Ex-DH jailed 74 days for overstaying 2 years

 

Shatin Magistrates Court

A former domestic helper who remained in Hong Kong illegally for almost two years after the expiration of her employment contract, was jailed today by the Shatin Court for 11 weeks minus three days (or 74 days) for overstaying.

 A. Lita, 39 years old, had earlier pleaded guilty to breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, before Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong.

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A complaint by the Immigration Department charged Lita with overstaying from September 17, 2024 to July 4, 2026 when she was arrested .

The complaint said she was permitted to land in Hong Kong by an Immigration Assistant by virtue of section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance and was imposed a condition of stay in which she was allowed to stay  until September 17, 2024 or two weeks after termination of contract, whichever is earlier.

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However, she remained in Hong Kong 14 July 14, 2026.

Ex-HK OFW dies on arrival in Albania, relatives ask help with repat

 

Alma used to work as an OFW in Hong Kong

The family of a Filipina former domestic worker in Hong Kong who died on arrival in Albania last month from a reported heart attack is calling on the Philippine government for help in bringing her body home.

Alma Mariñas Francisco, 49, was reportedly recruited to work in Albania by an employment agency based in Dubai. But on arrival in Albania from Hong Kong on September 5, she collapsed and was taken straight to a hospital where she was declared dead.

In a Facebook post by Ma Josaphel Belotindos, who said she’s a partner of Alma’s son VJ Allen Mariñas Francisco, the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy with jurisdiction over Albania, were all urged to help in bringing home the remains of the late overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

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“Napakasakit pong tanggapin ang pagkawala ng aming ina. Mas lalo pong mabigat sa aming pamilya ang patuloy na paghihintay dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin namin siya naiuuwi sa ating sariling bayan upang mabigyan ng marangal na huling pamamaalam,” said Josaphel.

(It pains us to accept the loss of our mother. But the pain is made worse by having to wait this long just so we could bring her back home, and give her a fitting farewell).

 

Alma posted this photo on Facebook on her birthday in April last year

Josaphel said their family still has to be informed of the events that happened before Alma’s passing. They do not have any information about her supposed employer,  and all other details pertaining to her employment in Albania.

“Nalaman din po namin na maaaring hindi siya rehistrado o dokumentadong OFW sa Albania, dahil hindi niya naibahagi nang lubusan sa aming pamilya ang kanyang mga plano at paglalakbay,”  she added. 

“Dahil dito, hindi po namin alam kung kanino at saan kami dapat lumapit upang matiyak ang maayos at agarang pagpapauwi sa kanyang labi.” 

(We learned that she might not have been a registered or documented OFW in Albania, as she did not fully disclose to our family her travel and other plans. Because of this, we do not know who to ask or approach for help to ensure a proper and fast repatriation of her remains.”

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Josaphel added: “Mahigit isang buwan na po kaming naghihintay. Mahigit isang buwan na rin po kaming nagdadalamhati at umaasang makakauwi na ang aking ina.” (We have waited for more than a month. We have been mourning and hoping all this time that our mother could finally go home.” 

The appeal for help in repatriating Alma’s remains echoes the problems encountered by the family of another HK OFW who died also last month while awaiting her deportation back to the Philippines after her application for asylum was rejected by the High Court. 

Lina D. Realiza who had worked as an OFW for 23 years, also died from cardiac arrest on September 22, and her children also issued a similar appeal for help in getting her remains shipped to their hometown in Pangasinan. Ultimately, it was her friends in Hong Kong, notably those from the Muslim community, who pitched in to pay the HK$42,000 bill for her repatriation. 

The incident prompted several Filipino community leaders, notably Eman Villanueva of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, to hit out at the government for failing to act with haste in repatriating the remains of Lina. 

Villanueva cited several laws, including RA10022 or the so-called Magna Carta of Labor, that provides that “if an OFW becomes undocumented (irregular), the Philippine government will fully shoulder the cost of repatriating their remains.” 

He said that even the more recent Department Order 02/2025 of the DMW which specifies the use of its Aksyon Fund provides that the burial or cremation and/or shipment of the remains of an undocumented OFW can be funded from the Fund.

(Alma’s family is appealing for help in funding the repatriation and burial of her remains. Donations may be sent to the following accounts: Gcash number 09544234146 in the nameof VJ Allen Francisco and BPI Bank Account Number 0716204857  in the name of Ma Josaphel Belotindos)

 

 

Pinoy who had illegal sex with child sent to detention center

 

The District Court in Wanchai 

An 18-year-old Filipino was sentenced today at the District Court to a stay of up to six months in a detention center for having illegal sex with an 11-year-old girl, and possession of her nude pictures.

“It gives no pleasure to the court to order a young man’s detention,” Deputy District Judge Newman Wong told Liam Urtula, who was 16 when he committed the act on February 14, 2025. “You have learned a lesson. Hopefully you turn a new leaf.”

Urtula had earlier pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years, contrary to section 123 of the Crimes Ordinance, and possession of child pornography, contrary to section 3(3) of the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance.

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The sexual act took place at Urtula’s residence at Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan a week after they met in Tung Chung and started a relationship. He broke up with her the next day but asked her by text to send nude pictures if she wants him back.

He was arrested the next month after the girl’s mother discovered the nude pictures in her phone and called police. During investigation, he admitted having sex with the girl despite knowing her age.

Judge Wong said he had considered a prison term, with a starting point of 24 months less one-third for the guilty plea, but chose the detention center where Urtula will be under strict supervision and hard labor for one to six months, to administer a short sharp shock on him so he will not re-offend.

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He said he based his decision on Urtula’s young age, his immaturity, his plans to go back to school after dropping out at Form 3 to seek fulltime employment, and his pleading guilty which indicated his remorse.

Pinay jailed 2 months for misleading police

Eastern Court 

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for two months by Eastern Court today after she pleaded guilty to falsely reporting a burglary  in her employer’s house and misleading a policewoman who responded.

Trishia Clair Taga-amo, 26 years old, was charged with knowingly misleading a police officer, contrary to section 64 (b) of the Police Force Ordinance.

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She was convicted of misleading Woman Detective Police Constable (WDPC) 35416 by making a false statement of the commission of burglary in her employer’s home.

The offense was committed on August 7, 2026 at an 11^th floor flat at Paterson Street in Causeway Bay.

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With the case being resolved early, Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak cancelled the previously scheduled next hearing on November 20.

Call for Filipino professionals in HK to organize

 

287 OFWs took the 2nd SPLE in HK on Sept 30

The Migrant Workers Office is calling on all Filipino professionals in Hong Kong to an assembly so they can establish the first Philippine Professional Organization (PPO) in Hong Kong.

The assembly will be held on Nov.8, a Sunday, from 9:30am to 12 noon at the OFW Global Center on the 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

DETAILS HERE

The Filipino professionals (no definition is given by the MWO, but the term is generally used to describe a person who is engaged or performs specialized work requiring specific education or degree, training, or formal skill) are expected to elect the first executive committee of the PPO.

The PPO is seen to serve as a platform for uniting Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, promote and protect their rights and welfare, support Special Professional Licensure Examinations, currently administered by the Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines through the MWO,  and address issues affecting them.

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To join the assembly, one must register beforehand through this link: https://forms.gle/6KHQi6HxHE36GGDLA

A maximum number of three members from each organization will be allowed to participate.

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In recent months, the MWO has been hosting the SPLE for various professional groups, like teachers, engineers, architects and social workers, with impressive results.

In the second round of the SPLE held on September 20, a total of 287 examinees took part. This followed the first round held from May 29 to 31 this year, which was a historic milestone as it was the first time that the SPLE for various professions was held in Hong Kong.

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The last licensure examination for teachers yielded a pass rate of 52.11%, the highest ever pass-rate in Hong Kong, while in social work, all examinees passed the qualifying examination, for a 100% pass rate.

The SPLE is part of the government’s efforts to help OFWs gain professional qualifications and prepare for better opportunities, whether overseas or back in the Philippines.

 

 

Philippines remains in Tier 1 of US report on human trafficking

 

On the lookout for human trafficking (Photo: DMW)

The Philippines has remained in Tier 1, the highest group of countries in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the US State Department, the country’s 11th consecutive year in this category.

“The Government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” the report said.

The report cited government efforts that included enacting legislation banning offshore gaming operations and prescribing criminal liability for traffickers who recruit workers for such operations and convicting a former mayor accused of trafficking in connection with a scam center.

DETAILS HERE

According to the report, the government assisted 1,546 identified trafficking victims in 2025, up from 816 in 2024. Key structural milestones cited include adopting a nationwide mandatory victim identification system, enhancing the National Referral Mechanism, creating a centralized interagency trafficking database, and implementing the October 2025 nationwide ban on offshore gaming operations to combat trafficking linked to online scam hubs. 

Law enforcement bodies investigated 447 trafficking and online child sexual exploitation cases, prosecuted 366 alleged traffickers, and secured 103 convictions.

But the report added: “Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year.”

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The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomed the release of the report, saying it is working alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in repatriating at least 1,606 identified victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking, many of whom were rescued from forced labor in scam compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

Returning survivors received comprehensive DMW AKSYON Fund assistance, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, financial assistance, and emergency shelter.

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“The DMW, as an active member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), considers this recognition a challenge to intensify further our efforts against illegal recruiters and human traffickers who exploit the vulnerabilities of our fellow Filipinos,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.

The department noted that the report identified critical areas requiring stronger action across government, including reversing the decline in trafficking convictions, building digital-forensics capacity to combat online syndicates, screening foreign victims in scam compounds, and bolstering protections for Filipino seafarers and commercial fishers vulnerable to labor trafficking.

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“The DMW will translate these findings into intensified monitoring of deceptive online recruitment, strengthened evidence gathering for criminal prosecutions, and strict adherence to the non-punishment principle for victims. It will also expand nationwide information drives, including across social media, to help overseas Filipino workers recognize recruitment scams and report suspected traffickers,” Secretary Cacdac said.

Lan Kwai Fong ready for Halloween

 

Walls and streets in Lan Kwai Fong are lit up three nights a week with this colorful display

A new light art show depicting Halloween can now be viewed at Lan Kwai Fong in Central, in the first phase of beautification works in the area and streets nearby as announced in the 2025 Policy Address.

The light show, which was unveiled on Friday, Oct 23, transforms the stone wall on D’Aguilar Street and the nearby road surface into a stage for an interactive spatial and visual effects which are played on a loop once every 10 minutes. 

DETAILS HERE

The three-minute show runs from 7pm to 2am the next day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and is expected to draw in more visitors to the entertainment hub. 

Halloween-themed activities will be held in Lan Kwai Fong from October 24 to31. Residents and tourists visiting the area are encouraged to dress up in creative Halloween costumes while they enjoy the special art installations and dine in the various restaurants and bars lining the streets. 

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But Halloween is just the inaugural theme for the light art project, which will in future introduce other spectacles for different festivals and events, offering visitors a continuous stream of colorful visual treats. 

At the same time, the Lan Kwai Fong Association has commissioned the street art team, "All in One", to create a large-scale mural on the retaining wall adjacent to D'Aguilar Street. The 43-metre-long mural, which traces the transformation of Lan Kai Fong over the years, extends from D'Aguilar Street to Wing Wah Lane, and is expected to become a new photo spot in the area. 

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A QR code that will be added to the mural later may be scanned by visitors to learn more about Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s renowned round-the-clock entertainment hub.

Large-scale mural depicting Lan Kwai Fong's history

Halloween-themed activities will be held in Lan Kwai Fong from October 24 to31. Residents and tourists visiting the area are encouraged to dress up in creative Halloween costumes while they enjoy the special art installations and dine in the various restaurants and bars lining the streets.

A government statement said the completion of the first phase of the Lan Kwai Fong beautification project was a result of public-private collaboration between the Lan Kwai Fong Association in particular, and various government departments. 

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“By utilising their own resources and going the extra mile, the departments have demonstrated an exemplary team spirit to serve the goal of benefiting the public, tourists, and business,” said the statement.          

According to the government press release, the light art show and mural is just the initial step to “upgrade Lan Kwai Fong to version 2.0”. 

The initial phase also involves the resurfacing of the pavement and roads in the core area of Lan Kwai Fong with distinctive patterns. The second phase will cover nearby streets outside the core area of Lan Kwai Fong, including Wellington Street, Lyndhurst Terrace, and Pottinger Street. 

According to the preliminary plan, the second phase of the project which is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027 will incorporate more design elements, including enhancing the facilities on Wo On Lane and the Lok Hing Lane Sitting-out Area, which can serve as an open-air theater; improving signages within the area and enhancing synergy with Pottinger Street in attracting visitors.

Also in the works is the beautification of the Lan Kwai Fong Public Refuse Collection Point, located next to the Lan Kwai Fong Sitting-out Area along Lan Kwai Fong trail, to better integrate it with the surrounding urban design. . 

The Government launched the beautification project for Lan Kwai Fong and other parts of Central to enhance the environment and attract more visitors.

 

Consulate opens doors in renovated 14th floor premises

 

The PCG reception area: how will it look on Monday?

After 11 months of renovation, the Philippine Consulate General will reopen on Sunday (October 25) at the 14^th Floor of United Centre Building, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, offering all its services under one roof.

The 14^th floor premises will again provide the following services:

DETAILS HERE

• Passport Services
• Notarial and NBI Services
• Civil Registry and Citizenship Services
• Assistance to Nationals Services (for non-OFWs)
• Visa Services for Foreign Nationals
• Overseas Voters Registration
• PagIBIG Fund Services
• Social Security System (SSS) Services

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The Consulate premises were closed on November 16 last year, and services were transferred to the OFW Global Centre on the 18th floor of United Centre or the 29th floor of the same building, which houses the Migrant Workers Office, and an additional office on the 26^th floor.

With the reopening of the Consulate, the 29th Floor, which houses the Migrant Workers Office, will revert to handling labor- related concerns such as contract verification/overseas employment certificate (oec) and assistance to workers.

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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will continue providing services at the OFW Global Center on the 18th floor.

It was the first time that the office occupying the entire floor of the building underwent a facelift since the PCG began occupying it in the early 2000s, after entering into a lease-purchase agreement with the vendor-landlord.

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For details, contact the PCG main line at 2823 8500/ 8501 or its hotline: 9155 4023.

 

Phl peso sinks to new record low of 63.61 to USD

OFWs get more pesos for their dollars now

The Philippine peso has continued its free-fall, plunging to a fresh record low of ₱63.615 to the US dollar today, Friday, marking its 31st record low of the year. 

The peso closed 9.5 centavos down from Thursday’s close of Php63.52 to the greenback.

DETAILS HERE

The local currency hit an intra-day  low of  Php63.62 to US$1 during the day.

The currency’s continuing decline, off 7% of its value since the start of the year, makes it one of the weakest in the region.

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The escalating tension in the Middle East and the consequent rise in fuel prices has driven up the country’s import and fuel bills. 

The decision by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 5.50% while lifting its inflation forecast has also dampened investor confidence.

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Analysts warn that the psychological ₱64:$1 barrier  could be tested in the coming days or weeks if investors continue to keep away. 

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said that the central bank is not intervening just to defend a specific exchange rate floor, but is focusing instead on curbing excessive volatility that fuels inflation.

Excessive debts may affect FDHs’ chances of getting visas or extensions of stay

 

File photo from HK Monetary Authority

Excessive debts will affect the Immigration Department (ImmD) decision on whether to approve a foreign domestic helper’s employment visa or extension of stay, according to Joseph Chan, Undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.

Chanwas replying to questions by lawmaker Elaine Chik at the Legislative Council on Wednesday (October 21). He had consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Companies Registry (CR), and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA),

“The Immigration Department (ImmD) has all along exercised stringent control when vetting employment visa applications from FDHs, by holistically considering multiple factors, including conduct and integrity, records provided by previous employers concerning the FDHs, and reasons for premature termination of employment contracts, etc,” he said.

DETAILS HERE

“Previous FDH employers may provide the ImmD with reasons for premature contract termination, including excessive borrowing, for consideration by the ImmD when processing future applications for employment visas or extensions of stay from the FDHs concerned,” he added.

This is one of the measures adopted by the Hong Kong government, with various policy bureaus and departments collaborating at different levels, to address the rising incidence of excessive personal borrowing.

“Following our public consultation, starting from August this year, we have imposed restrictions on unsecured personal loans granted by money lenders to low-income earners, including restrictions of income, debt servicing ratio, total outstanding loan amount and repayment period. We have also prohibited money lenders from requesting borrowers to provide loan referees,” he said.

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The Labour Department (LD) also strictly regulates employment agencies (EAs), Chan said.

“The Code of Practice for Employment Agencies (CoP) promulgated by the LD stipulates that EAs should not provide job seekers with information relating to personal loans, and should not advise, arrange, encourage or force job seekers to borrow money from any institutions within or outside Hong Kong. EAs violating the CoP may have their licences revoked or their applications for licence renewal refused,” he added.

If organizations elsewhere are found to have engaged in malpractices in arranging FDHs to take up employment in Hong Kong (such as improperly coercing FDHs into taking out loans), LD will seek action from the consulates-general of countries where the FDHs come from, he said.

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“We acknowledge that publicity and education can contain problems at source,” Chan said. The LD thus collaborates with the these consulates to include information on avoiding excessive borrowing into orientation briefings organised for newly arrived FDHs.