2 Filipinas linked to ATM scam fled HK, court told

 

The defendant says a man met her at this MTR exit in Central and took away her ATM card

Two Filipinas named by a defendant in a money laundering case as the ones who caused her to open a bank account that was used in funneling nearly $1 million in illicit funds have managed to flee Hong Kong while on police bail, Eastern Court was told on Thursday.

The two, identified as Angelita Antonio and Ronilda “Dang” Sumili, jumped bail on Aug 21, 2021 and June 27, 2021 respectively, said counsel for defendant Nora Antonio Reymundo.

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Reymundo, 47, is charged along with another defendant, Leonida C. Manlunas, 40, of a count each of “dealing with property known or believed to be proceeds of an indictable offence” or more commonly known as money laundering.

Both pleaded not guilty to the offence, and underwent trial from Mar 11 to 13 at Eastern Court. The money that passed through their respective bank accounts were said to be proceeds of a love scam perpetrated on a local elderly woman.

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Closing arguments by the prosecution and the defence have been set for April 18, after which Magistrate Jeffrey Sze is expected to render his verdict.

The bail set at $5,000 for each accused has been extended 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.

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Manlunas, on the other hand, allegedly dealt with a total of $387,000 which was laundered through an HSBC account in her name between Dec. 18, 2020 and Jan. 8, 2021.

Both defendants admitted receiving monetary reward after opening the bank accounts, but claimed not being aware that they were used to launder illicit money.

Authorities regularly post warnings against the sale or loan of bank accounts

In Reymundo’s case, she said that her younger cousin, Angelita Antonio, contacted her in December 2020 and asked her to open a bank account with HSBC which her friend’s boyfriend could use in receiving money from abroad.

Antonio allegedly said that her friend, Ronilda or Dang Sumili, could not open the account herself as her employer was working with HSBC. Reymundo said she contacted “Dang” and was able to confirm this story.

After repeated bugging with this request, Reymundo said she relented and on Feb. 10, 2021 she went to an HSBC branch in Central to open an account, and later met Dang’s supposed boyfriend, a man named “Chad,” at Exit B of the the Central MTR station.

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Chad reportedly asked Reymundo to go back to the HSBC counter and ask a teller to help her activate her ATM card, which she did. Chad then took the ATM card and her other bank documents, and gave her $500. Reymundo said in court she was supposed to get $2,000 for doing the bidding.

From Feb. 17 to Mar 4, 2021, several bank transactions were made using the account, and Reymundo admitted receiving text messages from HSBC each time. She said she told Angelita about them, but her cousin advised her to just ignore them.

On cross examination, Reymundo admitted having a separate account with Hang Seng Bank, through which her salary was being deposited, and which she knew how to operate.

After her arrest on Jun 17, 2021, along with Angelita and Dang, Reymundo said she could no longer access her WhatsApp conversations with the two, as well as the brief exchange she had with Chad.

In the case of Manlunas, she said she opened the account at the behest of an aunt, Josephine,  who said a friend needed it to transfer some money.

Manlunas admitted receiving text messages from HSBC each time a transaction was made using the account she opened, but said she did not understand what they were about. However, she did not call the bank’s hotline for clarification.

When she was arrested, a bank statement for the month of January 2021 was found by the police among her things in her employer’s flat. But when asked about this in court, Manlunas said she did not remember.

The defendant admitted receiving $1,600 for doing her aunt’s bidding, but insisted she did not know that her account was going to be used for illegal activities.

Manlunas said her aunt disappeared after her arrest, leaving her with debts totaling $80,000 from two financing companies which they were supposed to share. Her kindly employer who testified in court in her defense, ended up paying the entire debt to help her out.

Money laundering is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the prescribed maximum penalty is 14 years in jail and fine of up to $5 million. However, the maximum sentence that a magistracy can normally impose is two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $100,000.

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DH charged with child pornography for taking videos of ward

 

The case is being heard at Kwun Tong Court

A domestic helper who took two videos of a naked girl under her care has found herself in Kwun Tong Court answering two charges of making child pornography.

Gorgina Binmulog, 27 years old, appeared today before Acting Principal Magistrate Winnie Lau to face charges of violating Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance.

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Magistrate Lau adjourned the case to May 16, at the request of the lawyer of Binmulog, who was returned to jail custody.

A police complaint stated that the case arose from two video recordings that the Filipina took of the naked girl identified as X inside the toilet of the house of her employer in Sau Mau Ping, Kowloon.

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She used a smartphone to take the videos, the complaint said.

The first recording was made on Feb. 23, 2024 and the second on March 5.

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When her employers found out about the videos, they called police.

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Free tram rides tomorrow for ‘Art March’

 

The trams on Hong Kong island will take you to key art events

Take a free tram ride tomorrow and feel Hong Kong’s art vibe.

This is the message that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is putting across, as it offers unlimited tram rides to the public tomorrow, in a bid to facilitate access to key art events taking place this weekend as part of “Art March 2024.”

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These include the Hong Kong Flower Show 2024 which opens today at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, the Ren Zhe sculpture exhibition at Edinburgh Place in Central and the Hong Kong Cultural Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui.

A must-go-to event is the HK Flower Show at Victoria Park, which is easily accessible by tram

Starting this year, LCSD is using “Art March” to promote a series of cultural and artistic events sponsored, funded, or supported by the government, ranging from arts and culture showcases, fashion trends, entertainment, film festivals, cultural summits, and fashion shows.

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The world-renowned Art Basel Hong Kong, which is privately organized, will also return in full scale to the city, when it is staged from March 28-30 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Also returning full-blast from March 28 to 31 is Art Central 2024, which can be seen at the Central Harbour Front.

For the second straight year, Art@Harbour will be staged on both sides of Victoria Harbour from March 25 to June 2. For two months, the seafront will be transformed into an outdoor art exhibition space featuring several interactive installations and digital art facades. 

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Tourism-related industries, such as hotels, retail, and catering, were also encouraged to collaborate with the arts and cultural sectors to offer an unforgettable art experience to everyone in the city, residents or tourists alike, whatever their age.

For other art-related events, check out: https://thehkhub.com/art-exhibitions-hong-kong.

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HK OFW Cris Cayat gets entrepreneur award from 'Go Negosyo'

 

Cris receives her award from First Lady Liza A. Marcos and other VIPs 
(photo by EmEm Macatiag of MM Gallery)

An indefatigable domestic worker and community leader recently brought pride to the Filipino community in Hong Kong by copping one of 19 “Aspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards 2024” awards handed out by Go Negosyo on March 9 in celebration of International Women’s Month.

Cristina Cayat who was honoured for her Baguio-based indigenous clothing business called Inabel Tailoring, received her award from no less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, assisted by Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion and United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

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The 19 winners were picked from about 700 other women entrepreneurs all over the country. They were presented with their trophies at this year’s Women Summit, which celebrates women’s achievements and contributions to society and the economy in various fields and industries.

Cris, who has been working in Hong Kong for nearly three decades, said she was overwhelmed by the award, as being shortlisted was, to her, already an accomplishment.

“Being recognized as one of the aspiring women entrepreneurs for 2024 was a huge surprise and honor,” said Cris. “It gives me positive energy and hope for my business to grow.”

One of Cris' designs - her dream is to dress women in contemporary Cordillera fashion

Cris was cited during the awards for the “sustainable and responsible manufacturing process” of the business she started in her hometown of Lucnab, Baguio, during one of her trips back home in 2015.

Initially, Inabel was just a place where Cris’ friends, mostly fellow Filipinas in Hong Kong, could get some native outfits made to order. Cris took limited orders for small items like bags, wraparound skirts and jewelry made of ethnic fabrics and precious stones which she designed, sewed or assembled by herself.

But even then, she said, her dream was to dress and make her fellow Cordillerans proud, by designing contemporary outfits for them using their native fabrics and materials.

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After joining the Baguio Craft Fair in 2018, she said she was struck by how relevant and unique her creations were. “I was different from the local vendors,” she said.

With help from family members, especially her younger sister Vicky who was herself a former overseas Filipino worker in Hong Kong and Singapore, Cris expanded Inabel. They began buying more fabric, taking more orders from customers, and joining trade fairs.

In the near future, Cris plans to go home for good so she could concentrate more on the business and her passion for promoting Cordillera arts and fashion.

Cris with Vicky at Inabel's workshop in Baguio City

But for now, she is still busy co-organizing projects for Guhit Kulay, an all-migrants art group she founded in 2017. Apart from holding art exhibits in Hong Kong, the group has collaborated with foreign filmmakers in producing a documentary that was shown in various countries, and continues to hold free art workshops for their fellow migrant workers.

Cris, who started her community involvement as a contributor to The SUN, also founded Rhapsody Hong Kong, which promoted reproductive health care among migrant workers.

The idea of applying for the Go Negosyo award was brought up with her by a 2022 Inspiring OFW awardee, Elpedia Abel, who thought she had what it took to get the same recognition.

Cris was reluctant at first, but one week before the application deadline, decided to give it her best shot. On February 23 she received an email saying that her business was shortlisted, and she was overjoyed, thinking that it was enough recognition for her years of hard work.

But just a  few days later, or on March 5, she received another email, informing her that she made it to the final list, and asked if she could make it to the awards rites at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, which were a scant four days away. Of course, she went.

The awardees were led by Robina Gokongwei-Pe, who received the Woman of Legacy Award.

Also awarded were Allyn Joy Cabarles of Kaulayaw Coffee, Annette Patdu of Diaspora Farm, Camille Escudero of Lily of the Valley, Czarina Sevilla of Avocadoria PH, Emilyn Kabor of Jireh Food Products, Katrina Blanca de Leon of Genteel Home, Maria Rafaella Louise Sol of Nuevo Ystilo and Marica Peñalosa of Ate Rica’s Bacsilog.

Marie Joyce Co Yu of True Blends & Coffee, Frances Uma Espinosa of The Original Paeng’s, Jonnah Garcia of Punique Handicrafts, Marjorie Barcelona of Healthy Lemon, Leah Marie Ayeng of Prestige Paper Products, Anna Melissa Nava of 1Export Trade and Services, Anna Magalona of But First Coffee and Denise Caranto of Konu also received recognition.

Prominent women from various fields also graced the event, which was co-presented by celebrity host Gretchen Ho and actress Iza Calzado-Wintle.

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Couple fined $5,000 each for having sex in public

 

Couple leaves court hand in hand

A Filipino couple charged with indecency in public were fined $5,000 each today at the Eastern Court after they admitted having sex at midnight in a playgroud in Sai Wan.

FA, 43 years old and a bartender; and CRV, aged 32 and a domestic helper; were arrested by police after midnight of Oct 30, 2023 at the Third Street Playground in Sai Wan, Hong Kong.

A witness living in a flat overlooking the playground was closing her window for the night when she saw the two in action at 11:16pm on Oct. 30 and called police.

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Two officers arrived at 12:10am and arrested the two on a charge of "committing an act outraging public decency," in violation of Section 148(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.

In mitigation, their defense lawyer attributed the act to impulse.

Magistrate Stephanie Tsui acknowledged the lawyer’s assertion that the two pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, that they were in a relationship, that they have expressed remorse and that they promised not to do the offense again.

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So, Magistrate Tsui added, “I’m willing to give you a second chance” and chose fine as a penalty. The law includes imprisonment of up to six months for such offense.

The two stood side by side as they listened to Magistrate Tsui’s decision. She gave them until 4pm to pay the fine.

After the hearing, they proceeded to the cashier’s office on the 7^th floor to pay the fine.

They were holding hands when they left the courthouse.

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Mag-remit gamit ang iyong mobile phone – Libre!

May bago at mas mabilis na paraan ng pagpapadala ng pera sa iyong pamilya. Masusubukan mo ito nang libre hanggang March 31.

Ipinakikilala ang Mox, isang virtual bank na suportado ng Standard Chartered, sa pakikipagtulungan ng HKT, PCCW at Trip.com, upang makapagpadala ka ng pera kahit nasaan ka, papunta sa kahit saang sulok ng mundo at kahit kailan -- nang libre.

Upang masubukan ang ginhawa sa pagpapadala ng pera gamit ang pinakabagong feature ng Mox -- Express Remit – i-download lang ang Mox app dito: https://bit.ly/4bYHEsp .

Agad kang makapagpapadala ng pera kahit saan, kahit kailan, at tanggap agad sa loob lang ng ilang segundo pagkatapos ng ilang pindot.

Mula ngayon hanggang 31 March 2024, masusubukan mo ang aming global transfer service nang walang bayad sa palitang FX at pagpapadala.

Ilang pindot lang sa iyong mobile phone, naroon na agad ang iyong padalang pera.

Ang Express Remit ay nagpapalaya sa iyo mula sa kawalan ng katiyakan kapag umaasa sa mga remittance service ng mga bangko, na kailangan ng hanggang limang araw para ihatid ang pera, at pagkatapos ay sosorpresahin ka ng ilang palihim na nakatagong bayad.

Ang Mox ay isa sa iilang bangko sa Hong Kong na nag-aalok ng madaling pag-usapan at katamtamang palitan. Kaya makakamtan mo ang parehas na palitan, bumibili ka man o nagbebenta, na walang patong sa palitan at walang nakatagong singil.

Ang bawa’t transaksyon ay ginagawa nang ligtas at mabilis, at ang pera mo ay darating sa loob lang ng ilang segundo.

Masusubaybayan mo ang iyong mga bayarin sa Mox app, kaya payapa ang iyong isip sa bawa’t hakbang. At, kapag nakumpleto na ang paglipat ng pera, ipapaalam namin sa iyo.

 Makakapili ka rin kung anong salapi ang ibabayad sa iyong pinadalhan. Kung gusto mong peso ang tanggapin ng iyong padadalhan, makakaasa ka na mas maganda ang palitan kesa sa mga tradisyunal na bangko. 

Ang lahat ng singil ng Mox ay isa-isang nakahayag mula sa simula.

Sa limitadong pagkakataon, mula ngayon hanggang 31 March 2024, subukan ang aming global transfer service, at walang babayarang FX at remittance fee sa unang buwang paggamit mo. 

Ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Buksan na ang iyong Mox app at subukan ang Express Remit ngayon!

---

Uutang o hindi? Umutang lang kung kaya mong magbayad!

* Express Remit Promotion (March 2024) Terms and Conditions apply.

HK Flower Show 2024 to open Friday

 

Entrance to this year's HK Flower Show is all set up

The much-awaited Hong Kong Flower Show for this year will open on Friday, Mar. 15 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, and will run for 10 days.

This year’s theme is “Floral Joy Around Town” and will have Angelonia, also known as the Angel Flower, as its featured flower. Angelonias are small blooms in varying colors which are native to the tropical Americas, but can be grown nearly throughout the year.

A total of 81 organizations, both local and overseas, will take part in the Flower Show 2024. They include two from the Philippines – Blue Grass Project which copped an award in last year’s show, and the World Flower Council, Philippine Chapter.

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Unlike last year, however, there will be no display from the Philippine Consulate in this year’s show.

But as in the pasr, the Tinikling Migrant Workers Group will be among the performers during the show which will run from Mar 15 to Mar 24, from 9am to 9pm daily.

Aside from the wide variety of flowers that can be seen at the show, there will also be full garden displays put together by various government departments in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Mainland.

A “mosaiculture display” called The Candy House and assembled by 1,100 students from various schools, will also be on show.

These tiny and fragrant blooms called "Angelonia" take center stage this year

Various activities will also take place, including competitions in student drawing, photography and plant exhibit, as well as music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, workshops on greening activities, guided visits, as well as family fun games.

There will also be booths selling all kinds of flowers and plants, as well as refreshments.

Tickets can be bought at the gates at the regular price of $14, and $7 for the concessionary rate for children aged 4-14 and full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, and persons with disabilities with one accompanying carrier.

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On weekdays, or from Monday to Friday, seniors and PWDs with one carer each, can enter for free. A half-rate concession is given to adults in groups of 30 or more who enter the venue together.

For more information, check out the event website: www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2024/index.html

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2 Filipina asylum seekers jailed for overstaying

The 2 Filipinas pleaded guilty to overstaying at Shatin Court

Two Filipina asylum-seekers have been sent to jail for nine and 26 weeks, respectively, after pleading guilty at Shatin Court to overstaying.

Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan convicted the two on Monday (March 11) of breach of condition of stay, which is punishable under the Immigration Ordinance with a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

Madelyn Magaoay, 53 years old, was jailed for 26 weeks for overstaying for seven years until her arrest on May 27, 2023, according to the complaint filed by the Immigration Department.

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She was originally given by Immigration two weeks, or until June 10, 2016, to leave Hong Kong after arriving as a visitor.

Devine Alon, 37 years old, was sentenced to nine weeks’ imprisonment for overstaying for 22 months, or from March 22, 2022, until her arrest last Jan. 6.

She arrived in Hong Kong as a domestic helper and was allowed to stay and work in Hong Kong until her visa expired on March 22, 2022.

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She did not renew her visa and overstayed until she turned herself in on Jan. 6 this year . 

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