Elderly Pinoy in US$10 billion bank fraud remains in jail

 

The elderly Filipino tourist did not apply for bail at Eastern court

A Filipino tourist arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly attempting to encash a US$10 billion bank document was again returned to jail after appearing at Eastern Court yesterday, Feb. 27.

Ramon R. Revillosa, Jr., 68, did not apply for bail so Principal Magistrate Don So ordered him remanded in jail until the next hearing of his case on Mar. 27. But he was told he could apply for bail at the High Court.

Reports from the Philippines say the government had asked Hong Kong authorities to conduct a full examination of Revillosa as he was showing signs of dementia when he made “grandiose claims of wealth.”

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Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the request was relayed by the Consulate to relevant authorities in Hong Kong.

However, Consulate sources said Revillosa has only been tested for diabetes so far, although they are keeping an eye on his health.

In the interview, De Vega also said that the 38-year-old Filipino woman arrested with Revillosa was allowed to post bail and return to the Philippines. But the woman who claimed to be a lawyer, was told to return to Hong Kong on Mar 12.

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The two were arrested on Feb 10 after they allegedly presented three documents with a face value of US$10 billion to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation branch at China Building in Central to allegedly induce a staff member to believe they were genuine.

Arrested with them were a Malaysian man, a Taiwanese man and a woman who used a Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit to enter Hong Kong.

They were all reportedly detained after bank staff who examined the documents became suspicious and called the police. But it is not clear whether charges were also filed against the three, or if they were released pending further police inquiries.

Using a false instrument is punishable with up to 14 years’ imprisonment under Sec 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.

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Revillosa is named as the lone defendant in a case filed with Eastern court.

He is alleged to have presented a bank capability letter, guarantee letter and a certificate of balance, all purporting to have been issued by HSBC, which he “knew, or believed to be, false.”

He presented these so bank staff Tang Wing-sheung would “accept them as genuine, and by reason of so accepting them to do or not do some act to his own, or any other’s prejudice.”

Revillosa’s previous application for bail was rejected by Magistrate Ho, who also denied his plea to access his belongings so he could contact his relatives in the Philippines for bail money.

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Bayan Muna marks People Power anniversary with HK protest

 

The protest was held outside the Consulate building in Admiralty

Domestic workers belonging to the Bayan Muna party-list in Hong Kong staged a protest outside the Philippine Consulate offices in Admiralty on Feb. 25 to mark to the 39^th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution that ousted the late president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

The protesters held up posters saying that the son of the deposed leader and incumbent president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., should be held to account for his father’s corruption which they said continues to cripple the country’s economy.

“Kahit pa pilit binubura ni Pangulong BongBong Marcos sa kalendaryo ang EDSA ay hindi nagpatinag ang mamamayan sa loob at labas ng bansa para ipakita ang lakas at labanan ang masama, marumi, makadayuhan, marahas at  korap  na gobyernong Marcos Jr,” said Lai Besana, Bayan Muna spokesperson.

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(Even if President Bongbong Marcos tries hard to blot out the EDSA anniversary from the calendar, Filipinos inside and outside the country remainresolute in fighting against the evil, dirty pro-foreign, forceful and corrupt government of Marcos, Jr.)

The protesters said the EDSA revolution that booted the Marcos family from power in 1986 was not a simple struggle between political rivals but was the result of the people’s uprising against a dictator.

They said Marcos Jr’s failure to address the country’s problems are what drives millions of Filipinos to leave the country so they can provide for their families.

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After three years as president, Besana said Marcos Jr. has failed to lift Filipinos from poverty.

Secretary General Baneng Mendez hit out at what she called the crisis of poverty, unemployment and corruption that continues under the Marcos administration.

She cited as an example the apparent hesitancy of the Philippine Senate to immediately convene a hearing of the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives.

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The protesters also expressed fear that massive cheating could happen with the first internet voting for overseas Filipinos that will be held from Apr 13 to May 12..

With just over a month to go before the landmark voting process, most overseas electors are still in the dark as to how they could vote, said Besana.

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Tropa wins OFDAHK's basketball tournament

 

A tense shot from the final round which Tropa won over Arma, 95-77

Team Tropa hammered rival Arma, 95-77, to win the Overseas Filipino Drivers and Aspirants Hong Kong (OFDAHK) basketball tournament held on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Li Shing Street playground in Sheung Wan.

Tropa led the game from start to finish, scoring 54 as against Arma’s 24 in the first half.

Tropa got to the final round  of the one-day league by beating Wakalogs, 83-72 while Arma beat FBA Bros, 79-61.

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The losing teams battled for third place, resulting in FBA Bros winning over Wakalogs, 96-81.

All the winners received trophies, with 12 medals being awarded to each member of the top team, as well as those named to the Mythical Five.

Tropa's highest pointer Christian Ombao received the throphy for the most valuable player.

He joined teammate Mikho Castillo, Arma's Francis Soriano, FBA's Arman Dela Cruz and Wakalogs' Richard Tamundong in completing the Mythical Five. 

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"Everybody's happy", said OFDAHK's founder Chyrill F. Nadela. "Despite the big number of players in each team, everyone  had their chance in the court", she added.

Arma’s said Jomar Javillionar agreed, saying they all had fun and had their fair share of each game without being exhausted.

OFDAHK president Elmer C. Orilla said his group uses sport activities as part of their advocacy to unite and encourage fellow migrants to upgrade their skills. Apart from men’s basketball, they also organize volleyball tournaments for women.

As its name implies, OFDAHK only accepts Filipinos as members, whether they are already licensed drivers in Hong Kong or are just aspiring to be one. – contributed by Ramon Dizon, Jr.

(We welcome written contributions from Filipino community organizations in Hong Kong about their activities. Please submit with photos and indicate your full name and telephone number by sending an email to the editor at daisymandap@yahoo.com)

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Airport tax to rise, $2 concession fare for elderly to be curbed under new Budget

 

Paul Chan unveils the Budget at the Legislative Council

Plane fares from Hong Kong are set to rise by $80 starting in April this year, as part of the belt-tightening measures announced by Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan today, Jan. 26.

The air passenger departure tax will go up from $120 to $200 from the third quarter of the year, an increase that Chan said would have “minimal” effect on passengers.

However, a whopping $1.6 billion is expected to be generated from this measure.

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Chan also said he is eyeing a $200 levy for each car that departs land borders, which could add $1 billion to the government coffers each year.

Increasing annual licence fees for electric vehicles, parking meter charges, as well as fixed penalty tickets for traffic violators are also, in the offing.

Another cost-cutting measure would impact elderly residents, who comprise 23% of the city’s population. From April, the flat fare of $2 paid by those aged 65 and above when traveling on most public transportation will apply only if it their ticket price is $10 or below. If higher, they will only get an 80% discount on the fare.

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There will also be a cap of 240 rides per month (or roughly, about 8 per day) for their discounted fare.

In a rare move, the government also announced no salary increase for all civil servants for the next fiscal year.

In addition, about 10,000 people on government payroll will be let go to further trim expenditures.

But there were also surprise sweeteners in the budget, like the 100% reduction in salaries tax as well as profits tax. However, the caps set for these benefits are whittled down by half, or $1,500 instead of the previous $3,000.

Chan said these concessions will reduce government revenue by $3.1 billion, but will benefit 2.1 million taxpayers and 165,000 businesses.

Social security payouts will remain unchanged from last year, with an additional half-month payment of regular allowances for those receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age and Disability Allowance, and Working Family Allowance.

There was also good news for those who plan to buy property. The stamp duty of $100 will be collected only if the maximum value of the property exceeds $4 million, instead of the $3 million set last year.

Overall, this year’s concessions amount to $8.3 billion in total, down from last years $11.5 billion.

At a public forum held after his Budget speech, Chan asked for public understanding amid criticism that the middle class would be affected the most by the revenue cuts.

He said the government needed to effect measures to boost revenue and retain Hong Kong’s competitiveness, while doing everything possible to lessen the impact of the new measures on the public.

For the full Budget speech and related stories, please click this link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202502/26.htm

 

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Pinay testifies jewelry she is accused of stealing is hers

 

Place where alleged theft happened (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper who was terminated after her employer accused her of stealing a gold ring and a gold necklace and had her arrested, testified in her theft case at Eastern Court that the jewelry in question were hers.

Lilibeth Fabros, 51 years old, was testifying Wednesday (Feb. 26) in a case filed against her by police, accusing her of stealing a gold ring and a gold necklace from her employer Linda Chan at her flat in Dragon Garden, Tai Hang, on Nov. 15, 2021.

Fabros said the confrontation began in the afternoon of Aug. 9, 2013, when Chan asked if she saw a diamond ring. “I said I did not,” she said. “I felt upset because she told me that if she proves I took it, she will report me to police and Immigration.”

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Two more confrontations followed.

A ring and a necklace were recovered by police from a pawnshop in North Point after Fabros confessed, in a subsequent confrontation that the employer secretly recorded on her phone, that she had pawned them.

However, the recovered items did not include the missing diamond ring Chan was looking for.

Fabros said in court that she made the supposed confession about pawning jewelry and offered to pay for her employer’s losses through monthly deductions from her salary, because she was in a panic and fearful of losing her job. 

She also said she found out about the recording only when her duty lawyer informed her about it.

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As a result of her testimony, Fabros’ lawyer asserted that the ring and necklace she admitted she pawned are not related to the case.

He also urged Magistrate Frances Leung to be very careful in considering the sound recording, which was earlier played in court, as part of the evidence as it would be unfair to Fabros. “It cannot be a confession,” he asserted.

Chan testified earlier, claiming ownership of both items, although they were not in the list of items she had reported to the police as missing.

She testified that she discovered that some of her jewelry were missing, including three diamond rings and a few gold necklaces.

 “I looked in drawers and handbags and did not find the items,” she said.  

That was when she confronted Fabros. “I asked her to help me find them,” she said. “I asked her, ‘have you taken them?’ She did not answer.“

Chan also denied threatening Fabros, who confirmed it when it was her turn to be questioned by the prosecutor.

Magistrate Leung adjourned the case to March 5. She freed Fabros on $5,000 bail.

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Pinay gets 1 day jail for every $100 stolen

The case was heard at Shatin Court

A Filipina domestic helper has been sentenced to one day for every $100 that she stole from her employer.

A 30-day prison term was meted today on Roxcel Asildeque, 30 years old, after she pleaded guilty at Shatin Court to stealing $3,000 from her employer at their home in Hung Lam Court in Shatin, New Territories last Feb. 8.

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But because she pleaded guilty to the violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, she received a one-third discount from Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong, resulting in a 20-day jail term.

A hearing scheduled for March 25 was also cancelled.

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More FDHs to get free Disney tickets, other freebies

 

Some of the lucky invitees by the Mission for Migrant Workers at HK Disney on Jan 26

Another round of free entrance, food and transportation to and from Hong Kong Disneyland for foreign domestic helpers is forthcoming.

This is according to Disneyland managing director Michael Moriarty who told the South China Morning Post that it is in talks with the Li Ka Shing Foundation to extend the treat given to a select group of FDHs for the past two years.

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Moriarty made the announcement as HK Disneyland reported an all-time high of $838 million in net profit last year, and a record number of 7.7 million visitors.

This is the first time that the theme park has returned a profit in the past decade.

He said the extended treat is due to the positive response they received following two rounds of sponsored trips on Jan. 19 and 26 this year. 

More FDHs will get the treat this year, as HK Disney celebrates its 20th year

A total of 4,200 workers benefited from the goodwill this year, up by 5% from 2024. As before, they were invited through non-government organizations such as the Mission for Migrant Workers, PathFinders, Help for Domestic Workers, Splash and Enrich.

All the workers each received a one-day ticket which normally costs $669, a transport allowance of HK$80 (US$10) on their Octopus cards and meals valued at HK$365.

The initiative cost the foundation nearly $2 million, excluding the price of the tickets, which it shared with Disneyland.

The foundations said the treat is meant to to “create unforgettable happy memories for those domestic workers who are working hard in Hong Kong and far away from home”.

Disneyland Hong Kong has said it will be celebrating its 20^th year starting in June this year.

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DMW guard arrested for alleged attempt to scam OFWs

 

The security guard was arrested on the spot

A security guard was arrested earlier today right inside the Department of Migrant Workers office building in Mandaluyong City after two would-be overseas Filipino workers complained that the suspect had tried to fleece P35,000 from each of them.

Wenceslao O. Villagracia was arrested in an entrapment operation led by the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau and Mandaluyong City police inside the OWWA PDOS (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar) room on the second floor of the DMW building.

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Two female complainants from Calaca, Batangas who are both direct hire applicants for domestic work in Bahrain reported that Villagracia had demanded that they each pay Php35,000 to him so the release of their OWWA PDOS could be expedited.\

Villagracia faces charges of  estafa and “fixing” under sec 21 (h) of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (RA 11032).

Some scammers pretend to be DMW employees

Earlier, the DMW also warned the public against transacting with people who claim to work for the Department, usually through email or SMS, if the message did not come from the official DMW account.

Anyone who receives such suspicious messages or solicitation should verify the source, or report ito directly to airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or on the official Facebook pag, DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program.

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HK OFW loses husband in fire

 

What's left of the Ledesma house in Cavite

Tragedy struck twice recently for Margie Ledesma, an overseas Filipino worker in Hong Kong.

A fire that started in their home in General Trias, Cavite on Feb. 12, not only left her and her four children with only the clothes on their back, but also claimed the life of the 55-year-old father of the family, Nestor.

Margie said her husband had a stroke two years ago, so had difficulty moving around. “Nakakatayo naman at nakakapaligo, pero mabagal na kumilos.” (He could stand and bathe himself, but could only move slowly).

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Thus, when the fire struck and consumed their home, Nestor mercifully managed to keep himself from being burnt, but did not move fast enough to escape the burning house. He died of smoke inhalation.

It was also unfortunate that no one among their four children was at home with their father that time, said Margie. The four, aged 26, 24, 19 and 15, were all out working, studying or hanging out with friends on that fateful night that their father had no one to help him escape.

“Kakaiba yung araw na iyon, kasi madalas naman may naiiwan sa kanila sa bahay,” said Margie. (That was unusual because often, there would be someone among them in the house with their father).

Nestor was only 55 when he died

Because of the tragedy, the house that Margie helped build from working for the past 10 years in Hong Kong was reduced to ashes. Her children ended up staying the night at the barangay hall while grieving over the loss of their father.

As for Margie, she decided to wait awhile before going home to bury her husband. Their relatives in Capiz had sent word that they wanted to be there for the wake, and Margie also had to make sure she did not stay too long in the Philippines as she needed to keep her job now, more than ever.

Apart from grieving for her husband, Margie now has to face the prospect of taking care of substantial funeral expenses, on top of having to rebuild the family home they have lost.

Luckily, a number of her friends in Hong Kong, including broadcaster Jun Paragas, have stepped forward to help, and started a fundraising drive for her family.

Anyone who wishes to do likewise and help alleviate the suffering of Margie and her brood can send money through her Alipay account, 95318776. 

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Filipino mother arrested over death of newborn son

 

The dead baby was found in a flat at this housing estate

A Filipino woman who reportedly works at Hong Kong Disneyland was arrested earlier today, Feb. 24, after the dead body of her two-day old male infant was discovered in their Sham Tseng flat.

Various media reports said the 30-year-old mother was arrested on charges of child neglect after the baby’s body was discovered by his grandmother at around 4:35 pm today in their flat in Lido Garden on Castle Peak Road.

The grandmother had called the police, saying the baby’s body had already turned blue. Paramedics dispatched to the flat confirmed the baby had died.

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One report said the mother was unaware that she was pregnant until she experienced sudden abdominal pain while at work in Disneyland on Jan. 22. She gave birth in a public toilet at the theme park.

It was not clear from the reports if the baby was alive at the time.

Following the delivery the woman placed the newborn infant inside a bag and went home, but did not reportedly tell her husband or 11-year-old son who were in at the time.

At around 1pm today the mother sent a WhatsApp message to her mother-in-law, apologizing for an undisclosed reason. Later this afternoon the older woman checked her grandson’s bedroom and found the dead baby on the bed.

Police arrested the mother at the flat on suspicion of child neglect. Further investigation by the Tsuen Wan Police’s major crime unit is underway.

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Warmer mornings seen this week

 

Victoria Harbor this afternoon (HKO photo) 

The maritime airstream blowing from the east is expected to each Hong Kong overrnight and wam its mornings starting tomorrow, with laden clouds bringing occasional rains duing the rest of the week, accoding to forecasts fom the Hong Kong Observatory.

The rise in temperature is expected to be felt starting tomorrow, with the minimum rising from today’s 12 degrees Celisus to 15 degrees.

“… under the influence of a humid maritime airstream, temperatures will rise progressively over the coast of Guangdong in the latter part of this week and early next week. There may be damp days over the weekend,” the Obsevatoy said.

The warming up is expected to continue, with the daily minimum temperature gradually rising to 16 degrees on Wednesday, 17 degrees on Thursday, 18 degrees on Friday, 19 degrees on Saturday and 20 degrees on Sunday and next Monday.

The trend is expected to reverse on Tuesday, as northeast monsoon winds take over and leave Hong Kongers shivering from the cold again.

Filipino art across borders showcased in Galleria Camaya's new exhibit

 

More than 60 works by notable Filipino artists from across the globe will be featured in Galleria Camaya’s latest exhibition which opens on Wednesday, Feb 26 at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre on Kennedy Road, and runs until Monday, Mar. 3.

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The exhibit titled  “Unity in Diversity: Filipino Artists Across Borders” will showcase works by established and emerging Filipino artists based in the Philippines, Hong Kong, New York and London, focusing on such themes as cultural identity, fusion and migration.

Among the works on display are those by renowned Filipino artists like Ferdie Cacnio, Bullet Dematera, Ross Capili and Mary Rose Gisbert, and many others.

This painting by Bullet Dematera is among the artworks carefully selected for the exhibit

The exhibition coincides with Philippine National Arts Month, which is held every February, and supports the objectives of promoting cross-cultural exchange and dialogue through the universal language of art.

The featured works delve into the delicate balance of preserving cultural heritage while navigating the complexities of a globalized world.

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 “This exhibition celebrates the diversity within Filipino identity while illuminating the unifying threads that connect Filipino artists across borders,” said Galleria Camaya’s owner and philanthropist, Gail Hills.

“We invite submissions that challenge stereotypes, explore cultural complexity, and inspire audiences to reimagine the global Filipino experience.”

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Galleria Camaya is an art gallery founded in 2016, and focuses on showcasing Philippine art and artists through various exhibitions and events held in key cities around the world, including New York, Vienna and Hong Kong.

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