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

Murder witness fails in bid to appeal asylum rejection

 

The High Court upheld the Board's decision denying the Filipina's claim

A Filipina who claimed to have fled to Hong Kong because she was being hunted by a man she witnessed killing his wife, has failed to convince the High Court to review her application for asylum which had been rejected by the Immigration Department and then the Torture Claims Appeal Board.

Merriam Cantores, 51 years old, “has raised no valid reason to challenge the Board’s Decision,” according to a decision issued by the Court of First Instance last June 24 on order by Deputy High Court Judge K.W. Lung.

As a result, “the Court will not usurp the fact-finding power vested in the Director (of Immigration) and the Board,” it asserted.

TAWAG NA!

Cantores first arrived in Hong Kong as a visitor on Nov. 29, 2011, and travelled frequently to China to be able to extend her visa until May 2013. After her last arrival on May 16, 2013, she overstayed when her visa expired on May 31, 2013.

She was arrested by police on July 10, 2013.

On March 3, 2014, she applied for non-refoulement, claiming that if she is returned to the Philippines, she would be harmed or killed by a man called Joseph, who was connected to the New People’s Army, because she witnessed him murdering his wife in August 2011.

The Immigration director dismissed her claim, citing a small future risk of harm upon her return to the Philippines, that state protection would be available to her, that she can relocated to another part of the country and that her case failed to meet any of the requirements for asylum seekers such as risk to life, risk of persecution or risk of torture.

Cantores appealed to the Board, but she failed to attend its two hearings, so her appeal was determined in her absence. The Board subsequently upheld the earlier decision.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Meal discounts of up to 29% to be offered on July 1

 

Food sector representatives announce the Handover freebies (RTHK photo)

More than 2,000 food outlets from eight catering associations - and stores across Hong Kong - will offer discounts to celebrate the 27^th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China on July 1.

The restaurants and food outlets are offering selective deals with prices related to “7” and “1” in line with July 1.

Among the best deals are those offered by the Fullerton Hotel which is slashing 29 percent off meals at all its four on-site restaurants, or at 71 per cent of regular prices, from June 28 to July 7.

Restaurant chain Tai Hing will also offer a 29 percent discount for its entire menu for all dine-in customers on July 1 at all locations, except the one at the airport. 

Café de Coral branches will give the same discount for its winter melon soup dinner set for two and restaurants under Maxim group, for its baked pork chop rice.

Tai Cheong Bakery on the other hand, will sell egg tarts for $7.1 each, from June 29 to July 1.

Among the other participating outlets are Gyu-Kaku, which will offer 29 percent off for its Premium Wagyu 100-minute All-You-Can-Eat Set Dinner, while Chinese teahouses under Fu Lum Group and Sportful Garden will offer a dedicated “handover dinner set”.

The 29 percent discount also applies to all fruit juices at Circle K convenience stores.

Catering sector lawmaker Tommy Cheung said the initiative is not meant to boost sales but to join in the celebration.

"It is not how much business we do. It is contributing so that everybody will be happy come July 1 when you go out to eat,” he said.

TAWAG NA!

Cheung said it would be difficult for many merchants to offer a 29 percent off the  customer’s entire bill, and still survive.

He also said some shops dare not provide too many special offers since they are still understaffed and laborers imported from the mainland have yet to arrive.

The food industry’s offers are among a range of treats being readied for the Handover anniversary, including free rides on the tram and the Tsim Sha Tsui to Wanchai route of the Star Ferry, and a 73% discount on the Ngong Ping 360 roundtrip standard cabin cable car tickets for children and seniors from June 29 to July 1.

In addition, international tourists can enjoy a free one-way ferry ticket to Macau for a limited time until July 31 – or a bus ticket from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau through the HK-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. The complimentary bus tickets are given away on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, go to https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/events/whatson/10293/

For additional information on the Handover freebies that will be on offer in Hong Kong, visit: https://www.hksar27.gov.hk/en/offers.php

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Case of 2 DHs charged with fighting in public ends with bind-over

 

The two protagonists leave court a few meters apart with their own supporters

The case against two domestic helpers who were arrested after fighting in a public market, ended today at Shatin Court, with the prosecution dropping the charges in return for both promising not to reoffend

Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan was initially reluctant to approve of the prosecution’s bind-over offer to A. Exconde, 42 years old, and L. Pagurayan, 46, because they appeared without a duty lawyer who could explain it to them.

The two were both charged with fighting in a public place, which is contrary to Section 25 of the Public Order Ordinance, after fighting last May 27 outside the female toilet of the Jubilee Happy Market on Lok King St in Shatin.

TAWAG NA!

Chan suspended the case’s hearing and sent them to the Duty Lawyer Service of the court. They returned a few minutes later, only for the assigned lawyer to say he could not formally take over their case because they still needed to present some documents.

“It is not in public interest to prosecute you,” Magistrate Chan told Exconde and Pagurayan..

So Chan explained the bind-over arrangement to the two herself, saying it would not leave a criminal record on their history of stay in Hong Kong if they would not reoffend within one year. If they do, they will be fined $1,000 and will be punished for the new offense.

The two accepted.

Chan charged them $500 each as court costs, to be taken from their cash bail of the same amount.

The case was resolved after the prosecutor told Chan that they would offer no evidence and opt for a bind-over, because Pagurayan had promised to pay the $3,000 that she owed Exconde – the main reason for the fight.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

New X-ray machines to speed up security checks at HK airport

 

Airport officials demonstrate how the CT X-rays work (RTHK photo)

From July 2, some passengers flying out of Hong Kong will no longer be asked to take out their electronic devices and liquids from their hand-carried bags as new CT (computed tomography) X-ray machines are installed at the airport.

According to the Airport Authority, the new machines to check luggage will initially be used at four of the 35 screening lanes for people departing from Terminal 1.

Airport officials said the CT X-ray machine can provide 3D image of what’s inside the luggage to help the screening personnel to make a better and quicker decision on whether it is safe to allow the item through.

This is expected to increase the airport’s screening capacity by about 50%, from the current 240 people to 360 people per hour.

At the same time, new full-body scanners will be installed in the lanes with the new CT X-ray machines, for passengers who set off the metal detectors.

Instead of the hand-held scanner used for the second-tier check, the passengers will be asked to go through the full-body scanner, reducing the contact between the person and our security officer.”

Officials said the X-ray machines and full-body scanners will be gradually introduced in all the security lanes in Terminal 1 departure and transit areas within the year. The project is said to cost more than $800 million.

Cordillera art and culture take centre stage in HK trade fair

Young kids show great interest in Cathy Ekid's demonstration of Cordillera weaving

Two events highlighted the participation of creative enterprises from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the recently-concluded International Culture, Tourism and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in Hong Kong.

The first was the Philippine weaving demonstration held on June 22, which caught the interest of many visitors to the fair, including young children.

The second, held the following day, was a presentation that traced the Chinese influence in the artistic heritage of the Cordilleras. Philippine representatives staged the  Cordillera dance and were joined onstage by other exhibitors at the fair.

TAWAG NA!

Both events which drew large crowds, were held on the main stage of Hall 3 at AWE.

The Philippine participation in the three-day fair was organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Hong Kong (PTIC-HK) through its head, Vice Consul Robert Mabalot, Jr. The DTI-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and Pasa-Kalye Creatives lent support.

Mabalot (in white shirt) with the delegates to the art and trade fair

During the three-day fair, a Philippine booth manned by nine Cordillera representatives showcased the artworks, accessories, apparel and other products of at least 35 Filipino artists and businesses in the creative industry.

According to PTIC, the Philippine participation helped put the country on the map as a prime source of creative goods and services.

“By actively engaging in cultural events like this, the PTIC-HK aims to foster strategic partnerships and connections with key players in the global creative industry sector, said the center.

The 4-paneled Philippine booth showcased the best of Cordillera art and crafts

According to PTIC, thousands of pesos worth of goods were sold by the participating Cordillera businesses during the art and trade fair, and at least one Chinese businessman expressed keen interest in the products displayed.

For more information about the ICTICHE 2024, please visit their official website https://www.hkcultureexpo.com/ or contact the PTIC-HK at hongkong@dti.gov.ph. Or its official Facebook page, PTIC-HK.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Labour to hold another job fair this week

 

Poster for the job fair

The Labour Department will hold another two-day job fair at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on June 27 (Thursday) or June 28 (Friday) where 3,300 positions will be offered by some 60 organizations. 

A similar recruitment exercise was held at about the same time last month, when about 3,000 jobs were offered.

According to a government press release, jobs to be offered at the “Leap into a New Page” fair come with salaries ranging from $11,000 to $24,000.

TAWAG NA!

Nearly all the jobs offered (96%) require only a secondary seven education level or below, while 66 percent do not require prior work experience. About 80 percent are fulltime positions.

The vacancies span diverse sectors, including property management, real estate, catering, retail, business services, transport, and hotels.

They will offer a wide range of positions, such as duty managers, front desk team leaders, beauty consultants, cabling technicians, dessert chefs, patient care assistants, production operators, security guards, nurses and temporary book fair stock keepers.

During the event, job seekers will have the opportunity to submit their applications and may even be asked to do on-the-spot interviews.

Furthermore, LD representatives will be present at the venue’s counter to address any inquiries related to the employment services provided by the department.

The job fair will take place from 11 am to 5:30 pm at the 1st floor of Southorn Stadium, located at 111 Johnston Road in Wan Chai. If taking the MTR, take Exit A3 of the Wan Chai MTR station.

Admission to the fair is free, with the final admission cutoff at 5 pm each day.

Job seekers seeking further information on these vacancies can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website at www.jobs.gov.hk.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

DH arrested for selling fake t-shirt denies 3 charges

 

The pavement where the offenses were allegedly committed (Google maps photo)

A domestic helper yesterday pleaded not guilty to three charges, which began after she was arrested for allegedly selling a t-shirt with a fake label, and set the ball rolling for a trial in Eastern Court to clear her name.

Bianca Inocencio, 36 years old, was arrested by officers from the Customs and Excise Department on Jan. 14 on the pavement near Prince’s Bldg. and near MTR Exit K for allegedly selling a t-shirt with a forged Adidas trademark, in violation of the Trade Description Ordinance.

She was also charged with possession of goods with forged trademarks, namely 19 T-shirts with the Adidas mark, 15 Nike and two Puma.

TAWAG NA!

When the officers found out during the investigation that she was a domestic helper, they also charged her with breach of condition of stay, for violation of the Immigration Ordinance and Immigration Regulations.

A duty lawyer for Inocencio said her defense will rely on the assertion by a man who had tried to  convince an arresting officer that he owned the item being sold.

The lawyer added that she will present a character witness for Inocencio, as against 11 witnesses lined up by the prosecution.

Prrincipal Magistrate Don So scheduled the trial for Aug. 23.

He freed Inocencio on a cash bail of $1,500. 

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

6 weeks’ jail for DH arrested in Immigration raid against illegal work

Immigration officers escort those arrested for illegal work 

A domestic helper arrested in one of the raids conducted by the Immigration Department against illegal work pleaded guilty yesterday (June 24)  at Shatin Court to breaching her condition of stay and was jailed for six weeks.

Janet Languian, 47 years old, was arrested while doing odd jobs in an Aberdeen restaurant last May 8 when Immigration officers raided the estblishment.

She was charged with breaching a condition of stay, which prohibits her from doing work other than as a domestic helper at her employer’s house, in violation of the Immigration Ordinance and the Immigration Regulations.

TAWAG NA!

Languian was one of the eight suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and one suspected aider and abettor who were arrested in a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand" on May 6-9.

During the "Windsand" anti-illegal worker operations, Immigration Task Force officers raided six target locations including premises under renovation and restaurants. Six suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested.

During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 37 target locations in Western district and arrested one suspected employer and one suspected aider and abettor.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Tourist pleads guilty to prostitution, jailed 6 weeks

 

The hearing was held at the Eastern Court

A Filipina tourist married to a foreigner was jailed for six weeks today after pleading guilty at Eastern Court to prostitution and doing such a business, in breach of her permission to stay as a visitor.

“I plead guilty and sorry, your honor,” said Sheryl J.U., 39 years old, as she sobbed through the proceedings on the two charges filed against her by HK Police -- soliciting for an immoral purpose and breach of condition of stay.

Principal Magistrate Don So accepted her plea and promptly sentenced her to six weeks’ imprisonment, to run at the same time.

Before she was taken away by officers to serve her sentence, Sheryl asked for a chance to speak to her husband, who was in the court room.

TAWAG NA!

However, Magistrate So advised the husband to ask the police which prison they were taking her, so he can visit her there.

Sheryl was arrested last June 21 after she offered sex for $2,000 to a man, who happened to be a police officer, at the corner of Luard and Lockhart Roads in Wanchai.

She was charged with violating Section 147(1)(a) of the Crimes Ordinance, which provides for a punishment of a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and imprisonment for up to six months.

In addition, she was charged with establishing a prostitution business in a room in Ming Hotel on Lockhart Road in Wanchai, which breached her condition of stay as a visitor allowed to remain in Hong Kong until July 3.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Filipina DH drowns in Deepwater Bay

 

Lifeguards shield the victim during resuscitation effort (photo by Lala Pascual)

Police have confirmed that a Filipina has died after being fished out of Deepwater Bay by lifeguards last  night at about 7:00pm. She was taken unconscious to the hospital where she was later declared dead. 

The police said that after preliminary investigation “personnel believe the subject accidentally drowned while swimming at the site.

A police spokesperson confirmed her nationality, but said they had no record of her occupation. However, a number of her friends who commented online about her death identified her as a foreign domestic helper who hailed from Mallig, Isabela.

TAWAG NA!

One fellow Filipina who happened to be at the beach at the same time said the victim was in the water for about an hour before she was rescued. She shared a picture of the victim being shielded by lifeguards while being given first-aid.

The police report said a lifeguard called for help after the woman was found in the water about 20 meters from the shore.

She was said to be comatose when rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai where she was later confirmed dead. An autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of her death.

Reports say a similar incident happened at the same site three days earlier, when a 91-year-old woman drowned while swimming about two meters from the shore. She was pronounced dead at the hospital after being rescued.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Man fined $12k for operating unlicensed employment agency

 

Employment agencies must abide by the law, as well as the Code of Practice 

A man was convicted at Eastern Court on Friday of operating an employment agency without a valid license, and as a result, was fined $12,000.

He was also ordered to refund the service fee of $1,795 to the employer who filed the complaint against him.

Operating an employment agency without a license is a violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (EO).

PINDUTIN DITO

The irate employer who was seeking to hire a foreign domestic helper filed a complaint with the Labour Department against the defendant in March 2023.

Following an investigation the LD initiated a prosecution after finding enough evidence that showed the man was operating an agency without a license.

Under Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations, all employment agencies must obtain a license from the LD before starting operations. Except for the license holder or his/her associates, no one is allowed to operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA.

TAWAG NA!

Labour advised agencies to comply with the law as well as the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence.

The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.

 Any enquiries related to EAs, including suspected breach of the law or the Code of Practice may be directed to the the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road,

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS

Filipina DH gets off lightly on assault charge

The Filipina's case was resolved at West Kowloon Courts

A Filipina got off lightly at West Kowloon Court from a case of assault, after she accepted a bind-over agreement in which she promised not to reoffend in the next 12 months, or else she will be fined $1,000.

Under this arrangement, C. Bernadas, 30 years old, need not pay the fine if she does not commit any similar offense within the one-year period.

But Bernadas was made to pay $1,000 in court costs by Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui during a hearing held on Friday (June 21), deductible from her bail of the same amount.

PINDUTIN DITO

The case was subsequently withdrawn by prosecutors, so it will not leave a criminal record on her history of stay in Hong Kong.

Bernadas, a domestic helper, was accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Common Law and punishable under the Offenses against the Person Ordinance.

Under the ordinance, the punishment for this offense can be up to 3 years’ imprisonment.

TAWAG NA!

The case arose after an altercation between Bernadas and a local resident named Jiang Suk-Mei Susanna in a flat at Mei Foo Sun Chuen in Cheung Sha Wan last Feb. 12.

The altercation became physical, resulting in the police being called and Bernadas charged with assault.

However, the two parties appeared to have reached an out-of-court settlement, prompting the prosecution to propose the bind-over arrangement and drop the charge against Bernadas.

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

PRESS FOR DETAILS