Rizal Day marked with wreath-laying ceremony at Consulate

 

Photo-collage of the Rizal Day commemoration at the Consulate on Dec 30

Former Consul General Raly Tejada led a wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony at the Consulate on Dec 30, to commemorate the 127^th death anniversary of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Consulate staff and some members of the Filipino community took part in the commemoration held at the Consulate’s public area where a bust of Dr Rizal was put on display.

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This marked a departure from the pre-pandemic commemoration of Rizal Day, where Consulate officers held the wreath-laying ceremony at the national hero’s former Hong Kong residence at Rednaxela Terrace in Central.

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Past commemorations even included a street theater that included stops at two other sites on nearby D’Aguilar Street and Pottinger Street where Rizal had eye clinics, and on Chater Road opposite the HSBC headquarters where Philippine revolutionaries kept an account.

Street theater in 2012 when the late Carlos Celdran played the role of Dr Rizal

Dr Rizal, who lived and practiced his profession briefly in Hong Kong, was executed by firing squad in Luneta (formerly Bagumbayan) on Dec. 30, 1896 for the crime of rebellion against the Spanish colonial government.

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During the program at the Consulate, staff paid homage to Dr Rizal with an oral interpretation of his literary work, “A La Juventud Filipina” or “To the Filipino Youth” recited by Vice Consul Allan G. Revote.

This was followed brief remarks by Congen Tejada, who lauded Rizal’s role in laying the foundation for nationhood through his insightful writing about the Filipinos’ desire for justice and equality, and how his sacrifice sparked the Philippine revolution.

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Tejada, who ended his tour of duty abroad the next day, Dec. 31, encouraged everyone to remember Rizal’s clarity of conscience in adversity and keep in mind his fervent wish for the Filipino people to showcase their strength and unity as a nation.

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Ex-musician charged in $5.5 million laundering case

 

Ledesma says he lost control of his bank account after collecting the $10k Covid aid from the govt

A Filipino who used to work as a musician in Hong Kong appeared in District Court yesterday, Jan. 4, charged with one count of laundering through his bank account a total of about HK$5.55 million in illicit funds more than three years ago.

Jose Rizaldo R. Ledesma, who is said to go by two other names and is 57 years old, was charged alongside Wong Chiu-sang, 51, who faces a separate count of laundering the equivalent of more than HK$7.30 million in his own bank account.

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No plea was taken and both men were allowed to extend their bail - $300 for Ledesma and $4,000 for Wong -- until the next hearing of their case on March 12.

Chief District Judge Justin Ko allowed the postponement of the cases after both defendants applied through counsel for more time to seek legal advice, particularly for the amendment of the charges against them.

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Judge Ko also asked if Ledesma could understand English as there was no Tagalog interpreter around, and he said yes. However, he later said he wished to have a Tagalog interpreter with him at the next hearing.

The judge also confirmed directly with the two men if they wanted to apply for an adjournment and for their bail to be extended until then.

The two defendants are charged with one count each of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence,” commonly known as money laundering, which is contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized Crimes Ordinance, Cap 455. The offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.

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Ledesma, who is said to be also known by the names Jose Rizaldo Raymundo Ledesma and Tose Rizhido R. Leoesma, is accused of having laundered a total sum of 5,500 Euros and USD706,468.21 in his Bank of China account between Aug 5, 2020 and Oct 21, 2020.

Wong is charged with laundering through his Standard Chartered Bank account a total of HK$1,705,319.28 and USD719,851.25 between Aug 13, 2020 and October 31, 2020.

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There was no mention why the two defendants were charged together, although the timing of the alleged offences indicate a connection.

After the hearing, Ledesma said he had told the police he had no knowledge of the illegal transactions made using his account which he lost control of shortly after collecting the $10,000 Covid aid relief from the government which was handed out in July 2020.

He also said he would apply for legal representation through Legal Aid, and ask for a Tagalog interpreter to assist him as he had difficulty understanding the legal terms used during the court hearing.

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Flu season expected to peak next week

 

CHP officials issued the warning at yesterday's press conference

Government experts have urged the public to be more cautious of catching seasonal influenza and Covid-19, saying there are indications the spread of both virus-borne diseases will peak next week.

At a news conference, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection said coronavirus activity has increased, along with the number of people being admitted to hospitals with respiratory symptoms.

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She urged those in high-risk groups like the elderly and people with disabilities and living in care homes to get vaccinated against COVID and the flu as soon as possible and to always wear masks in public areas.

Chuang said the percentage of with flu being admitted to public hospitals has reached 0.48, higher than the baseline level of 0.25. Those with influenza A virus H3 accounts for 79 percent of all cases, those with the B virus for 13 percent, while the remaining 8 percent had the H1 virus.

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At the same press conference, Hospital Authority's Chief Manager Dr. Larry Lee said the occupancy rate in public hospitals has increased to near-capacity. Medical cases reached 116 percent of capacity, while those pediatric cases are at 92 percent.

But he assured that the authority has a lot of experience handling such pressure, given a similar surge in cases in the middle and end of last year.

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Separately, a government statement said that the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal flu at the CHP’s public health laboratory last week was 8.49 per cent, which was more than double compared with three weeks ago. This trend indicates seasonal flu may enter a peak period next week.

Chuang said it is difficult to predict when the flu season might wane.  "The usual duration of the influenza season in the past was maybe 8 weeks or 12 weeks, sometimes longer. So it is difficult to anticipate or predict the exact duration of the influenza season and also the severity," she said.

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She also said that the coronavirus spread has increased, based on both sewage samples and specimens taken from people with Covid.

A new coronavirus subvariant, JN.1, which has been classified by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern - is said to be spreading in the city and is expected to replace XBB as the dominant variant.

Chuang said JN.1 has a higher transmissibility, but does not appear to cause more serious effects than other mutant strains. She also said that the XBB vaccine which is already available in the city, is also effective against it.

However, the government’s warning was sterner. “The activity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus generally increases in winter. With the higher transmissibility of the JN.1 variant, although the current evidence does not suggest JN.1 will cause a more severe disease, more local COVID-19 cases are anticipated. With more community infections, reports on severe cases and deaths will also increase,” its statement read.

But there is a bit of relief. Studies show that other respiratory viruses have been less active, while cases of pneumonia have dropped.

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Filipina resident jailed 44 months for $5.7 million theft

Avelino admitted the thefts at the District Court

A 34-year-old Filipina resident was put behind bars for 44 months at the District Court earlier today, after admitting two charges of stealing a total of $5.7 million in bank deposits from two companies. 

Kristine Annette D. Avelino was stoic as Deputy Judge Charles J. Chan read out the sentence, after noting the various mitigating factors raised by the defense lawyer. In court to give Avelino support were several family members and friends.

Judge Chan noted that Avelino came to Hong Kong at the age of 10 and committed the offences when she was only 26 years old. The fact that the case had dragged on for a long time was not due to any fault on her part.

He also noted that she suffered from asthma and anxiety because of the long time it took before her case was decided upon, and that she was remorseful. She also had a clear record.

He decided to exercise his discretion in reducing the final sentence to account for the delay in resolving the cases.

However, the judge did not accept as an excuse the defense’s claim that Avelino had committed the offences out of desperation as she needed to help pay for the medical expenses of an uncle and her grandmother who unfortunately, passed away since.

He also said he had to impose separate sentences for the two theft cases, as they were committed separately.

Judge Chan imposed a 38-month sentence for the first offence, where the amount stolen amounted to $5.4 million, and 12 months for the second offence, which involved the theft of $344,000, with six months of the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a total prison term of 44 months.

In the first charge, Avelino was found guilty of stealing $5.4 million from the account held by the Cosman Health Group Ltd. at Chong Hing Bank. She committed the theft over a five-year period, from May 2, 2012 until April 24, 2017.

A few months later, Avelino again stole a total of $344,044 from the Dah Sing Bank account of Work Life Balance Limited over a four-month period, from Nov. 10, 2017 until Feb. 27, 2018.

She was first charged in Eastern Magistrate’s court but because of the big amount involved, the case was transferred to the District Court. While her case was being heard, she was allowed to post a $60,000 bail for her temporary liberty.

Avelino comes from a family of musicians, and reportedly got married only recently.

 

2 Filipinas charged with stealing from employers

 

Place in Tsuen Wan where one of the theft cases allegedly occurred

A Filipina domestic helper was returned to jail today after appearing in court, charged with stealing her employer’s jewelry worth more than $100,000, while another was set free on bail after being charged with stealing her employer’s suitcase.

Both were charged in separate courts with violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Maria Teresa Nunez, 44 years old, was accused at the West Kowloon Court of stealing one “Mabelle” diamond ring, one diamond necklace, one diamond ring, one gold necklace, one gold pendant, a pair of gold bangles, one gold medal and a gold bracelet, with a total value of $105,000.

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The theft occurred last Dec. 19 at her employer Li Oi Min’s flat in Luk Yeung Sun Chuen, on Wai Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan in the New Territories, according to the complaint filed by the Tsuen Wan Police.

Principal Magistrate Don So scheduled Nunez’s next hearing for Jan. 25. He also ordered her held in custody until then.

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Erlinda Dreo, on the other hand, was freed on bail of $500 in Shatin Court.

Dreo, 41 years old, is accused of stealing her employer Monica Hong Yik Man’s suitcase valued at $1,099 “on an unknown date between 01^st day of February 2023 and 14^th day of September 2023” in a house in Woodcrest Hill in Tai Po, according to the complaint filed by Shatin Police.

Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan scheduled the resumption of her case for Feb. 15.

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PAHK stalwarts take over group’s leadership for 2024

The new PAHK Board led by Scylla Kwong (middle, in red and white top)

Four former chairpersons of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong have been elected to again sit in the Board of Directors of the oldest Filipino professional group in the city for the year 2024.

They include Scylla S. Kwong, PAHK chair in 2008, who will take over the organization’s leadership again this year; Joel L.C. Almeda, PAHK chair in 2010, who has been elected vice chair; Myrna P. Hill, 2012 chair who will serve as PRO; and Jocelyn S. Palomaria, 2011 chair who will co-chair the Ball Committee with Almeda.

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It is the first time in the PAHK’s history that four of its former chairs have been re-elected to the Board, and steer the organization through its varied activities this year.

Kwong takes over as chair from Mark Yabut, who was himself a former head of the organization before being asked to assume the position again last year, amid the challenges wrought by the pandemic.

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The full list of officers of the PAHK Board for 2024 follows:

Chairman – Scylla S. Kwong
Vice-Chairman – Joel Leonides C. Almeda
Secretary – Edna E. Hui
Asst Secretary – Estephanie Nanette D. Chan
Treasurer – Yolanda S. Marquez    

Asst Treasurer – Marc Rommulus A. Gonda

Auditor – Lucas Wildelmer De Guzman Reganit

PRO – Richard S. Del Valle & Myrna P. Hill 

Committee Heads:

Events – Richard S. Del Valle  & Myrna P. Hill
Membership – Marites A. Bancod & Wai Ming Joeffrey Lee  

Sponsorship – Paul Joseph Medina Dela Cruz, Edgardo Ranosa Jr  &  Julius Felix Barcela

Ball Committee – Joel Leonides C. Almeda & Jocelyn Santos Palomaria

During their initial meeting, the new officers drew up plans for a number of projects aimed at reviving interest in the association and engage members in more strategic undertakings.

They also agreed to appoint three beneficiaries for the proceeds from their fund-raising projects – a group that extends help to migrant workers in distress, another that promotes social activities for them, and another which supports young Filipinos born and raised in Hong Kong.

PAHK also plans to revive efforts to foster unity with Filipino migrants in Hong Kong.

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Filipina faces 3 cases of drug trafficking

 

Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion, where the Filipina was arrested 

A Filipina possessing a recognizance form, indicating that she is an asylum seeker, was returned to jail after she appeared at Kowloon City Court today on three drug trafficking charges.

Sherlita Guia, 37 years old, was charged on July 18 lat year by the Yau-Tsim Police Anti-Triad Section with three counts of violating the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance after arresting her the day before.

The prosecutor asked for an adjournment for further inquiry and legal advice from the Department of Justice.

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Acting Principal Magistrate Ko Wai-hung scheduled the resumption of the case for Feb. 28.

Guia’s first charge arose from her allegedly selling dangerous drugs on July 14 in the rear staircase of Block C of Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Later on the same date, she was said to have trafficked in drugs in Room 1 of a flat in Block D of Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion.

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In her last case, she is accused of selling drugs in Room 2 of the same flat.

However, the charge sheet did not indicate the kind or quantity of the drugs involved in the case.

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Trial set for 2 Filipinas accused of money laundering

 

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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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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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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Former DH asylum-seeker set free on $100 bail

 

A Filipina asylum seeker was set free on $100 bail when her case for overtaying was adjourned today at the Shatin Court.

Ana Liezl Santos, 45 years old and former domestic helper, was told by Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan  to return on Jan. 16 when the hearing continues on her case of breach of condition of stay.

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She is accused of violating Section 41 of the immigration Ordinance, filed by the Immigration Department in 2022.

Under this section, the offense is punished with a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

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Santos was charged after she was arrested on Jan. 23, 2020.

She later sought asylum, applying for non-refoulement to prevent the Hong Kong government from forcibly sending her home to the Philippines.

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She had been overstaying for three years from Dec. 29, 2017, two weeks after being terminated by her employer.

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