Pinay, American end clash wih bind-over

 

Eastern Court (File footage)

A Filipino woman and an American man ended their clash that landed at Eastern Court, with a bind-over agreement to behave over the next 18 months or they will be fined $2,000 each.

Filipina D.I. Manning, 45 years old and a cook; and D.M. Paulsrude, 29 years old and unemployed, entered into a bindover at Eastern Court on Friday before Magistrate Edward Wong.

The prosecution withdrew the charge against Paulsrude of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Common Law, and punishable under section 39 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

He was accused of assaulting Manning, thereby occasioning actual bodily on January 28, 2026, at a flat on 8 Square Street, Sheung Wan.

Manning is accused of wounding Paulsrude, contrary to section 19 of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, on the same date and place.

17-year-old Filipino drowning victim laid to rest

 

Family and friends say final goodbye to Gab during the funeral service

About 300 people packed the Holy Cross Church in Sai Wan Ho on Monday, July 13, to say a final goodbye to Gabriel Mark Bolea, who fell into the waters of Peng Chau on the night of June 26, and was declared dead in hospital.

There was hardly a dry eye in the church as people of various ages and nationality joined the funeral mass that lasted from 10am until about noon, after which the 17-year-old boy’s remains were taken to Cape Collinson for cremation.

A big number of those who paid their last tribute were residents of Peng Chau, where Gabriel or “Gab” lived with his parents and four younger siblings; but also his classmates and a big number of friends, young and old alike, who were all obviously stricken with grief over his sudden passing.

All the youngsters called to give a eulogy or testimonial remembered Gab’s friendly and easygoing nature, and how he would light up any room he entered. One even shared how Gab had taught him to try to be happy, no matter what.

Gab's profile photo on Facebook shows him at his favorite spot on Peng Chau

Two of his friends were reportedly hanging out with Gab at his favorite spot on Chau Tsai Bridge on the island that Friday night when he accidentally fell into the water while walking on the railings.

His friends reported seeing Gab trying to swim back to shore, but disappeared under water. The two immediately called the police, but it took two more hours before Gab was found unconscious about 20 meters from the shore.

He was airlifted to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where he was later confirmed dead.

The police said in a brief statement that the official cause of death will be determined after autopsy.

 

DH pleads guilty to beating baby; sentence put off

Eastern Magistrate's Court 

A domestic helper pleaded guilty Friday at Eastern Court to beating her two-year-old ward, resulting in serious injuries, but her sentencing was put off pending a background check to determine the extent of her culpability.

Magistrate Edward Wong adjourned the case of the Filipino woman identified only as J.G.M,, 26 years old and a cousin of the child’s mother, to July 29 for sentencing. She was returned to jail for the meantime.

J.G.M was charged with Ill-treatment by those in charge of a child, contrary to section 27(1) of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The charge arose after J.G.M., “being a person over the age of 16 years and having the charge of X,”  allegedly “wilfully assaulted the said X in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering and/or injury to the health of the said X,” according to the police information filed with the court.

The offense took place on January 17, 2026 at a flat on Lamma Island.

X was the younger of the Lamma couple's children; the other was four years old, who was uninjured. Their genders were not disclosed.

On that day, the parents left for work , leaving X in her care. When they returned in the afternoon, X was crying, with mouth unable to open for feeding, and the head swollen.

When they reviewed the CCTV, they saw J.G.M. slapping and hitting the baby's head with a shoehorn.

They took the baby to the North Lamma Clinic, which arranged for a helicopter to take it to the Queen Mary Hospital.

J.G.M.’s lawyer said she arrived in Hong Kong in August 2024 in hopes to raise her family from poverty in the Philippines, but was paid intermittently by her cousin. “She was paid 1,790 pesos for the last three months,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer said J.G.M. was feeding the child who was resisting, and slapped it as a disciplinary reaction. “She understands that’s not an excuse,” she added.

Magistrate Wong said violence must never be used to discipline a child.

Nevertheless, he ordered a background study to determine why the defendant hurt the child.

The SUN editor to talk on scams affecting migrant workers

 

Money laundering, illegal recruitment and/or human trafficking - the two main scams affecting migrant domestic workers – will be the focus of the talk that The SUN editor and lawyer Daisy CL Mandap will give on Sunday, July 19, at St Patrick’s Church in Lok Fu from 2:30pm to 5pm.

Atty Mandap will be joined in the seminar, “Guarding Your Future and Your Family from Money Trap” by Fr. Franco Bellami, PIME, who is parochial administrator at St Patrick’s.

Basahin ang detalye!

The event is co-organized by St Patrick’s Parish Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development and the Mission for Migrant Workers.

As could be gleaned in The SUN’s daily online updates, money laundering has become a major concern for Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Almost every day, a Filipino is brought to court to face this serious charge. Money derived from crimes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars to a staggering HK$8 million has been found to have passed through bank accounts of Filipino migrant workers.

In nearly all of these cases, the migrant workers received only a tiny fraction of the money that passed through their accounts, but were ultimately meted long prison terms.

Illegal recruitment which often results to human trafficking is another prevalent problem, but is rarely brought to public attention because the transactions are mostly done in secret. Victims often do not seek help, until it is too late.

Hong Kong does not have laws on illegal recruitment, so prosecuting illegal recruiters who are often based overseas and operate only through social media make prosecution difficult.

While the Philippine government expressly prohibit cross-country migration, Hong Kong’s porous borders and the sophisticated operations of illegal recruiters and human traffickers have led to many MDWs falling prey to their fraud, exploitation and abuse.

In her talk, Mandap will tackle ways of avoiding these two most prevalent scams, and others that use romance, investment and bargain shopping as baits.

Mandap, a journalist and a lawyer admitted to the Philippine Bar, has been a resident of Hong Kong for 38 years, and is a known advocate of migrant workers’’ rights.

She has worked for various media groups both in the Philippines and in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Standard (now The Standard), Asia Television HK and CNN Hong Kong, and has been the editor of The SUN since 1999.

She is a recipient of various awards and recognitions, including the HK Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service, the Distinguished Alumna in Public Service by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, and the “Made It In China” award by the Philippine Embassy in China.

To participate in the talk, please scan the registration form in the poster.

 

Pinay remanded in jail over alleged $437,000 theft

 

Eastern Magistrates' Court 

A Filipina was remanded in jail after a hearing at Eastern Court today over the theft of jewelry and cash totaling $437,000.

Raquelyn Aquacito, 46 years old, was returned to jail after Magistrate Edward Wong adjourned the case to September 10. She retained the right to a bail review, so Magistrate Wong scheduled it for July 24.

Aquacito faces the charge of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

She is accused of stealing one gold chain with one gold medal, eight-gold coins, two gold medals, two gold pendants, five diamond rings and $6,000 in cash, altogether valued at  $437,000, belonging to Chinese female Tsang Ching Man.

The alleged theft took place between the 05th day of December 5, 2025 and May 4, 2026 at a flat in Ventris Place, 19-23 Ventris Road, Happy Valley.

OFWs take to ‘Big Stage’ for public speaking debut

 

Big Stage 2026 speakers Joselyn, Lovelyn, Abbi, Marissa and Fe

“Choose change and embrace the discomfort.”

“I let excitement cloud my judgment.”

“Simplify to amplify.’

“Every day was like a sparring practice.”

“My love for my child became my shield.”

These nuggets of wisdom did not come from any seasoned motivational speaker but from five  Filipino migrant workers who took to the stage at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town on July 5 to speak with ease and confidence on their life stories.

Their talks highlighted the “Big Stage” event organized by the Pinoy Impact Community Hong Kong, an organization that aims to empower the Hong Kong migrant community through storytelling, and in the process inspire personal and social change.

Basahin ang detalye!

The five – Joselyn Bisquera, Lovelyn Obedoza, Abbi Norada, Marissa Atleb and Fe Diza – only recently completed intensive public speaking modules prepared under the guidance of Pinoy Impact founders Catalina Magno and Shiela Cancino, and it showed.

All five spoke so naturally and convincingly it was like watching several TedX talks all at once. Equally impressive were their respective introducers Marilou Rodriguez, Mercy Permales, Arlene Cortel, Janet Agustin and Janet Dawaten.

All told, it was something totally different from what usually happens in a migrant workers-led event, where guest speakers, usually from the Philippine Consulate, are the ones who take center stage to impart well-wishes and some food-for-thought, while OFWs are relegated to providing entertainment through dance and song.

The day’s program also featured the unveiling of an anthology written by migrant authors, and the group’s newest segment, a Fireside Chat.

Congen Israel receives plaque from Pinoy Impact officers and event organizers

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. lauded the group’s effort in leading migrant workers to both speak up, and speak out.

“There is a deep yearning – a deep desire – in each one of us to transcend our limitations and go beyond the labels that people place on us…to be who we want to be,” he said.

But “realtalk,” he said most Filipino workers are forced to forego their ambitions because of financial needs. They go abroad for financial reasons, which people in government hope will no longer be the case in future.

“The government wants Filipinos to go abroad as an option and not as a necessity,” he said. For this to happen, there should be an upskilling or Filipino migrant workers so they can move on to better jobs, abroad or within the country.

Congen Israel also called on Filipinos in Hong Kong to use the Philippine Consulate as their no 1 source of information and services.

“Don’t think of us as a last resort,” he said. “Don’t ever feel you are alone.”

Since its founding in 2018, Pinoy Impact has put together a number of members, leaders and coaches in a bid to provide leadership and development training for Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong. 

OFWs who "have high ambitions, take pride in themselves and care about their colleagues" are encouraged to join the group so they can improve their communication and leadership skills, and eventually tell their own stories and inspire others.

For those interested in joining, click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/pinoyimpacthongkong

Pinay’s pledge to help prosecute accomplices halts sentencing

Visa application interview (Immigration Department file photo)

The Shatin Court has postponed the sentencing of a Filipina accused of overstaying and lying to the Immigration Department to obtain an employment visa, to allow her to help authorities in prosecuting people who helped her commit the offenses.

Anabelle Waguis, 44 years old, had earlier pleaded guilty to breach of condition of stay contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, and making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit contrary to section 42(1) (c) of the Immigration Ordinance.

After being detained for six months after her arrest in October 2025. she was released on bail of $5,000 last March, and has since stayed at a shelter for OFWs in Taipo.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong today extended her bail adjourned the case to Oct. 15 for sentencing.

Basahin ang detalye!

Waguis was charged by the Immigration Department with overstaying between July 6, 2023 and October 12, 2025.

She had been permitted to land in Hong Kong by an Immigration officer with a condition that limited her stay in Hong Kong until September 22, 2022 or two weeks after termination of contract, whichever is earlier.

The second charge involved Waguis lying to Immigration on September 19, 2022 in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining an entry visa to Hong Kong to take up employment as a domestic helper.

In her application, she stated that she was going to work for Ng Yuk Man as a domestic helper, which was not true.

Wife of OFW hit by bus witnessed tragedy, friend says

 

Harold remains in critical condition at Queen Mary Hospital

The overseas Filipino worker who was struck by a KMB bus on Des Voeux Central on Sunday night remains in critical condition friends told The SUN.

The OFW identified in various social media posts as Harold, aged 44, has reportedly undergone immediate surgery to the head, where part of his skull had to be removed to stem internal bleeding. 

His condition has improved slightly, but he might have to undergo a second operation on his stomach because of a blood clot..

Harold has been working in Hong Kong for less than a year and was about to start driving for his employer when the accident happened, says one of his close friends.

He and his wife who has worked for the same household for less than two years, had reportedly left a gathering with friends at the IFC (International Finance Building) nearby and were rushing to beat the 9:30pm curfew set by their employer when he met the accident at about 8:30pm.

Basahin ang detalye!

Harold had tried to cross Des Vouex Road in a rush to get to the stop for Bus 15 on the opposite side which they were supposed to take to get to their employer’s house, and did not see the speeding bus coming towards them.

His wife, aged 47, reportedly tried to pull him back to the kerb but was unsuccessful.

Parts of Des Voeux Rd and Pedder Street were cordoned off after the crash

Harold was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital where he remains comatose and in critical condition despite his brain surgery.

A police report said Harold was hit on the left front of the bus driven by a 59-year-old Mr Li, who was described as a “witness,” indicating he had not been arrested for hitting the Filipino.

Luckily, Harold’s wife was unscathed, but was reportedly traumatized, having witnessed her husband hit by the bus, that left him bloodied from severe head injuries, and unconscious.

The couple had previously worked in the Middle East before moving to Hong Kong.

The Migrant Workers Office at the Consulate said staff of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have reached out to the couple to extend help.

 

 

Student, 21, jailed 12 months for 3 kilos of marijuana

 

Customs Hall, where Filipina was arrested

A 21-year-old Filipina student who flew into Hong Kong as a tourist was jailed today for 12 months after pleading guilty at West Kowloon Court to trafficking in marijuana and importing an electronic cigarette, an alternative smoking product outlawed in Hong Kong.

Czar Francine Miranda was arrested last Feb. 21 when Customs officers at Hong Kong International Airport found in her luggage 2,921 grams of cannabis buds, a grinder containing traces of cannabis buds and the electronic cigarette with an estimated market value of about $600,000.

Miranda arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, with cannabis buds concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in her check-in suitcase, the grinder in her carry-on suitcase and the smoking product in her carry-on handbag.

Basahin ang detalye!

The Customs and Excise Department filed charges of drug trafficking in violation of sections 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and importing an alternative smoking product contrary to Section 13B of the Import and Export, Ordinance.

Principal Magistrate Don So pernalized her with 12 monhs imprisonment for drug trafficking and one  month for the electronuic cigarette, both to run at the same time..

Because Miranda has been in jail since her arrest, having no permanent address in Hong Kong, she has served almost half of her sentence and can look forward to her release by December.

Filipino doctor in HK Mike Manio dies at 49

 

Doc Mike posted this photo of him on his Facebook page last month

Filipinos in Hong Kong are mourning the sudden death yesterday of Dr Michael Manio, a lecturer and researcher in medicine at the University of Hong Kong, and friend and health advisor to hundreds of domestic workers in the city.

Doc Mike, as he was fondly called by many in the Filipino community, was 49.

He was found dead by the police last night at his flat in the HKU village housing in Wong Chuk Hang. They were alerted by his students when he failed to show up for their meeting yesterday morning.

Basahin ang detalye!

Police told his students and friends who rushed to his residence after being told about his demise that no foul play was suspected, and the house was not in disarray. The exact cause of death will be known after an autopsy.

Colleen Navarro, one of the overseas Filipino workers who closely worked with Dr Mike in the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program which he founded, and was among those who rushed to his flat last night, said they did not know of any ailment Doc Mike was suffering from.

“Ang sinasabi nya lang sa amin last Saturday, dahil sa vertigo nya kaya di kami natuloy mag bowling,”Navarro said. (The only thing he told us last Saturday that his vertigo prevented him from going ahead with the bowling that he organized).

Doc Mike posted this photo at the Police Passing-out Parade a day before he died

Navarro said people who were with him at a police passing-out parade earlier that day noticed that he looked listless and seemed to have lost weight.

Despite the discomfort, Doc Mike still managed to post various pictures of the event, thanking the HK Police for their invitation.

Yesterday, Sunday, he managed to make his last post on social media, this time to congratulate his students who passed the Änatomy Summer Programme 2026.”

Navarro said his students who were supposed to meet with him Sunday morning got worried because it was unlike Doc Mike not to show up for a meeting, much less not call or send a message that he could not make it.

Doc Mike's last post was about his students completing a course he taught at HKU

At the same time, Colleen and other DWEP volunteers thought of asking him to join them for dinner after their class in Lai Chi Kok, but were surprised that he was not responding to their calls and text messages.

“Naisip namin na baka andun pa sya sa meeting hall at di pa tapos yung meeting niya sa mga student, yun pala pati mga student din nagtataka kung bakit hindi siya sumipot.”(We thought he was still with his students at the meeting hall, it turned out even his students were wondering why he did not show up).

His students got worried enough that they decided to ask his building management to check the CCTV if he was seen leaving or entering, but there was no footage of him doing either.

The students finally decided to call the police then.

Colleen (2nd from right) celebrated her birthday last month with Doc Mike

Navarro learned about the tragedy when she and her friends attempted to again call Doc Mike via their chat group. A police officer took their call and informed them of his death.

Navarro said it pained them to think Doc Mike could have been saved had he managed to call anyone earlier to ask for help.

But for now, she and all the OFWs who have benefited from Doc Mike’s expertise that he freely shared through DWEP, his free consultation sessions and blogs, would always remember him for his humility, kindness, generosity and graciousness  

Doc Mike was a known health buff and expert on heart diseases

Doc Mike first arrived in Hong Kong in 2014, as a post-graduate scholar at HKU, where he eventually finished his PhD in Vascular Pharmacology. He previously obtained his medical degree from the Angeles University Foundation and his Master’s in Health Professions Education at the University of Santo Tomas, both in the Philippines.

Funeral arrangements for Filcom’s beloved Doc Mike will be announced as soon as they become available.

Filipino in critical condition after being hit by bus in Central

 

The KMB bus in front of the Louis Vuitton shop at the Landmark (The Standard photo)

A 44-year-old Filipino man is reportedly fighting for his life in hospital after being severely injured when a KMB struck him on Des Vouex Road Central on Sunday night.

Police say the crash happened at around 8:27pm in the vicinity of the Landmark, a known hotspot for traffic accidents. Photos of the KMB bus showed that it had stopped in front of the Louis Vuitton shop along Des Voeux Road, where there is a designated bus stop.

The bus was said to be traveling towards Sai Wan when it hit the man, knocking him unconscious. Rescue workers found the man bleeding heavily, and with severe head injuries.

Basahin ang detalye!

He was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital unconscious, where he was listed in critical condition.

Initial investigation reportedly showed the man had crossed a red light, and the bus was unable to stop in time, hitting him with the left front of the vehicle. The crash shattered the bus’ windshield.

Staff at the Migrant Workers Office say they are still checking with authorities on the identity of the Filipino victim and if he is a domestic worker, or holds a different visa status.

The SUN has also been in touch with the HK Police to ask for any update on the case, and will update this story as soon as new information becomes available.

Many of those who got hit tried a quick dash across Des Voeux Rd in front of WorldWide House

The junction of Des Voeux Road and Pedder Street in Central has been the scene of several traffic accidents in the past years, many of them involving Filipinos.

The most serious happened in December 2021, when two Filipinos, a man and a woman, were hit by a KMB bus in front of World-Wide House as they tried to cross on a red light at around midnight. 

The man escaped largely unscathed, but the woman suffered extensive head injuries and was listed in critical condition at Queen Mary. But she luckily survived after several surgeries.

She later admitted being drunk at the time, and was rushing to return to her employer’s house when she got hit. She received financial support from the government’s Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme, but had to pay much of it to KMB as reimbursement for the repair of the bus’ shattered windshield.

A similar accident on another Sunday two weeks earlier, when another Filipino, said to be drunk, was also hit by a bus, but was lucky to have survived with just bruises.

In 2018 another Filipina was struck by a bus at the same spot, leaving her with head injuries. Two passengers on the bus were also injured.

The Filipina denied she had tried to cross the street on a red light, but the court rejected her claim, and fined her $300 for negligence.

This woman who just got hit by a bus in 2024 was wrongly reported to be a Filipina

The most recent accident at the site which was well-covered on social media happened in May 2024 and involved a woman who was reportedly hit by a bus as she stood close to the curb on Des Voeux Road.

Many speculated on social media that she was a Filipina as she was carrying a straw striped bag out of which some stuffed toys spilled to the pavement. They surmised she was about to go on a vacation to the Philippines and had been shopping for gifts. 

But these were all dashed by the police later one, who said she was not a Filipina.

Pinay in alleged $1.6M jewelry theft again fails in bail bid

 

Illustrative photo created with deevid.ai

A Filipina accused of stealing $1.6 million worth of jewelry from her employer’s sister, went back to jail after her offer of $13,000 in bail money was rejected by the Kwun Tong Court.

Acting Principal Magistrate May Chung rejected the bail application of Rogela M. Caalem, 33 years old and a domestic helper, because of the risk she will not return to court when it resumes her case, the fact that she has no place to stay in Hong Kong and the gravity of the offense.

She adjourned the case to August 27 for mention.

In her first court appearance last week, Caalem also tried to apply for bail but was unsuccessful.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Magistrate Chung’s decision came after the prosecution cited the evidence they collected, such as pawnshop receipts, jewelry items still in Caalem’s possession and photos in her mobile phone showing her wearing some of the stolen jewelry.

Caalem is accused of stealing 19 pieces of jewelry, with a total value of HK$1,608,300, the property of female Mao Sara Guo Jing.

The alleged theft took place between the January 1 and June 26, 2026 at Mao’s house on Fei Ngo Shan Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories,

Basahin ang detalye!

In this case, the charge against Caalem of violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance involved a breach of trust, said the prosecutor.

Separately, another Filipina, Rosa Combo, 41 years old and also a domestic helper,  was also remanded in jail after a hearing at Tuen Mun Court of two counts of theft against her, involving cash and jewelry worth a total of HK$422,000.

Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang. Adjourned the case to September 4 for mention.

Combo is accused of stealing two gold rings, two bracelets, one baby gold necklace, one baby necklace with gold pendant, three gold necklaces, one gold bracelet, with a total value of $400,000, the property of Cheng Tsz-wing Vincent.

The theft allegedly took place between October 8, 2024 and January 29, 2026, at a flat at Riva, on 1 Ying Ho Road, Pat Heung. Yuen Long, New Territories.

At the same time and place, she allegedly stole cash of $11,000 in Hong Kong dollars and $10,000 Chinese yuan, with a total value of HK$22,928,29, also the property of Cheng.

Over at Shatin Court, domestic helper Sharon Rose Brito, 44 years old, was accused of stealing cash of $4,000 Chinese yuan and HK$2,950, the property of female Suen Wai Kam, Ruby between May 1, 2026 and June 10, 2026 at a room in Hilton Plaza, at 3-9 Sha Tin Centre Street, Shatin.

Magistrate Raymond Wong set a bail $ 2,000 and told her to return on August 11.

 

Ignacio indicted with usurpation in P1.4 billion land deal but cleared of plunder; DMW to appeal

 

Ignacio at his last visit to HK as OWWA chief in April 2025

The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnaldo “Arnell” Ignaco of usurpation of official functions in connection with the allegedly unauthorized purchase of a Php1.4-billion property using the OWWA trust fund.

However, in a resolution dated June 19, 2026 the Ombudsman dismissed the more serious allegations of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds and plunder, made by the Department of Migrant Workers against Ignacio and the property’s seller.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said they received a copy of the Ombudsman’s Resolution only last July 7, and will file a Motion for Reconsideration of the dismissal of the corrupt and plunder complaints against Ignacio and the seller.

Basahin ang detalye!

“What we plan to do is to file a Motion for Reconsideration because, in our view, the Resolution did not pass upon details that we submitted to the honorable Office of the Ombudsman,” Secretary Cacdac said.

He said those details included evidence that showed Ignacio overpaid the seller by Php198 million, because it included the price of 51 condominium units that were supposed to exist on the property but could not be found when OWWA conducted an ocular inspection.

Cacdac also said the two cheques used to pay for the property were issued and paid to the seller even before the deed of sale was completed.

We have duty to safeguard public funds, says Secretary Cacdac

The complaint against Ignacio stemmed from his alleged purchase of a P1.4 billion worth of property adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sept. 12, 2024, ostensibly to be used for building transient lodgings for overseas Filipino workers, using the OWWA Trust Fund.

The Ombudsman found that the former administrator signed the contract to sell, deed of absolute sale, and its addendum, and subsequently approved the disbursement of the OWWA trust fund, without authority from the Board of Trustees.

The Resolution said Ignacio acted under the pretense of authority from the OWWA Board of Trustees, despite knowing he had no such authority, in violation of the law on Usurpation of Official Functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

Secretary Cacdac said that this criminal offence carries a penalty of six months to four years of imprisonment.

This is far less severe than the sentence of reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office prescribed for the crime of plunder under Republic Act No. 7080. This law provides that plunder is committed by any public officer (and his cohorts even if they are private citizens) who amasses or acquires at least Php50 million in ill-gotten wealth.

Cacdac said that in the Motion for Reconsideration, the DMW will reiterate the two important elements of plunder that may have been overlooked by the Ombudsman: the alleged undue advantage given to the seller and the damage or prejudice to the government.

He said the seller gained advantage because the institutional oversight, transparency and scrutiny by the Board of Trustees was bypassed. Second, the two checks covering the Php1.4 billion payment for the property were issued on Aug. 30, 2024 when the deed of absolute sale was signed only on Sept. 12, 2024.

“There were checks issued to the seller about 12 days or almost two weeks before the signing of the absolute deed of sale,” Cacdac said.

The DMW also presented a receipt showing that the seller acknowledged receiving the payment on September 11, 2024, a day before the deed of sale was signed.

“Natanggap na ng seller yung bayad bago pa nagpirmahan ng deed of sale. We wish for the honorable Office of the Ombudsman to take a second look at this item,” Secretary Cacdac said.

As to the second element of prejudice to the government, Cacdac said this was clear in the inclusion of 51 condominium units valued at about Php97 million that were included in the Php1.4 billion purchase price, but had apparently been demolished.

“The point here is the government paid for condominium units that no longer exist. That is the damage. That is the prejudicial part to the government,” Secretary Cacdac said.

Because of the inclusion of the non-existent condominium units, the property was overpriced by Php198 million, he said.

Secretary Cacdac said he is duty-bound to file the motion because the DMW has the responsibility of protecting public funds and ensure accountability.

“This is nothing personal to the parties,” he said.