DH who finished contract but overstayed gets suspended sentence

 

The court heard the Filipina overstayed for 2.5 months after failing to find a new employer

A domestic helper who finished her contract but failed to find another employer, resulting in her overstaying her visa for two and a half months, got off lightly yesterday (Dec. 21) in Shatin Court after she pleaded guilty.

C. Calaunan, 44 years old, tensed up as Magistrate David Chum started sentencing her for breach of condition of stay: “I will adopt 15 days (imprisonment). For pleading guilty, I cut it to 10 days. For surrendering, to eight days.”

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He concluded that her sentence was suspended for 12 months, telling her, “If you do not reoffend within one year, no need to go to prison.”

She heaved a sigh of relief and was teary-eyed as she sat to wait for documents to sign.

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Calaunan had earlier worked as domestic helper for four years, finishing two contracts, her duty lawyer said.

However, after her last contract ended last July 30, she looked for a new employer but failed to find one.

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After two and a half months of fruitless search, Calaunan surrendered to the Immigration Department on Oct. 27 and was subsequently charged with breach of condition of stay.

The condition that Calaunan breached was that she leave Hong Kong upon completing her contract on July 30, 2023, or two weeks after termination, whichever is earlier.

The lawyer said all she wants now is to be able to go home and reunite with her three children in the Philippines.

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“Under these circumstances, we hope you consider a lesser sentence,” the lawyer pleaded in mitigation.

Magistrate Chum granted the request.

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Shoplifter gets early Christmas gift with bindover order

 

The defendant was caught with unpaid food items from Kaibo Supermarket in North Point (File)

A middle-aged Filipina domestic helper was visibly relieved when she got off with a bindover order after pleading guilty to theft today at Eastern Court.

H.E.F., 52 years old, was told by Magistrate Ivy Chui that she would not go to prison and would not even have a criminal record unless she commits another offence within 12 months. If she does, she will have to pay $1,000 and get a criminal record.

“Remember, do not commit any offence within this period, otherwise, you will have to pay $1,000 and serve whatever new sentence is imposed on you,” said the magistrate.

The Filipina, however, was ordered to pay court costs of  $500, which would have to be offset with the bail she posted. The two shopping bags taken from her during her arrest on May 31 this year were also ordered confiscated.

H.E.F., who lives in Happy Valley, was stopped as she was about to leave Kai Bo supermarket at the North Point market on Cheung Yeung Street after staff noticed her taking some grocery items from the shelves and putting them in her shopping bag.

Found in her bag were a pack of tomatoes, a pack of snap beans, three packs of pork and one pack of snowbeans, worth a total of $114.70. She was unable to show a receipt for the items.

A review of the CCTV at the shop showed her taking the items from the shelves and putting them inside her bag.  She told staff she merely forgot to pay for them.

It took nearly an entire morning of negotiation before the prosecution agreed to her counsel’s plea for a bindover order.

 

Filipino gets 14 months jail for illegal work, friend who helped him freed

 

Esmaya (in red) in a huddle with supporters after the hearing.

A Filipino was jailed 14 months for illegal work while his friend, a fellow Filipino who was also arrested by Immigration officers last  Nov. 16 for helping him build a brick fence in Sai Kung, got off with a suspended sentence after both appeared yesterday at Shatin Court.

Neil Oliver Paclipan, a 45-year-old asylum seeker who has a deportation order in force against him, pleaded guilty but all he got from Magistrate David Chum was a one-month discount from the starting point of 15 months’ jail, instead of a one-third reduction in sentence.

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Joeffrey Esmaya, a 39-year-old domestic helper, got six weeks’ jail, reduced by a third from nine weeks because of his guilty plea. And because of his claim that he was just helping a friend and did not get paid for the work, Chum suspended his sentence for two years.

“You need not go to jail now,” Chum told Esmaya.

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But Chum warned: “If you reoffend, even if you did not get paid, you will be imprisoned.”

Under Section 40 of the Immigration Ordinance, breach of condition of stay is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and fine of up to $50,000. Among these conditions is that domestic helpers such as Esmaya are not allowed to accept any extra jobs, whether paid or unpaid.

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Esmaya was terminated by his employer after the case started, but his lawyer told the court that the employer of his wife who is also a domestic helper, agreed to hire him.

Paclipan had a heavier penalty because he was the contractor for the job, was paid $6,400 and had a deportation order against him, Chum said.

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Under the Immigration Ordinance, his offense was punishable by imprisonment of up to three years and fine of up to $50,000.

Paclipan’s lawyer said he arrived in 2019 as a tourist, but stayed on.

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In 2021, he surrendered to the Immigration Department and applied for refugee status.

He has since been issued a deportation order, but his application for non-refoulment has prevented the Hong Kong gvernment from forcibly sending him home to the Philippines.

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The lawyer said Paclipan did the offense to earn extra money to be able to support his six children in the Philippines, and his mother who has brain tumor.

He was also remoreful and promised not to reoffend.

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But Magistrate Chum said that after listening to the lawyer’s mitigation to lighten Paclipan’s penalty, he only recognized the latter’s surrender as an overstayer as a mitigating factor, and reduced the jail term by one month.

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Christmas comes early for members of Help Circle

 

HELP treated its support group for migrants to a Christmas party on Dec 3 (photo by Alex Macro)

Dozens of Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers belonging to a support network for migrants received an early Christmas treat from Help for Domestic Workers, (HELP), at at a gift-giving and awarding ceremony held on the 59th floor of Cheung Kong Center in Central on Dec. 3.

The recipients, who all belong to Help Circle, were each given a gift sponsored by HELP’s various corporate partners, and were feted with food and awards.

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Programs officer Veronica Jose said that through the network, HELP, a non-government organization that extends help to distressed migrants, “aims to create an empowered group that serves as a safety net for its members.”

Jose added that HELP strives to ensure that all migrant domestic workers have access to justice, fair treatment, and secure rights.

Following the event, Kate Husson, HELP’s head of programs told Help Circle members in a chat: "We firmly believe that each of you is equal and valuable," adding that there should be no seniority or superiority among them as they are all community leaders.

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As members of the elite circle, migrant workers are asked to join community activities and attend seminars and workshops to gain knowledge and experience about leadership.

At the Christmas get-together, gold, silver and bronze awards were handed out to the members according to the number of group activities they were able to attend, while new members were given membership certificates.

Apart from the getting their fill during the three-hour program that celebrated unity and learning, some of the attendees were awarded prizes in such categories as best in decorating a “Christmas Giving Tree”, best in Christmas Carols and best in costume.

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Husson told the members in the chat that the awards were not meant to discriminate, but to show appreciation for the members’ kindness and dedication in helping each other.

“It is also not about the gifts but about the recognition. Let us continue to support and uplift each other, focusing on collaboration rather than negativity,” she said. 

Member Carmela Dizon, who won the award for best costume, said she was so excited to join the party that she spent several days adorning her winning gown with Christmas lights and other decors.

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She said she was grateful and glad to have joined Help Circle, which she first learned about after joining one of the free yoga sessions they offered.

Those who are interested to join Help Circle may fill up the online membership form here.

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Intl Migrants Day marked with calls for inclusion, more protection

 

Migrants braved the cold to demand inclusion and greater rights  

Members of the Asian Migrant Coordinating Body reiterated their commitment to fight “modern-day slavery, exclusion and discrimination” when they gathered in Victoria Park on Dec 17 to mark International Migrants Day.

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Hundreds of people joined AMCB and its allied organization, International Migrants Alliance in expressing anger at allegations of “job hopping” among migrants and government policies they perceive as anti-migrants such as the long-standing two-week rule. Under this policy, migrant domestic workers are given only 14 days to remain in Hong Kong when their contracts are prematurely terminated.

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The rallyists also alleged “abandonment” by the governments in Hong Kong and their own country in terms of giving them adequate protection and equal benefits under the law.

Despite their immense contribution to the economies of both countries, migrant workers continue to be oppressed and discriminated against, said the protesters. They cited their low wages, long working hours, unsafe working conditions and inadequate food and accommodation as bases for this allegation.

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Worse, they are now falsely accused of “job hopping” when all they want is the right to switch employers when they can  no longer bear the oppressive conditions in their workplace, they added.

We contribute a lot to society, said the protesters

“Migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong are part of society, and we sustain the families and the economy of HK; we must be treated like any other worker in HK,” said the group.

They vowed to continue fighting for their rights until the governments of the host and sending countries listen to their pleas and address their demand to end “modern-day slavery and commodification or migrant workers.”

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Further, they called on their governments to end their labor export program and instead create more jobs that pay a living wage back home so they are not forced to work abroad to support their families.

 

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MAS MURANG INTERNET PAG NAGBAYAD GAMIT E-WALLET!

Halos lahat na yata ng tao sa HK ay gumagamit ng e-wallets. Anu ano ba ang mga ito? 

Yan ang WeChat Pay, Alipay HK, Octopus Wallet, PayMe at pati Visa, MasterCard Credit Card ay ganoon na rin. Very convenient talaga gamitin ang mga yan sa pang araw araw na bayarin at bilihin. Pati sa SIM pwede na rin pang pangbayad o subscribe ng data plan. Hindi lang yan, may discount o mas mura ang data plan ng SmarTone basta e-wallet ang ibayad mo. 

Paano ba yan? May 2 data plan ka na pwedeng pagpilian. 

Una (1) Basic Unlimited Data Plan na $88 kada buwan at 42Mbps. Pag e-wallet pang bayad mo, $83 na lang! May discount kang $5 agad. 

Pangalawa (2) Superior Unlimited Data Plan na $98 kada buwan pero pag e-wallet ang pangbayad mo, $92 na lang! May discount kang $6 agad. Mas mabilis ito kasi 60Mbps at may FREE 1 day data roaming sa Macau / China at 500 minutes Local Calls to SmarTone. 

Paano naman maka subscribe? Madali lang! 

Dapat meron kang My SIM Account App kasi naka link na ang mobile number mo sa e-wallets basta open mo muna ang app na ito. Hindi pwede na direcho ka sa mga e-wallets dahil EXCLUSIVE lang ito sa My SIM Account app ng. Dapat din may laman din ang e-wallet apps mo bago gamitin. 

(1) Open My SIM Account app > i-tap ang “Plans & Services”

(2) Choose $83 o $92 Unlimited Data Plan > “Next” 

(3) Choose E-Wallet na gagamitin at sundin ang steps hanggang sa pagbayad at i-press Confirm  

Wala kang My SIM Account app? Download sa Google Play o App Store o i-tap https://wap.smartone.com/bssapp/ para i-install. 

Kung may tanong, pwedeng pumunta sa Barkadahan Shop 159 WWH Central o Shop B, 1F Jollibee Shopping Arcade, Yuen Long o sa mga promoters sa mga suking Pinoy tindahan sa Hong Kong. Para malaman nasaan ang SmarTone sa Jollibee Yuen Long, press https://bit.ly/3HPaoVU . 

Para malaman ang iba pang mga offers sa Barkadahan, press https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews/AL 

Para naman iba pang services, press https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews 

Kung may tanong, mag text sa WhatsApp Hotline https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSSWhatsAppCS

Mas bongga talaga sa Barkadahan, pramis! 

Ito rin ang SIM ng mga Pinoys at  Number 1 Most Used Network ng mga OFW sa Hong Kong ayon sa Anova Market Research Company. 

Nakamit ng Pinay ang attractive looks at seksi na body

Angel Cabias, before and after.

Matagal nang gusto ni Angel Cabias na magkaroon ng glamorosang kagandagan katulad ng isang artista. Ang flawless na balat ng mga artista ay pangarap ng karamihan na mga babae na magkaroon.

Natupad ang pangarap ni Angel nang malaman niya ang kahanga-hangang produkto. Sinabi ng kaibigan na bumili siya ng upgraded Dream Love 1000 5 in 1 body essence lotion na gawa sa England mula sa Victory Supermarket sa Worlwide plaza sa halagang HK$98 lamang.

Sinabi nito na ang lotion ay napatunayang epektibo para sa pampapayat, pampaputi, may Vitamin A, D & E protein moisturizer, anti-ageing at pagtanggal ng mga peklat mula sa tagihawat at maiitim na bahagi ng balat na matatagpuan sa iisang tube lamang. 

Pagkauwi ay ginamit niya ang lotion ayon sa instruction sheet, nakita niya ang naging pagbabago sa kanyang katawan sa loob ng dalawang linggo. Nabawasan ang kanyang timbang habang 1 inch naman ang iniliit ng kanyang baywang, braso, balakang at hita. Nagkaroon din ng magandang hugis ang kanyang katawan. Ngayon ay tuwang-tuwa na siya kapag nakikita ang sarili sa salamin dahil nakamtan na niya ang hitsurang artista na matagal na niyang pinapangarap.

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Para sa gandang nakaka-akit

Ang iyong Kagandahan ay magiging tunay na kaakit-akit. Mabibili sa Hong Kong ang updated version na

Dream Love 1000 5-in-1 Body Essence Lotion

na gawa sa laboratoryo ng La Cite Parfumer S.A. Paris mula sa mga piniling sangkap galing pa sa England, Germany, Canada at France.

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Tingnan ang libu-libong mga totoong karanasan sa buhay ng mga kababayan, at kung paano nila ginamit ang

Dream Love 1000 5-in-1 Body Lotion

para maging natural na kaputian, hugis, mas batang tingnan at kumikinang na balat, sa ngayon ay lalo nang seksi sa 

http://www.sunwebhk.com

Naakit ang guwapong Briton habang nasa Pier 5

 

Tuwing  umuuwi sa Pilipinas upang magbakasyon si Ma. Teresa Abella ay super higpit ng yakap at halik ang gawa ng asawa sa kaniya. Ngunit kalaunan ay ramdam niyang may pagbabago dahil tuwing tatawag siya sa pamamagitan ng messenger ay matagal sumagot ang asawa. Minsan maghapon niya itong hindi makontak. Naging palaisipan ito at naibahagi niya sa kaibigan ang suliranin. Pinayuhan siyang bumili ng Dream Love 1000 na pabango parati nitong nababasa na epektibo ito.

Sumunod na sahod ay nagkita sila ng kaibigan at nagtungo sa Worldwide plaza upang bumili ng Dream Love 1000 na gawa sa England. Pagkabili nito sa halagang HK$88 lamang ay nasambit niyang affordable ang presyo. Binuksan ang kahon at nagwisik nito ayon sa instruction sheet. Naibigan niya ang halimuyak nito.

Naglakad-lakad sila patungo sa Pier 5 upang magtambay doon. Habang naglalakad ay hindi napansin na nahulog ang kaniyang shawl at may guwapong Briton ang lumapit at nag-abot sa kaniya. Nagpasalamat siya at napansin na ang kamay pala nito ay nakahawak pa sa kaniyang kamay, nabigla ito sabay hingi ng paumanhin. Napaalam na ito at siniko siya ng kaibigan sabay sabi na naakit ito sa gamit niyang perfume/ Napangiti siya at sinabing gagamitin ito sa asawa.

Nagplano siyang magbakasyon at nagpaalam sa amo, pumayag sila at sa araw ng kaniyang pagalis ay ginamit ang pabango. Paglabas ng bahay ay nakasalubong niya ang guwardiya na suplado. Pagkalampas nito sa kaniya ay bigla itong bumalik at tinulungan siya na magdala ng maleta niya patungo sa elevator. Nagpasalamat siya at inabot nito ang kamay sabay ngiti.

Dumating na siya sa Pinas at paglabas ng airport nakita ang asawang naghihintay at pagkalapit niya ay nagulat nang bigla siya nitong halikan ng marubdob na tila hindi sila nagkita na higit sampung taon. Nasambit sa sarili na very effective ang pabango kahit nang makarating sa bahay ay panay pa din ang lambing ng asawa at ang buong magdamag naging kapana-panabik sa kanilang dalawa. Naging colorful ang kaniyang bakasyon at kahit sa ngayon ay panay  ang sambit nito na namimiss siya.

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*Naghahanap ka man ng pag-ibig, nang-aakit ka man ng lalaki, o gustong maging tapat ito sa iyo, o gusto mong ikaw ang ikasal sa halip na maging abay lang sa kasal, kung gusto mong may pagbabago ng saloobin ang iyong amo sa kabaitan, at maging kaakit-akit sa paningin ng lahat... 

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