Search for the 2027 Bagong Bayani awardees now on

 

HK's Eva Mapa was among the Bagong Bayani awardees last year

The search for next year’s Bagong Bayani awardee among overseas Filipino workers all over the world has been launched, in line with this year’s theme for the 31^st Migrant Workers Day, “Bayan, Bayani, Bayanihan.

The Bagong Bayani Awards administered by the Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc. (BBFI), in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is a biennial (held every two years) search for OFWs who have shown outstanding, exemplary and heroic achievements in various fields.

Since its launch in 1984, a total of 1,738 OFWs have been recognized for their notable achievements and for adhering to labor migration rules and regulations.

Among the eight awardees last year was Hong Kong OFW Eva Rasgo Mapa, who was conferred the Bagong Bayani for Community and Social Service Award for leading her group World Medical Support (Womed) Hong Kong, in providing free blood pressure and blood glucose tests to their fellow OFWs who visit the Consulate on Sundays, even at the height of the pandemic.

Pre-qualification criteria for the 2027 Bagong Bayani nominees

The eight categories for the 2027 Bagong Bayani Awards, along with the basic description of the ideal candidate in each category, are as follows:

Outstanding Employee: Consistently shows exceptional dedication, efficiency, and professionalism in their workplace.

Community and Social Service: Actively participates in or leads civic, humanitarian, or community-building initiatives in their host country.

Culture and the Arts: Fosters appreciation for Filipino heritage, arts, and culture abroad.

Successful Reintegration: Successfully returns to the Philippines and establishes a sustainable local enterprise or secures impactful local employment.

Heroic Act: Performs a selfless act of extraordinary courage, saving lives or property amidst danger.

Susan V. Ople Achievement Award: Recognizes outstanding advocacy for OFWs, particularly in labor rights and welfare.

Capt. Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award: Specifically highlights excellence, integrity, and significant contributions to the maritime or shipping industry.

Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani: The highest distinction awarded to the most outstanding and exemplary OFW who fulfills all criteria of the other awards.

The awards are usually conferred in Malacanang by the current Philippine President, and all awardees are honored with a name plate on the Bantayog ng Bagong Bayani at the DMW head office in Mandaluyong City.

Nomination forms can be accessed at URL: https://drive.google.com/.../1vyhJtSwKoJkXNpze3EWgS6sBkdF...

The nomination form together with the supporting documents (including an endorsement from the labor attache in Hong Kong) should be submitted on or before Apr 30, 2027 to:

BAGONG BAYANI FOUNDATION, INC. (BBFI)
3/F Blas F. Ople Bldg., Ortigas Ave. cor. EDSA
Mandaluyong City, 1550, Philippines
Department of Migrant Workers
Telephone No: (632) 8-705-1464
E-mail address: bbfi.bba@gmail.com

 

 

No foul play in death of 17-year-old Filipino, PCG says

 

Sea off Peng Chau, where the boy drowned Friday night

The Philippine Consulate General says the police in Hong Kong have found no indication of foul play in the death of a 17-year-old Filipino boy who fell into the sea off Peng Chau on Friday evening.

According to the Consulate’s statement posted on Facebook, “the Hong Kong Police see no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death at this point in time.”

The statement is an apparent attempt to quell various speculations on the boy’s death, including suggestions that it may not have been caused by an accident.

Previous reports have indicated the boy fell off Chau Tsai Bridge on the island where he lived, while he was trying to walk on its steel railings. He did not know how to swim.

A friend who was apparently with him at the time immediately called for help, and rescuers spent about two hours looking for the boy. 

He was found unconscious at about 9pm and was flown by helicopter to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan where he was declared dead shortly afterwards.

The Consulate said it has received a police notification on the tragic incident. Close friends of the boy’s family have also reached out to the Consulate, which assured them of help in handling the remains of the deceased.

“The Consulate General likewise extends its deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family and requests the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time and refrain from spreading baseless speculations about the child’s death,”said the statement.

A number of people who knew the boy and his family described the deceased as happy and fun-loving, and was not in any problematic situation at the time of his death.

Pinay faces verdict in $1M money laundering case

 

The trial of a Filipina domestic helper for money laundering of more than $1 million ended today at the Eastern Court with the verdict scheduled for July 3.

Ronnalyn Manalo, 33 years old, had her $5,000 bail extended and told by Magistrate Tobias Cheng to return to court on July 3 for his decision following the two-day trial.

Basahin ang detalye!

Manalo pleaded not guilty to a charge of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The charge arose from the flow of $1,086,434, in deposits and withdrawals from her Hang Seng Bank account between 10^th andd 22nd of April 2024, which she claimed to have no knowledge of.

The amount, “directly or indirectly, represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence,” the police complaint said.                  

High pass-rate recorded for SPLEs held in HK

 

All-time high pass-rate rate recorded for SPLE for teachers held last year

Filipino professionals from various fields who took the Special Professional Licensure Examination in Hong Kong last May have scored high passing marks, results released by the Migrant Workers Office show..

In its latest post, the MWO announced that 29 out of 33 (87.87%) who took the SPLE for architects given by the Board of Architecture in Hong Kong and Singapore passed the qualifying exam. The outcome of the exam in either testing site was not given.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The Board that administered the test was headed by its chairman, Robert M. Mirafuente, together with members Lynnda Marie B. Laraya and Miguel C. Guerrero.

The pass rate for the SPLE result was slightly higher than the national board examination held earlier this month, when 2,799 out of 3,290 examinees passed, for a 85.07% outcome.

Basahin ang detalye!

Earlier, the MWO also announced that 5 out of 15 (33.33%) who took the Agriculturists Special Professional Examination given by the Board of Agriculture in Hong Kong and Taipei last May 2026 made the mark.

Three of those who took the exam were from Hong Kong, and one of them passed, for roughly the same pass-rate result.

The members of the Board of Agriculture who gave the licensure examination are Emma K. Sales, chairperson; Eric P. Palacpac, Annabelle S. Sarabia, Anastacia G. Notarte, Maria Eden S. Piadozo and Lilia A. Portales, members.

The best performance so far was notched by the examinees in the Social Workers SPLE given by the Board for Social Workers in Hong Kong, also last May, when 2 out of 2 passed, for a 100% pass-rate.

The members of the Board for Social Workers who gave the licensure examination are Evangeline M. Guinto, chairperson; Fe J. Sinsona, Hon. Maria Lyra T. Del Castillo, Hon. Vincent Andrew T. Leyson and Hon. Jerusa C. Arnante-Homo, members.

Last year, examinees for the SPLE for teachers also did well, when 290 of the 528 examinees passed, for a record 54.92% pass rate. This surpassed the previous record of just over 50% posted in 2001, when about 500 of 1,000 or so examinees at the time aced the test.

For the May SPLEs, professionals in 37 fields were offered the chance to take the qualifying examination in Hong Kong over three days, May 29, 30 and 31, under the supervision of the  Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the Philippines. It is not clear how many SPLEs were actually held based on demand.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration for the board passers will be done on-line. Please visit the official PRC website (www.prc.gov.ph) and follow the instructions for registration.

Those who will register must upload the following: 1) Screenshot of system-generated Registration Form; 2) valid government-issued ID.

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

 

2 Pinays face drug trafficking charges

Tuen Mun Courts

A Filipina was returned to jail and another was granted bail after their three drug cases were adjourned at Tuen Mun Court.

Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang remanded Marianne  Fontanilla, 45 years old, to jail and freed Micah Layug, 28 years old, on bail of $5,000 after a hearing on Friday (June 26).

The first charge in the complaint filed by the Customs and Excise Department, accused the two of unlawfully attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and Section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Fontanilla and Layug were charged with attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug, namely 20,800 grams (20,8 kilos) of liquid methamphetamine, on Dec 18, 2025 at Yuen Long Post Office, Unit B111 & B130, 1/F, Hop Yick Plaza, No. 23 Tai Tong Road, Yuen Long.

According to a Customs press release the two were arrested during a controlled delivery after being tipped off about the arrival of the drugs from Mexico. 

Forntanilla was also charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 4(1) (a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, after she was arrested on Dec. 19, 2025 at a flat on the 12^th floor of Mirador Mansion, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

She was dealing in eight cannabis oil capsules, 3.5 grams of cannabis buds, 3 grams of cocaine, 261.5 grams of crack cocaine, 18 zip lock bags with drug traces, 1 grinder with cannabis traces and 1 cigarette pack with drug traces.

Basahin ang detalye!

The third charge also accuses Forntanilla of possession of apparatus intended for the smoking of a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 3.6(1) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

The charge arose from Customs officers finding in her possession an apparatus consisting of two smoking devices with cannabis oil capsules, fit and intended for the smoking of cannabis oil capsules.

17-year-old Filipino boy drowns off Peng Chau

 

Peng Chau island, where the boy drowned (Facebook photo)

A 17-year-old Filipino youth reportedly drowned in the sea near Cha Tsai Bridge in Peng Chau Friday evening.

According to the police, emergency services were alerted at 7:26pm after a caller reported that his friend had disappeared after falling into the water between Sea Crest Villa on Peng Lei Road and Tai Lei Island Pier. The boy could not swim.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Later reports said the youngster who lived on the island, stood on the railings of the bridge by the pier and attempted to walk but lost his balance and fell into the water.

A family friend who expressed sorrow at the tragedy said the boy called “Gabriel” was “masayahin” (jolly) and was not undergoing any problem when the accident happened.

Basahin ang detalye!

Marine police and fire crews rushed to the scene and searched for about two hours before the victim’s body was found floating about 20 meters from the pier.

He was unconscious but still had a pulse, so he was airlifted by a Government Flying Service helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, the boy was declared dead at 9:43pm.

An investigation into the case is ongoing. The Philippine Consulate said they had not been informed yet about the tragedy.

Indo helper held for alleged theft of $180k jewelry

 

Yeung Uk Road in Tsuen Wan (Wikimedia Commons file)

A 30-year-old Indonesian domestic helper was arrested Friday on suspicion of stealing various pieces of jewelry from her employer in Tsuen Wan worth an estimated HK$180,000.

Police were called by the 29-year-old employer who suspected that her domestic helper had taken a number of gold pieces from her home on Yeung Uk Roa

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Said to be missing were a gold necklace, The missing jewelry included a gold necklace, a gold bracelet, a ring and five pairs of traditional dragon-and-phoenix bangles.

After a preliminary investigation, the police arrested the helper for suspected theft.

Basahin ang detalye!

Latest reports said the helper was still being investigated by officers at the Tsuen Wan Police Station.

 

36 persons arrested in new anti-illegal work operations

 

One of those arrested was working in a restaurant

Despite the weekly raids, many illegal workers appear to persist working in such hotspots as restaurants, flats under renovation and warehouses across Hong Kong.

In the latest operation carried out by the Immigration and Labour Department, together with Hong Kong Police from June 18 to 25, 36 people were again arrested on suspicion of either working as illegal workers or acting as their employers.

A statement issued by Immigration said those arrested comprised 21 suspected illegal workers, eight employers and seven overstayers.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The suspected illegal workers comprised 12 men and nine women, aged 25 to 54. They included four men holding recognizance forms which allow them to stay in Hong Kong while their applications opposing their return home are still being considered. However, they are not allowed to work.

Six men and two women, aged 30 to 77, were suspected of employing the workers, and were also arrested.

The seven arrested overstayers were all women, aged 33 to 58.

One of the 12 men arrested is taken away for questioning

Immigration said an investigation of the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

The statement reiterated the warning that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which imprisonment is prescribed by the court.

Basahin ang detalye!

Everyone found working in Hong Kong without the consent of the Immigration Director can be jailed for up to two and three years, and fined HK$50,000.

The higher maximum penalty is prescribed for those who commit other offences, such as overstaying their visa, coming in as illegal immigrants or are on recognizance.

Employers face a maximum jail term of 10 years and $500,000 fine. All employers are mandated by law to exercise due diligence in hiring workers, including not just checking their HKID cards or passports but making sure they are allowed by law to take up work.

To report suspected illegal employment activities, call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

Pinoy jailed after violating probation

 

Eastern Court (File footage)

A restaurant manager who was free on probation, was jailed for four weeks today, Friday,  after he pleaded guilty at Eastern Court to drug possession.

“I will have to resentence your case for violating probation,” Principal Magistrate David Cheung told Ismael Ragual Jr., 39 years old.

Cheung convicted him of violating sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and cut one third from the six-month sentence, for his guilty plea.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ragual was arrested on Jan. 16, 2023, outside 37 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai District and police found in his possession a dangerous drug, namely 3 plastic bags containing a total of 0.08 grams of a crystalline solid containing methamphetamine hydrochloride (or shabu).

He was also found to have one glass tube with one end shaped as a bulb, connected to a plastic straw containing 0.02 gram of a solid containing methamphetamine.

At the time of his arrest, a probationary order was existing, also for drug possession, and set to expire on June 5, 2023.

 

Pinay sisters’ sentencing put off over compensation offer to victim

 

Carpiz sisters, Jojie and Marly

Sentencing for two Filipina sisters who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder a total of HK$1.28 million through their bank accounts, was put off today after after the Eastern Court questioned their lawyer’s offer of $200,000 compensation in a check payable to the victim.

Jojie Carpiz, 49 years old, and Marly Carpiz, 51,  who are housewives, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court last April 24 to money laundering charges involving deposits and withdrawals of crime proceeds into their respective bank accounts.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung said the proper procedure is for compensation to be paid to the court, not to the victim directly. “Otherwise, we will not know whether the payment is received or not,” he said.

Basahin ang detalye!

He thus adjourned the case to July 16 and set the compensation amount to $200,000 from each of them. He released them on bail of $10,000 with conditions such as not leaving Hong Kong and reporting to a nearby police station twice weekly.

Magistrate Cheung clarified that the compensation is restitution that will be part of the mitigation before he renders his sentence. “Will that be their total obligation, including civil cIaims? The court has to know,” he added.

Jojie and Marly face a charge of conspiracy to deal with property, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the property represented proceeds of an indictable offense, contrary to sections 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance and sections 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance.

Police accused them of conspiring in dealing with $600,750 in Jojie’s account with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited between the 24th and 27 of December 2019

Marly faces an additional charge of dealing with property known or having reasonable grounds to believe that the property represented the proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

She is accused of handling tainted money amounting to $600,000 in her HSBC account on Dec. 27, 2019.

Their co-defendant, Purwati, 34 years old, was also charged with conspiracy to deal with crime-tainted property, namely $200,000 in her own HSBC account. Her case had earlier been already adjourned to June 29 for verdict.

EOC seeks HK$250k compensation from ex-employer of dead FDH

 

Baby Jane in tears at her Labour Tribunal hearing in 2019

Hong Kong’s District Court today (Tuesday) heard a HK$250,000 claim for alleged unlawful dismissal of Baby Jane Allas, a Filipina domestic helper who was fired by her employer in 2019 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer, and later died.

The claim is being pursued on behalf of Baby Jane’s heirs by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) against the late domestic worker’s Pakistani employer, Jamil Bushra, who did not attend the hearing.

The EOC’s claim for compensation for alleged damages for loss of income, emotional distress and medical expenses is based on the Disability Discrimination Ordinance which prohibits an employer from firing an employee on the grounds of their disability.

Basahin ang detalye!

Deputy District Judge Ebony Ling reserved judgment until about three months later.

Baby Jane died aged 40 in her hometown of Palawan in 2021, two years after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments in Hong Kong with the help of private donors.

Her sister Mary Ann A. Pereira, as administrator of Baby Jane’s estate, acts on behalf of Mary Jane’s heirs, including her five children.

Mary Ann told the court that Baby Jane was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in February 2019 and received a termination letter from Bushra days later, citing her illness as reason.

Reports from that time said a letter dated Feb. 17 was served to Baby Jane by her employer in which it was stated that her contract was being terminated effective Feb. 19 because of her illness. Baby Jane was given sick leave by her doctor from Feb. 16-18.

Mary Ann said that because of the dismissal her sister became deeply distressed, lost her appetite and had difficulty breathing.

While on visitor visa, Baby Jane filed a labor claim against her employer for more than HK$46,000 for unpaid wages, return air ticket and a month’s salary in lieu of notice.

She later agreed to settle it for HK$30,000 before the Labour Tribunal but rejected an offer by her employer’s representative to drop all her claims, including the one prosecuted by the EOC, for HK$40,000.

Mary Ann told the District Court that the employer failed to pay the HK$30,000 settlement ordered by the Labour Tribunal.

Baby Jane returned to Palawan on Sept. 12, 2019, and with help from about HK$800,000 raised from online crowdsourcing by Mary Ann’s employer Jessica Cutrera, she operated a grocery store in her hometown of Narra, Palawan

She passed away on Mar 27, 2021 due to kidney failure.

Murder complaints filed against 15-year-old suspect in Leyte school shootings

 

3 students died and 20 others injured in the shooting at this high school in Tacloban

Philippine Police have formally filed murder, frustrated murder and physical injuries complaints against a 15-year-old male suspect who allegedly conspired with a 14-year-old fellow student to randomly shoot people at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte at about 9:30am on Monday, June 22.

The shootings left three students dead and injured 20 others, with three in serious condition. Police are still trying to determine what prompted the two to open fire, about an hour after the school had its flag ceremony.

The filing of complaints was made after social workers determined that the 15-year-old suspect acted with discernment.

Basahin ang detalye!

Under the Philippines’ RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, it is mandatory for the Social Welfare and Development Office to first determine if a minor suspect aged between 15 and 18 years old had acted with discernment before any criminal complaint could be filed.

The same law provides that the younger suspect who reportedly fired more shots, could not be held criminally liable.

A police spokesman said that the 15-year-old suspect was charged with three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and multiple counts of serious physical injuries as a result of the mass shooting.

But he clarified that even if the young suspect technically called “child in conflict with the law” is eventually convicted, a suspended sentence will be imposed. During this period, the child will be committed to a rehabilitation facility where he will undergo intervention and diversion programs under the supervision of social workers.

This rehabilitation will continue until he reaches the age of 21, when social workers will assess whether the intervention has been successful. If he is deemed fully reformed and rehabilitated he will be freed; if not he will be ordered to serve the remaining period of his sentence.

The police said that the 14-year-old on the other hand, will be referred to social workers for intervention and rehabilitation but could not be held criminally liable for what he did as lack of discernment is automatically presumed. This intervention will continue only for as long as the child is deemed to need it.

The possibility of filing criminal complaints against the parents of the two minors is also being considered on the ground that they neglected to provide proper guidance to their children. Civil liability is however, almost certain to be filed against them by the families of the victims.

The tragedy has renewed debates on whether the age threshold for exempting minors should be lowered especially when heinous crimes are committed. Senator Robin Padilla urged that it be lowered to 10 years old, which is way below the age most countries provide exemption for.

Earlier reports said one of guns used in the shooting belonged to a police officer who is an aunt of one of the minors, while the other was licensed to a security agency where the grandfather of the other minor worked.

Relatives of the victims are calling for the owners of the firearms to be also held accountable for alleged negligence which resulted in the two boys gaining access to them.

Authorities, meanwhile, have issued a temporary ban on the sandbox video game GoreBox, which the 14-year-old suspect had regularly played.

The app which was launched in 2023 and can be downloaded on PCs and Android devices, markets itself as “a physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction.”

However, unlike other shooting games that uses very realistic graphics, Gorebox uses blocky animation, similar to Roblox and Minecraft.

$8k fine for possession of less than 1 gram of shabu

 

Eastern Magistrates' Court 

A Filipino who lives in Macau has learned an expensive lesson after emerging from a hearing at the Eastern Court today: he was fined $8,000 for having in his possession less than a gram of ice or shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

K.N. Baniwas, 25 years old and holder of a Macau Identity Card, was accused in a police complaint of possession of a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 8(1) (a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

He was arrested by police on April 28 this year at Lee Garden Road, at the Junction of, Lan Fong Road, Hong Kong Island and was found to have in his possession a plastic bag containing 0.08 gram of a crystalline solid containing methamphetamine hydrochloride (a salt of methamphetamine).

Baniwas pleaded guilty before Principal Magistrate David Cheung, who handed down the sentence after considering the small amount of the drug in his possession.

Do not resign over unverified job offers, says MWO

 

OFWs lined up at the MWO counters (File photo)

The Philippine Migrant Workers Office has warned Filipino domestic workers not to resign when offered jobs in a third country that they cannot verify through official channels as this could lead to serious problems like loss of job, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

The advisory issued Monday said third-country recruitment or the offer to move to another country for work is not only prohibited by the Philippine government, but is also dangerous.

“Unauthorized individuals, often posing as visa consultants, agents or coordinators, have been persuading workers to resign, break their contracts, and pay large sums for supposed processing or travel arrangements that do not lead to employment,” said the advisory.

Basahin ang detalye!

“Engaging in these schemes may result in:

·       Loss of current employment and breach of contract

·       Severe financial loss from fraudulent fees

·       Immigration violations including offloading, detention or deportation

·       Exposure to abuse, exploitation or trafficking

·       No legal protection, since the job did not pass through Department of Migrant Workers’ verification

·       Dealings with illegal recruiters are prohibited under Republic Act No 8042 and the 2023 DMW Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased Overseas Filipino Workers”

If offered a job in another overseas destination, the worker must not readily give up their current jobs without first verifying whether the recruiter is licensed with the Phiippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (www.dmw.gov.ph), said the MWO.

Given Hong Kong’s two-week rule which restricts a worker’s stay in the city to only two weeks in case of termination, there would only be little chance for the worker to complete the documentation process even if the job offer was legitimate.

To avoid falling for illegal recruitment traps, workers are advised against transacting with unlicensed recruiters, visa agents or consultants and ensure that the job offer goes through proper documentation and verification by the DMW.

When offered with a suspicious job offer, the worker is advised to report immediately the MWO on the 29^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty, or call their hotline, 6345 9324.

“Maging matalino, huwag magpaloko” (Be wise and avoid scams), advised the MWO.