicated estafa under Art 315 par 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code are Prisca Nina O Mabatid, Adam Hechanova, Mark Gamallo, Clint Victor Caingles, Bernie Uy and Clark M. Jueco.

Like in the previous case, the complainants here claim to have been duped by the respondents into paying no less than P100,000 each on the pretext of securing student visas to Canada for them.

The next hearing of the case has been set down for Monday, July1.

Migrante said it has also been informed of the filing of similar complaints against Mabatid in Cebu, but has yet to get details. The DMW in Cebu is also said to be behind the move to get the complaints pursued in court.

Mabatid was a no-show in 3 Senate hearings on massive illegal recruitment 

Earlier, Mabatid was summoned to appear before the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers headed by Senator Raffy Tulfo, to respond to complaints filed by about 100 Filipinos from all over the country who claimed to have been similarly defrauded by her and her group.

Mabatid failed to appear in any of the three hearings called by the Committee, as a result of which she was issued with a “show-cause” order on Feb. 13.

Staff of the Senate Committee have told The SUN that another hearing would be called, but did not specify a date.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Unifil-Migrante urges immediate prosecution of Mabatid

 

Mabatid confronts OFW complainants and the police during her last HK trip in June 2023

United Filipinos in Hong Kong has called on the Philippine government to immediately file charges against Prisca Nina Mabatid, who was named in sworn statements by no less than 22 migrant workers as being behind a student visa scam that defrauded them of some $400,000 (Php3 million).

In a statement issued today, Apr 17, Unifil-Migrante HK chairperson Dolores Balladares said: "It’s (been) almost a year since the OFWs in HK were victimized by the visa scam of Nina Mabatid, yet the justice they look forward to is uncertain.”

Balladares said that despite the mountain of evidence forwarded by the complainants to the Department of Migrant Workers, National Bureau of Investigation, as well as the offices of Senator Raffy Tulfo (who heads the Senate committee on migrant workers) and President Bongbong Marcos, the agencies involved have been “extremely slow” in filing charges.

“Where can the victims find justice, if the government is not keen on resolving the issues?" Balladares asked.

TAWAG NA!

Apart from the Hong Kong OFWs, about 150 Filipinos from across the country and some overseas posts have similarly filed complaints against Mabatid and two companies associated with her, PinoyCare Visa Center and Opportunities Abroad, all claiming to have been tricked into paying at least Php100,000 each on the promise that they would be helped in securing work in Canada while on student visa.

The DMW and the NBI have repeatedly assured the complainants and the Senate committee that charges of large-scale illegal recruitment and syndicated estafa have already been filed against Mabatid and her co-accused, but to date, no court document has been shown to them to support the claim.

“Despite the large number of victims and complainants, videos as evidence of fraud, and the DMW itself declaring the agencies owned by Mabatid to be illegal, still no cases have been filed,” Balladares said.

Worse, said Balladares, Mabatid was allowed to harass her victims, and even filed a cyberlibel case against lawyer Daisy Mandap, a respected journalist and migrants rights advocate who was singled out for reporting on the case, despite it being covered by other mainstream publications in Hong Kong.

Unifil-Migrante HK has staged several rallies calling for  Mabatid's prosecution

The OFW complainants alleged that during her recruitment drive in Hong Kong on Feb. 19, 2023, Mabatid, together with her partner Russ Mark Gamallo and OFW blogger Bryan Calagui, promised to help them move to Canada on a work-study program within just three months if they paid a processing fee of HK$18,731 on the spot, or no later than three days.

Failing to get the promised help from Mabatid and her staff, the complainants called the police to help them secure a refund when the group returned to Hong Kong on June 18 last year for another recruitment activity at the Sunbeam Theater in North Point.

To appease them, Mabatid told the police she would give back the complainants' money at the Philippine Consulate offices the next Sunday, June 25, but did not show up. As a result, the OFWs, helped by the MFMW, went to the police to file complaints against Mabatid, Gamallo and Calagui. 

The police investigation is continuing, as more complainants against Mabatid and company have emerged.

PINDUTIN DITO

Simultaneously, the complainants executed sworn affidavits at the Consulate detailing their complaints against the three, which the Migrant Workers Office subsequently endorsed to the DMW for immediate action.

Balladares said that if the current national government prioritized job creation instead of labor exportation, migrant workers will not easily fall prey to illegal recruiters and human traffickers in their desire to provide a better life for their families.

She mentioned the case of Mary Jane Veloso who was arrested in Indonesia for drug trafficking, and remains imprisoned there because of the government’s alleged failure to act faster in providing her help.

PRESS FOR DETAILS