Lanterns to set HK ablaze for Mid-Autumn Festival

 

3,000 lanterns will be hung along the Tung Chung Promenade from Saturday, Sept 23

Spectacular lantern displays with different themes will be set up at three main parks across Hong Kong starting today, Saturday, in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as China’s National Day.

At the same time, nearly 3,000 lanterns will be hung along the Tung Chung promenade to mark the festivities, which will be kicked off with a lighting ceremony at 7pm today.

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The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals in Victoria Park, Shatin Park and Tuen Mun Park will start from 6:30pm, also today. The display will remain lit until 11pm daily with the lighting hours extended to midnight on Sept. 29, which is the Mid-Autumn Day.

Various activities will also be held in all three parks on different dates until Oct. 2, the day after the Chinese National Day.

'Chinese Delights in Full Splendor' is the theme of the Lantern Display at Victoria Park

Among them, a fire dragon dance parade, as well as a paid programme, the grand finale of the Chinese Opera Festival 2023 "Bless This Land - Cantonese Opera Showcase under the Bamboo Theatre", will be held in Victoria Park; while youth shows will be staged at Sha Tin Park and a gala night at Tuen Mun Park.

The full schedule and details of the Lantern Festival activities at the three parks can be seen here:  https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202309/22/P2023092200256.htm

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For enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit the webpage at: www.cpo.gov.hk/event/en-mid-autumn-lantern-carnivals-2023-1.

The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals 2023 is part of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s programs in support of the Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign.

Jade Rabbit Lanterns at Sha Tin Park

Meanwhile, a Happy Moon Lantern Festival highlighted by the display of 3,000 colorful lanterns will open from Sept 23 until October 8 at Tung Chung East Promenade, under the auspices of the  Sustainable Lantau Office (SLO) under the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Islands District Office.

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The Festival’s layout is designed by veteran film director and contemporary artist, William Kan, and features a giant "happy moon" and "twin rabbits" lanterns.

The lighting ceremony of the Lantern Festival will be held at 7pm today, September 23. Thereafter, the lanterns will be lit from 6.30pm to 10pm daily, and extended to 11pm on the Mid-Autumn Festival Day and the following day (September 29 and 30 respectively).

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A Lantern Carnival will also be held at the same site on September 29 and 30, organized by the Islands District. Activities will include a hanfu experience, cultural performances, art workshops, lantern riddles and booth games.

For details of the Tung Chung Lantern Festival, please visit the SLO's website at www.lantau.gov.hk/en/events/20230923.html.

Ferris wheel lantern at Tuen Mun Park

Also joining in the fun are shopping centers run by the Housing Authority with the main events being held at Domain its flagship mall in Yau Tong, East Kowloon.

The malls will feature Mid-Autumn Festival decorations, including walls of lanterns, a goldfish on the floor, a starfruit wishing tree, a smiley moon and two 2-meter-high giant rabbit lanterns.

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A series of night-time events will also be held at the shopping centers, including a variety show featuring popular local singers, busking performances, group singing and dancing, and water lanterns for pledging wishes.

Subject to spending requirements, Domain Club members may redeem a water lantern for pledging a wish at the roof garden. In addition, all visitors may redeem a complimentary gift or one-hour free parking for any spending between 8pm and 10pm during the Mid-Autumn Festival night at Domain.

Domain mall in Yau Tong is all-bedecked for the festivities

As for the HA's other shopping centres, shoppers may redeem gifts at the 18 shopping centres listed below subject to spending requirements and quotas on a first-come, first-served basis from 3pm to 7pm from September 29 (Friday) to October 1 (Sunday).

Hoi Lai Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po;

So Uk Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po;

Lai Chui Shopping Centre, Cheung Sha Wan;

Ching Long Shopping Centre, Kai Tak;

Ping Shek Estate, Kwun Tong;

Choi Tak Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong;

On Tai Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong;

Lung Poon Court Commecial Centre, Diamond Hill;

Shek Pai Wan Shopping Centre, Hong Kong Island;

Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai;

Siu Hong Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun;

Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung;

Kwai Chung Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung;

Mei Tin Shopping Centre, Sha Tin;

Shek Mun Shopping Centre, Sha Tin;

Pok Hong Shopping Centre, Sha Tin;

Shui Chuen O Plaza, Sha Tin; and

Queens Hill Shopping Centre, Fanling.

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Pilipina, ikinulong at ipinasauli ang natira sa ninakaw na $20K mula sa amo

 

Ang lugar na pinangyarihan ng pagnanakaw.

Ipinakulong ng dalawang buwan at pinagbayad ng $8,000 ang isang Pilipinang domestic helper matapos siyang umamin na nagnakaw ng cash na $20,000 sa kanyang among taga-Kowloon Tong.

Si Ma. Rowena Balambao, 39 taong gulang, ay ibinalik sa kulungan upang pagsilbihan ang kanyang sentensiya, matapos siyang hatulan kahapon (Sept. 21) ni Principal Magistrate Don So sa Kowlooon City Court.

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Pinatawan siya ng tatlong buwang kulong bilang parusa sa paglabag sa Section 9 ng Theft Ordinance, na nagtatakda ng parusa na hanggang 10 taong pagkakulong.

Dahil sa kanyang pag-amin ay binawasan pa ito ni Magistrate So ng 1/3 o isang buwan, kaya naging dalawang buwan na lang. 

Pero dahil nakita sa gamit ni Balambao ang $8,000 na natitira sa cash na kanyang ninakaw, inutos ni So na isauli niya ito sa kanyang amo.

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Ayon sa report ng Kowloon City Police, nangyari ang pagnanakaw sa pagitan ng Abril at Sept. 5 ngayong taon sa bahay ng amo ni Balambao sa Welcome Gardens, Broadcast Drive sa Kowloon Tong.

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Filipino IT manager admits 3 indecent assaults on young girl

 

Tiquia was again released on bail before his sentencing at the High Court

A Filipino resident whose job is listed as IT manager is set to be sentenced at the High Court after pleading guilty at Eastern Court on Thursday to three counts of indecent assault on a young girl which started when she was just seven years old.

No plea was taken from the accused for a fourth similar charge, which the prosecutor left on file.

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Joel M. Tiquia, 50, admitted the charges before Magistrate Leung Siu-ling, who immediately ordered the case remitted to the High Court at a later date for sentencing.

In the meantime, Tiquia’s bail of $50,000 cash and $50,000 surety was extended until his next court appearance.

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The first charge admitted by Tiquia happened in April 2017 inside a flat in Caribbean Coast in Tung Chung, when the victim was just seven years old.

Tiquia, who also resides in Tung Chung, again committed sexual assault on the girl in May 2018 when the girl was eight years old.

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The case put on file allegedly happened two years later, when the victim was 10 years old.

The final offense was committed by Tiquia on Oct. 6, 2021, when the girl was 11.

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Tiquia first appeared in court in October last year, but it took almost two years after the last offence was committed before he admitted his guilt.

According to the Section 122 (1) of Crimes Ordinance of Hong Kong, a crime of indecent assault could fetch up to 10 years in prison.

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The law provides that indecent assault is committed if the victim is under the age of 16 and cannot in law give any consent to the offence.

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NAIA security officer na lumunok ng pera, sasampahan na ng kaso

 

Giit ng akusado, tsokolate at hindi pera ang nilunok niya

Nanawagan si Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista na patawan ng pinakamabigat na parusa ang isang babaeng security officer sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport na nakita sa video na nilunok ang US$300 na ninakaw niya diumano sa isang papaalis na pasaherong Intsik.

Sa isang pahayag nitong Huwebes, inutusan ni Bautista ang isang abugado ng DOTr  na sampahan na ng kaso hindi lang ang babaeng nahulicam kundi ang ilan pang pinaghihinalaang sangkot sa insidente.

Naganap ang insidente noong September 8 sa Terminal 1 ng NAIA habang dumadaan sa x-ray screening ang papaalis na pasaherong si Mr Cai.

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Makikita sa CCTV na kinuha ng security officer ang bag ng pasaherong Intsik habang dumadaan ito sa x-ray scanner, tapos ay may isinuksok sa kanyang baywang bago tumalikod. 

Pagkatapos na makita ni Mr Cai na bukas ang kanyang pitaka at nawawala ang kanyang pera ay nagreklamo ito. 

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Dito na nakita na inumpisahang nilunok ng security officer ang pera, habang agad naman siyang binigyan ng tubig ng screener na nakaupo sa may x-ray machine. 

Nilapitan din siya ng  kanyang supervisor na parang sumesenyas na lunukin niyang lahat ang ebidensya.

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Pare-parehong sinuspindi ang security officer, screener at ang superbisor at pinigilang makapasok sa airport habang iniimbestigahan ang kaso.

Pero ayon sa paunang report ng mga imbestigador,  pinipilit daw ng security officer na tsokolate ang nakita sa video na pilit niyang sinasaksak sa kanyang bibig at hindi ang nawawalang pera.

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Samantala, tumangging magreklamo nang pormal si Mr Cai kaya nahihirapan ang mga awtoridad na sampahan ng kasong kriminal ang mga sangkot, lalo na ang security officer. Pero sigurado daw silang sasampahan ito ng administrative case.

Dagdag pa ng pinuno ng Office of Transportation Security (OTS) sisiguraduhin niyang matatanggal sa trabaho ang security officer.

Base sa paunang imbestigasyon ng OTS ay totoong lahat ang kumalat na balita tungkol sa paglunok ng nakaw na pera ng security officer.

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Sabi pa sa report ng OTS ay walang duda na balak talagang magnakaw ang security officer, at katuwang niya sa ginawa ang screener at kanilang supervisor.

Nakikipagtulungan daw ngayon ang OTS sa mga pulis para tulungan ang pasaherong nanakawan, sakaling gusto nitong sampahan ng kasong kriminal ang security officer.

Ito ang pangatlong kaso ng pagnanakaw sa airport ngayong 2023 na umani ng maraming pagbatikos sa publiko.

Sa unang bahagi ng taon ay limang tauhan ng security ang nahuling nagnakaw ng pera sa isang turistang galing ng Thailand. Makalipas lang ang limang araw ay isa na namang security officer ang nahuli na nagnakaw ng relo ng isang pasaherong Intsik.

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61 taong gulang na Pilipina, nabistong 27 taon nang overstay

 

Dito nahuli ang Pilipina

Hindi pinayagang makapag-piyansa ang isang Pilipinang nahuli nitong buwang kasalukuyan matapos mag-overstay noon pang September 1996 -- o 27 taon na.

Dahil dito, ibinalik sa kulungan si Josephine Rescate, 61 taong gulang, sa utos ni Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui.

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Pero itinakda ni Magistrate Chui ang bail review sa Sept. 27 sa hiling ng abogado ni Rescate, upang mabigyan siya ng isa pang pagkakataong makalaya.

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Sa pagdinig nitong Martes, binasa kay Rescate ang kaso, na nagsasaad na nasita siya ng pulis at hinanapan ng HKID habang nasa footbridge sa tabi ng Exit A ng Central Station ng MTR noong Sept. 7.

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Nang itawag ng pulis sa headquarters nila ang mga detalye ni Rescate, nalaman nito na overstaying na  siya noon pang Sept. 29, 1966.

Isa sa kondisyon ng kanyang paglagi sa Hong Kong nang bigyan siya ng visa bilang domestic helper ay ang umuwi siya sa Pilipinas sa loob ng 14 na araw matapos siyang materminate.

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Dahil naterminate siya noong Sept. 15, 1996, dapat ay nakaalis na siya noon pang Sept. 29, 1996.

Sinampahan siya ng kasong breach of condition of stay, na paglabag sa Section 41 ng Immigration Ordinance at may parusang multa na hanggang $50,000 at pagkakakulong ng hanggang dalawang taon.

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SC jails illegal recruiter for up to 14 years, plus 1M fine

 

The SC upholds prison sentence but raises fine to P1million

The Philippine Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man for illegal recruitment and estafa, and sentenced him to an indeterminate sentence of up to 14 years in prison, and fine of Php1 million.

The decision affirmed the Court of Appeals’ finding that Lee Saking y Anniban alias Lee Saking Aniban was guilty of duping complainant John Denver Palasi into giving him a vehicle and P110,000 to process papers for a  non-existent job in Australia 10 years ago.

But in the decision penned by Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, the SC decided to raise the P200,000 imposed by both the CA and LaTrinidad, Benguet Regional Trial Court for the charge of estafa, to P1million.

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Saking was convicted in the trial court of one count each of illegal recruitment and estafa, but acquitted him of the third charge of carnapping.

In his complaint, Palasi said he met Saking in 2013 at a car repair shop in La Trinidad where he was having his Mitsubishi Delica van repaired. Saking said he was looking for people interested to work as apple and grape pickers in Australia, and were willing to pay the placement fee of P300,000.

Palasi got interested in the job offer, and as he did not have enough the money for the placement fee, offered his van plus an additional P100,000 in cash.

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Saking made Palasi fill out the forms and collected his passport. Palasi paid a total of P110,000 in three instalments, but Saking did not give him any official receipt.

Once, Palasi said he was taken by Saking to Practice Agency which supposedly processed his papers, but the recruiter left him the car.

After Palasi paid the entire amount of P100,000 he could no longer contact Saking, so he went to Practice Agency and was surprised to learn that he had no pending application with them.

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Palasi sought help at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and was informed that Saking was not licensed to recruit workers for overseas employment.

Later he learned that Saking took his van from the car repair shop without his knowledge, and had sold it to a certain Ernesto Buya. Palasi recovered the vehicle after showing documents to prove his ownership.

In his testimony Palasi admitted failing to check on Saking’s claim that he was a licensed recruiter, and of going to Practice Agency only after failing to contact the defendant.

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A witness for the prosecution, Alberto P. Silvada, was the mechanic who repaired Palasi’s van. He confirmed that Palasi did not authorize him to turn over the vehicle to Saking. However, the latter requested to test-drive the car and no longer returned.

No witness was presented for the defense during the trial.

In its decision, the SC found Saking guilty of the crime of illegal recruitment under Sections 6 and 7 of Republic Act No. 8042 (RA 8042), or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by RA 10022, and of estafa under Article 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended by RA No. 10951.

The SC held that the prosecution was able to prove the elements of illegal recruitment against the defendant. Apart from not having a license or authority to recruit and place workers, Saking promised or offered overseas employment to Palasi, in exchange for a placement fee.

On the charge of estafa, the SC affirmed that all the elements of the offence were present in the case, including (1) use of false pretense or fraud; (2) the fraudulent acts were committed prior to or simultaneously with the commission of the fraud; (3) the offended party relied on the fraudulent acts to part with money or property, and (4) as a result, the offended party suffered damage.

In this case, Saking committed false pretense when he claimed to be someone who could help Palasi work in Australia, as a result of which Palasi lost his vehicle as well as the sum of P100,000.

For the crime of illegal recruitment, the Court sentenced Saking to suffer an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of 12 years and one day, as minimum, to 14 years as maximum, and to pay a fine of PhP1M. The increase in the fine was in line with the amendments brought about by R.A. No. 10022.

For estafa, the Court sentenced Saking to two months and one day of arresto mayor, as minimum, to one year and one of prison correccional, as maximum.

Saking was also ordered to pay Palasi PhP85,000 with legal interest at the rate of six percent per year from the filing of the Information until the finality of the decision.

Full text of the decision is in G.R. No. 257805 (Saking v. People, April 12, 2023): https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/257805-lee-saking-y-anniban-lee-saking-sanniban-vs-people-of-the-philippines/ 

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