Showdown looms at Senate

 

New majority of 12 senators elect Sherwyn Gatchalian as acting Senate President

Another standoff is looming at the Philippine Senate on Thursday,  June 4, after the previous minority bloc convened the 20^th session by gathering what it claimed was a majority of 12 senators, and agreed to declare all positions vacant and proceeded to vote in new leaders.

Elected as Acting Senate President and Speaker Pro Tempore was Sherwyn Gatchalian, who presided over the session in the absence of 11 other senators who had boycotted two earlier sessions in protest at the arrest for plunder and subsequent detention of their ally, Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

After the heads of the various Senate committees were elected, along with a new secretary and sergeant-at-arms, the senators adjourned the session sine die, or at a future date to be determined.

The crucial 12^th vote came from Senator Chiz Escudero, who moved over from the other side, but denied it was not a political move, but an attempt to restore credibility to the Senate.

The new majority maintained that while the Constitution requires 13 votes for the election of a new Senate President, only a simple majority of the senators capable of casting their votes is needed to convene a session to kick out the Senate President.

As of now, only 22 of the 24 elected senators are able to physically attend sessions. One of the 24, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, is on the run after being issued with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, while Senator Estrada was slapped with a non-bailable charge of plunder on June 1.

Cayetano says on Facebook that he is still the 'legal, legitimate and moral' Senate president

The change in leadership was immediately condemned as illegal and unconstitutional by ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who announced via Facebook live that the investigation by the Blue Ribbon Committee into the graft-riddled flood control projects will start Thursday.

In line with this, his sister and committee chair Pia Cayetano issued a public notice to a number of resource persons to attend the scheduled hearing.

But Alan Peter himself said his group may be barred from entering the Senate to start the inquiry, and thus called on the public to come out in force to support them.

Senator Erwin Tulfo who acts as the Senate spokesperson, said the new leadership has already rescinded Alan Peter’s order for the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting tomorrow. Instead, the committee hearing will start on Monday.

To ensure no Senate employee is caught in the crossfire between the two opposing factions, Acting Senate President Gatchalian issued an order making Thursday a work-from-home day.

The move, along with the replacement of the Senate secretary and sergeant-at-arms, effectively deprives Cayetano and sub-committee chairman Rodante Marcoleta of the chance to use Senate facilities and resources to conduct their own public hearing on the flood control mess.

Earlier, the new Senate majority called for the upper chamber to “get back to work” after the opposing bloc boycotted the two constitutionally-mandated sessions on June 1 and 2.

The new ruling group stressed that the Senate must continue fulfilling its constitutional duties despite the ongoing political turmoil.

The bloc cited legal and historical precedents in declaring that the presence of 12 members constituted a quorum, and praised Senator Escudero for filling the remaining slot that was needed for the Senate to proceed with the session.

 

Pinoy jailed for using Octopus card he found to buy $59 worth of goods

Temple Road Peak

When you find an Octopus card, never pick it up. If you do, and worse, use it for purchases, it could land you in jail.

Roel Galanza, 43 and unemployed, found an Octopus card at a public toilet and used it to purchase $59 worth of goods. He was charged with theft on two counts as Eastern Court, pleaded guilty and sentenced to jail for two months.

Galanza was charged with violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance for which he pleaded guilty.

Basahin ang detalye!

The first charge arose after Galanza found and kept one Anonymous Elder Octopus Card and one JoyYou card, the property of Tow Peraya, outside public toilets of Tin Hau Temple Road Garden, Tin Hau Temple Road, North Point last April 6.

The next day, he made a HK$59 purchase, an amount owed by Octopus Cards Limited to the cards’ owner.

After he pleaded guilty to both charges, Principal Magistrate David Cheung sentenced him to four weeks imprisonment for stealing the cards, and two months imprisonment for using them, both sentences to run at the same time.

He was also made to pay compensation of $59.

In his court appearance today, it was also found that he had 20 previous convictions. 

Pinoy’s one-day trial for indecent assault extended

 

The one-day tri

Kowloon City Court

The trial for indecent assault of a Filipino masseur began today at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts but had to be extended to accommodate more testimonies lined up by both prosecutor and defense lawyers.

Magistrate Claudia Ng adjourned the case to June 24 and granted defendant Mark Lawas, 38 years old, bail of $5,000.

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Lawas, who is a Hong Kong resident, is accused of indecent assault contrary to section 122 (1) of the Crimes Ordinance, which provides that “a person who indecently assaults another person shall be guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years.”

Basahin ang detalye!

The police complaint said the alleged indecent assault on another person, identified only as X, took place on Oct. 25, 2025, at a corridor of Flat A, 15/F, Kam Wa Building, 514-516 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.

First OFW Global Summit set on Jun 7

 

DMW officials announce first-ever OFW Global Summit

The Department of Migrant Workers is set to gather overseas Filipino workers, government agencies and migrant advocates for the first-ever OFW Global Summit in Quezon City on June 7, designated as Filipino Migrant Workers Day.

At a press conference Monday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the summit aims to strengthen support systems for OFWs while recognizing their role in nation-building.

 “Alam natin na sa bawat pag-alis ng mga OFW, may pamilyang umaasa, may pangarap na binubuo, at may sakripisyong hindi laging nakikita. Ang ating mga OFWs ay hindi lamang nagtatrabaho para sa kanilang pamilya. Sila rin ay malaking bahagi ng pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” Cacdac said.

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(We know that with every departure of OFWs, there is a family hoping, a dream being built, and a sacrifice that is not always seen. Our OFWs do not only work for their families. They are also a significant part of our country's development)

He said through the OFW Global Summit, the DMW, together with OFW leaders and organizations, and partner government agencies, will showcase and provide programs and services that address the real needs of OFWs.

Cacdac said the summit will also tackle priority legislation affecting migrant workers and lessons from previous crises affecting OFWs. 

Basahin ang detalye!

The summit, to be held at the Quezon City MICE Center this Sunday, is expected to draw around 1,000 OFWs and connect migrant communities abroad online through livestreaming.

It will feature plenary discussions, workshops, government services, job matching programs, entrepreneurship sessions, and policy discussions focused on migrant concerns.

The DMW said the summit with the theme “Serbisyong Buo, Kalingang Totoo: Inclusive Empowerment of Global Filipinos for Resilience and Nation Building,” forms part of a month-long celebration this June.

Director Francisco Aguilar Jr., overall chairman of the summit, said the event marks a milestone for the DMW.

“Ito po yung kauna-unahang pagkakataon simula ng maitayo ang ating departamento na magkakaroon po ng ganito kalaking selebrasyon,” he said. (This is the first time since our department was established that we will have a celebration of this magnitude).

Among the participating government agencies are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration, and other partner institutions, which will also provide frontline services during the summit.

 

Deadline for 2026 ‘Likha’ business competition for OFWs set for Jun 15

 

All wannabe entrepreneurs among overseas Filipino workers for at least five years have until June 15 to take part in the 2026 Likha Global business plan contest where top prizes are at stake. 

The Linangin ang Kakayahan sa Kabuhayan Award or Likha Global Business Plan Competition is organized annually by the Department of Migrant Workers as part of its reintegration program for OFWs. It aims to help OFWs set up businesses that could provide them a stable income on their return home to the Philippines.

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An announcement just published in the Facebook page of the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong says the competition which opened last month, offers a top prize of Php500,000 as seed capital for the national winner.

Last year, an OFW from Qatar, Marisol Amihan, won the top prize of Php700,000 for her sustainable farm development proposal. First runner-up Catherine Espiriti, a domestic worker in Kuwait, received Php500,000 for her business plan for goat raising while second runner-up Jimmy Chavez, Jr. won Php400,000 for his nipa palm wine project.

Thirty-eight finalists, including three domestic workers from Hong Kong, each took home Php100,000 for their respective business plans.

The awardees in the 2025 Likha Global Business Plan Competition

To qualify, one has to be currently working abroad, has at least five years’ experience as an OFW, is documented in the latest deployment, an active member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and is not yet operating a business in the Philippines.

Basahin ang detalye!

All they need to present is a business idea, and if they pass the initial screening they will receive free mentoring and coaching on how they can make their dream business turn to reality.

Those interested to join may register online through this link:  https://bit.ly/likha-ofw

 

Pinoy’s drug trafficking case elevated to DC

 

HK International Airport (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino bartender charged at West Kowloon Court with drug trafficking after his luggage allegedly yielded eight kilos of marijuana when searched at the airport, returned to jail today after his case was elevated to the District Court.

Principal Magistrate  Don So adjourned the case to June 18,

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Aaron Jared de Guzman, 26 years old, faces two charges:

• Trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
• Possession of a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, contrary to sections 23(1), 33(1) and 34 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

De Guzman was arrested on Aug. 30 last year minutes after arrival, when Customs officers checked his luggage at the Customs Arrival Hall B at the Passenger Terminal 1 of the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok.

Found in his luggage were 8,076 grams of cannabis in herbal form.

He was also found to have in his possession a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, namely 5.42 grams of a liquid containing nicotine.

Filipino wanted for human trafficking arrested after repatriation from Cambodia

 

The suspect was among 7 Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia

A man who was among seven Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia on Sunday was arrested by an inter-government team shortly arriving at Manila international airport after he was found to have an existing warrant of arrest for qualified human trafficking. 

John Lerry Amit came with six victims of human trafficking to Cambodia at around 5:15am on Sunday. The group was immediately assessed individually for whatever services they could avail of from various government agencies.

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It was during the processing that Amit was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking, the details of which were not disclosed in a press statement issued by the Department of Migrant Workers.

The offence is non-bailable under Philippine law, and the prescribed maximum sentence for those found guilty of the crime is life imprisonment, and fine of up to Php5 million.

Details here

Human trafficking is classified as “qualified” in the presence of such aggravating factors as having been committed by a syndicate, where at least one victim was a minor or under 18 years old, if the victim dies or becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is infected with HIV/AIDS.

Amit was immediately read out his rights as an accused under Philippine law, and afterwards was transferred to the custody of airport police ahead of his detention and court appearance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The DMW said it continues to work with various government agencies in the campaign against illegal recruitment, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation of Filipinos abroad.

The rescue, protection and provision of legal assistance to victims is a top priority, alongside efforts to immediately arrest and hold accountable those behind illegal recruitment and human trafficking offences.

 

 

2 DHs in jail over alleged thefts of around $1M each

 

District Court

Two domestic helpers charged in separate theft cases involving around $1 million each, were sent back to jail after hearings at District Court last week.

The two, accused of theft contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, were Jeanny Llarenas, 50 years old, and Analyn Doregios, 44 years old. Both cases were adjourned to Aug. 25 by Judge Stanley Chan.

Llarenas, 50 years old, is charged with theft for allegedly stealing five watches, two gold pendants, three necklaces, one pair of earrings and two bracelets worth $1,010,000 between of March 26, 2025 and Oct. 15, 2025 at their house n Deerhill Bay on Tai Po Road - Tai Po Kau, Tai Po.

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Originally, when the case was taken up by Fanling Court on Dec. 12, 2025, she was accused in the first charge filed by police, of stealing two Rolex watches with a total value of $500,000 on an unknown date between June 1 and Oct 15 this year.

The second charge involved the theft of two Rolex watches and a Citizen watch worth a total  of $510,000 during the same period.

The two charges were consolidated when it reached the District Court.

Details here

Doregios was originally charged at the West Kowloon Court. Her case was elevated to the District Court last May 12.

She is accused of stealing 34 pieces of gold ornaments (including bracelets, necklaces, pendants and rings), 300 British pounds in cash, 10,000 Euros in cash and 3,000 Swiss francs in cash, total value about HK$940,000, the property of Wong Cheuk Kiu.

Basahin ang detalye!

The theft allegedly took place between June 13 and Nov. 5, 2025, at her employer’s flat in Belvedere Garden Phase 3, on Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan.

The two Filipinas have been in jail since their respective arrest.

DMW applauds SC’s dismissal of appeal in illegal recruitment case

 

Job applicants are advised to check if a recruiter is licensed with DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal of a Filipina recruiter against the lower courts’ decision to convict her of large-scale illegal recruitment involving sabotage.

The Philippines’ highest court not only upheld the decision to sentence Natalie Caluducan to life imprisonment, it also increased the fine imposed on her to Php5 million. She was likewise ordered to reimburse her three victims the amounts they paid as placement fees, with interest of 6% per annum computed from the date of the SC decision.

The SC found Caluducan, together with her co-accused Tessie Tugaoen, who remains at large, falsely represented themselves as capable of deploying workers abroad and collected between Php125,000 and Php212,000 from three victims for placement and processing fees.

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Calucudan had argued that she could not be held liable for the illegal recruitment of the three jobseekers from Cagayan in 2012 as she was not the one who received their money and promised them jobs as worm pickers in Canada. 

In dismissing the appeal, the SC ruled that illegal recruitment may be committed even if the recruiter did not personally receive the money, as long as the offender gave the impression of having the power or authority to send workers abroad for employment. 

The court upheld the rulings of both the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan and the Court of Appeals finding Calucudan guilty of massive illegal recruitment along with Tugaoen, for offering the overseas jobs to the victims, despite having no licence or authority from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. 

Details here

During the trial, it emerged that the victims were promised a monthly income of Php88,000 once they got deployed as worm pickers in Canada.

Tugaoen was the one who offered them the jobs in 2012 and received from the three the following amounts in processing fee: Php215,166.14; PHP 212,593.675; and PHP 125,037.35.

Upon Tugaoen's instruction, the three met with Caluducan in July 2013 to fill up and sign their purported employment contracts.

During their meeting, Caluducan represented that she is Tugaoen's business partner. She also assured the victims months after they had paid the fees that their job applications were still being processed.

Basahin ang detalye!

Failing to get anywhere with their applications despite paying the hefty fees, the victims asked POEA to check whether Tugaoen and Calucdan were licensed recruiters. They were informed via a certification that the two were not licensed or authorized to recruit workers for overseas.

The victims then sought POEA’s help to file a complaint against both Tugaoen and Calucdan. Tugaoen had by then gone into hiding, while Calucdan pleaded not guilty to the charge of large-scale human trafficking.

The DMW commended the courage of the victims in pursuing justice, and reiterated its commitment to protect the welfare and uphold the rights of Filipino migrant workers.

The DMW also reminded the public to transact only with licensed recruiters and to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through its webpage:  (https://dmw.gov.ph/) before applying or paying any fees.

Illegal recruitment victims and concerned individuals  are urged to seek help from the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip/), the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, via email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph, or through their hotline number (+63 2 8721-0619).

They may also go to the nearest DMW Regional Office to their location for legal assistance in filing cases against illegal recruiters.

Pinoy in jail after jumping bail in HK$5.55M money-laundering case

 

Ledesma after District Court hearing on Jan. 4, 2024 (File photo)

A Filipino facing a money laundering charge involving US dollars and euros with a total value of HK$5.55 million, has been remanded in jail by the District Court after it adjourned the case to Aug. 11 for mention.

Jose Rizaldo Ledesma, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, had earlier been re-arrested under a warrant for jumping bail after not showing up for the second of the three-day trial on the same case on April 1 last year.

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Judge E. Lee remanded him in jail after hearing the circumstances of his absence.

Ledesma, a former musician, is charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. The offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Details here

The charge arose from €21,500 Euros and US $706,468.21 in illicit funds that passed through his account with the Bank of China. (Hong Kong) Limited between Aug. 5, 2020 and Oct. 21, 2020.

Ledesma had earlier pleaded not guilty and was on the second day of his trial at the District Court when he jumped bail. His cash bail of $300 was forfeited by Judge G. Lam, who ordered that he not be allowed to post bail once arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ledesma, according to the police complaint, is also known as Ledesma Jose. Rizaldo Raymundo and Leoesma Tose Rizhido R.

Pinay found guilty of voyeurism, to appeal

 

La Marina, where the offense allegedly took place (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina was today found guilty of voyeurism after trial at Eastern Court and was sentenced to 14 days’ jail, but she is appealing the magistrate’s decision.

Geraldine M. Albarico a 42-year-old wife and mother, is on bail of $2,500 pending an appeal.

Magistrate Wat, said he did not give more weight to the claim of X, a local housewife, that her domestic helper Albarico had secretly took a photo of her while she was taking a bath after a drunken spree and sent it to her Philippine number.

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But she drew the line on the possibility that private photos of people could be spread.  

The charge sheet said the voyeurism, an act contrary to section 159AAB (1) and (3) of the Crimes Ordinance, happened on an unknown date between Sept 1, 2023 and Feb 25, 2024 inside the bathroom of a flat in La Marina, Aberdeen.

X said she came to know about the photo, which was taken with a phone they used for family chats and showed one of X's breasts as she lay in the bathtub, only when she began scrolling through the photos in the phone about four to five months after sacking the helper.

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On cross-examination, Albrarico’s lawyer put it to X that no such photo existed because if it did, she would have shown it to the police when she filed her complaint against her former maid.

“You did not take it to the police because such a photo did not exist,” said the lawyer. “Either you’re making things up or your memory was bad.” X disagreed.

Press for details

The court heard that there were about 500 photos in the family phone, mostly showing Albarico  washing X’s hair and applying oil on her scalp, as well as performing “gua sha” – a traditional Chinese method of healing that involves scraping the skin – on the employer.

The lawyer also suggested to X that the reason she made up the allegation was because Albarico refused to sign another contract with her, despite her salary being raised from $6,000 to $6,500 a month. When she declined to renew, X terminated their contract with only two months to go.

Basahin ang detalye!

Albarico, who by then had found another employer, was about to fly back to the Philippines for a short vacation to attend her son’s graduation when she was detained at Hong Kong Airport as a result of  X’s complaint.

HK Police arrest 14-year-old boy over blade left on bus

 

Police announcing the arrest of the teenager

Police said on Friday that they had arrested a 14-year-old student suspected of leaving an open cutter in between seats on a Citybus after an argument with a school mate.

The 13-centimeter cutter was found by another passenger with about a centimeter of its blade protruding from the gap between two seats of a Citybus route 37A. No injury was reported.

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The passenger alerted police, who had the bus driven to a terminus in Admiralty, where the cutter was retrieved.

Following a review of the CCTV from the bus, the police managed to identify the teenager, and arrested him on Thursday afternoon.

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The police investigation showed the teenager boarded the bus with a classmate on the southern part of Hong Kong island.

A dispute between the two resulted in the 14-year-old boy brandishing the cutter blade in front of the other student, then left it between the two seats before getting off in Wan Chai.

Press for details

The other passenger found the open cutter on the upper deck of the bus as it was nearing Admiralty.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and wounding with intent. He was released on police bail pending further investigation.

Basahin ang detalye!

Police said the case was an isolated incident, with no evidence of gang involvement.

It was also apparently unrelated to an incident four days earlier, when a woman passenger was pricked on the back by a needle left on another Citybus.

Police reminded passengers on public utility vehicle to act responsibly and avoid committing act that could endanger other people’s safety.

 

HK Observatory warns of very hot summer

 

The Observatory held a joint news conference with an association for elderly safety

The Hong Kong Observatory has advised the public to prepare for a very hot summer this year, two days after hoisting the first “very hot weather” warning this year.

HKO Acting Assistant Director Choy Chun-wing said at a press conference that the extremely hot weather will continue until Friday, especially during the day. Everyone who ventures out is advised to take adequate protective measures against the heat.

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Temperatures will continue to hit the 35-degree mark in the urban areas, while in the New Territories, it could go up to between 36 and 37 degrees.

Choy further explained that because of El Niño the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equators of the Pacific are expected to continue rising. An El Niño event is forecast to develop during summer and autumn, and could last until the end of the year or early next year.

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As a result of the combined effects of global warming and a stronger El Nino, Hong Kong is expected to be hotter than normal this year and next year, with the annual mean temperature rising above normal.

Choy warned there will be a high chance of this year’s temperatures reaching the ten top warmest years on record.

The Hong Kong public is advised to prepare for the very hot weather this summer. Those who are vulnerable to heat stroke are particularly advised to take extra care.

Press for details

Joining the press conference was Maura Wong, chief executive officer of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, who warned that the elderly are more prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during the height of summer.

She said that a telephone survey conducted by her group last year showed that nearly one in four elderly persons reported feeling unwell due to the heat. They reported feeling dizzy or had difficulty breathing.

Last summer alone, the Association handled more than 7,700 emergency cases that required hospitalization.

Basahin ang detalye!

And just last Tuesday, the Association recorded 1,912 emergency calls, a figure that was eight percent higher than its daily average.

Choy urged the elderly and their carers to take extra precautions against the heat, particularly during the height of summer.