Expect rain on Independence Day parade, says Observatory

 

Those attending the Philippine Independence Day parade and show tomorrow (Sunday) on Chater road in Central will need to bring umbrellas as rains are expected to be brought by tropical cyclone Wutip as it nears west of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Observatory expects to keep Signal No. 1 for most of Saturday as Wutip is not expected to go nearer than 500 kilometers and is weakening from friction with the mountains of southern Guangdong.

PINDUTIN DITO

But the Observatory said it may raise Signal No. 3 by Sunday, depending on Wutip’s movements.

What is more certain is that clouds that have been accumulated by the storm are expected to dump rains on most of southern Guangdong, with gusty rainshowers expected by Sunday over the Pearl River area, which includes Hong Kong. 

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"The weather will remain unsettled in the following couple of days," the Observatory added.

President's call for unity highlight Filcom’s Independence Day ‘almusal’

 

CG Israel (middle, with glasses) and Consulate officers pose for photos with Filcom leaders

The traditional ‘almusal’ of members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong to mark Philippine Independence Day on Thursday, June 12, was, as before, highlighted by the reading of messages from the country’s top officials.

In his message, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr said independence day must be marked not just by honoring the heroic deeds of the past, but by continuing the work of nation-building.

PINDUTIN DITO

“For the forces that have once enslaved us – ignorance, inequality, injustice, do not vanish,” he said.

“Our task now is to free ourselves not from empires but from erosion within, to liberate our people from hatred, divisiveness and apathy that threatens to undo the union that our forefathers bled, fought and died for.”

President Marcos calls for end to divisiveness on Independence Day

In her own message, Vice President Sara Duterte whose impeachment for alleged graft and threats on the life of the president is at the centre of a political struggle between the two houses of Congress, called for Filipinos to speak out against poverty and corruption.

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“Kabilang sa hamon ng ating kalayaan ang pagmamalabis at katiwalian sa gobyerno, laganap na droga, problema sa edukasyon, kahirapan at gutom,” she said. (Among the challenges to our freedom is abuse of power and corruption in government, widespread drug abuse, educational challenges, poverty and hunger).

“Hindi tayo lumaya para masadlak lang sa pagdurusa ang ating bansa. (We didn’t win our freedom, only to leave our country mired in helplessness).

VP Duterte hits out at corruption, poverty and drug use in her message

Among the other government officials who either recorded their own messages or had their top representative at the Consulate read it out for them were outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator PY Caunan and Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque.

First Lady, Louise Araneta-Marcos, was a surprise addition to the list of official well-wishers featured in the traditional breakfast that kicks off Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Hong Kong.

The all-Filipino gathering hosted by the Consulate was held for the first time this year at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

Deep ties with HK recalled at Philippine Independence Day celebration

 

Consul General Romulo Israel and HK Financial Secretary Paul Chan
toast to an even better ties between the Philippines and Hong Kong

Officials have hailed the deepening relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong at a reception held last night at Island Shangri-la to celebrate the 127^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

Newly installed Philippine Consul General Romulo M. Israel led consulate officers and staff in welcoming about 200 guests from the Filipino community, the diplomatic corps, business associates and Hong Kong government officials headed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan.

Congen Israel, who assumed his post only last month, cited a number of historical events that tied the Philippines to Hong Kong, including how the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, used to live and hold clinic in Central and how the first Philippine flag was sewn in Wanchai.

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More recent events showed those ties have deepened, with the presence of more than 230,000 Filipino migrants in Hong Kong, and the record arrival in the city of nearly 1.2 million tourists from the Philippines, which according to Israel, broke pre-pandemic records.

On top of this, Hong Kong has remained as the Philippines’ largest trading partner, with the value of the goods that passed on between the two territories growing to $1.8 billion.

PH and HK officials pose for photos at the Philippine Independence Day Reception

Chan elaborated on the statistics provided by Chan, saying that tourist arrivals from the Philippines last year was 55% more than in 2023. In the first five months of the current year, over 550,000 Filipinos have visited Hong Kong, representing a 27 percent increase, year-on-year.

He said trade ties between the two administrations could grow even more, given the current uncertainties in policies by the governments in the United States and elsewhere.

“In an era marked by rising protectionism and increasing geopolitical uncertainty, globalisation is facing backlashes. Countries are seeking to diversify their export markets and development drivers. In this context, enhancing intra-regional trade and collaboration will be key to achieving sustainable growth,” he said.

He added that under the “one country, two systems” policy, Hong Kong is regarded as a “super connector and super value-adder” between mainland China and the rest of the world, and the Philippines as one of fastest growing economies in ASEAN could benefit from this.

Chan also said Hong Kong has emerged as a safe harbor for international capital, and offers an ideal platform for Philippine businesses to raise funds for further development through listing on the city’s stock exchange, connecting with angel investors, and collaborating with other enterprises

“In short, the potential for deeper co-operation between our two economies is vast and far-reaching,” said Chan.

The speeches were sealed with a toast by officials from both governments.

Also among the guests were Chinese Deputy Commissioner at the Ministry of Foreign Affairsj Pan Yundong and Hong Kong Secretary for Labour Chris Chan.

The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap and publisher Leo A Deocadiz
receive the 'Made It In China" award from Congen Israel  

The second part of the program featured entertainment numbers from various Filipino artists and the awarding of plaques and certificates to Filipinos in Hong Kong who “Made it in China,” including The SUN editor, lawyer and migrants rights advocate Daisy CL Mandap.

Also receiving their awards from Congen Israel were TV news anchor Melissa Gecolea, lawyer Jaerey Velasco, radio host Michael Vincent Benares, and the Divas cricket team.

All of the awardees also received copies of a book detailing the achievements of the various honorees from across China, Hong Kong and Macau, and each with a personal dedication from Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime Florcruz.

 

 

Pinay DH jailed 14 months for theft

 

Dragon Court (Google Maps photo)

Another Filipina domestic helper has been jailed for theft, getting a 14-month sentence for stealing cash and 11 pieces of jewelry from her employer.

Mary Jane Batog, 48 years old, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court on Thursday (June 12) to committing the theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, in her employer’s home in Dragon Court on Dragon Terrace St., North Point, between March 1 last year to May 12 this year.

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The stolen items were a pair of Dragon-Phoenix bracelet, three gold necklaces, four gold bracelets, two gold rings and cash of $5,000. The total value of the jewelry was not disclosed.

David Cheung Chi-wai, acting Principal Magistrate, cited Batog’s breach of her employer’s trust over 14 months that she was stealing from her, as basis for the sentence which he cut by a third because of her guilty plea.

Cyclone Wutip watched; Signal 1 remains

 

Path of Tropical Cyclone Wutip (HK Observatory photo)

Hong Kong is expected to have occasional winds and rain brought by Tropical Cyclone Wutip, but weather forecasters are holding off on upgrading the Standby Signal No. 1 they raised last night, until Saturday at the earliest.

Wutip has inched towards Hainan island, and is expected to cross over to the mainland, drawing an arc over the next two days that is expected to be nearest, at within 300 kilometers north of Hong Kong, by early Sunday.

“Squally showers associated with Wutip are affecting the coast of Guangdong. Under the combined effect of its broad circulation and the ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, local winds are occasionally strong offshore and on high ground,” the Hong Kong Observatory said.

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“Wutip will move across Hainan Island tomorrow…. With Wutip moving inland and under the influence of an active southerly airstream and upper-air disturbances over the coast of Guangdong, there will still be occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms early to midweek next week,” the Observatory added.

As this developed, the Observatory issued several precautions, among them:

1.       Drains should be cleared of obstructions, and windows and doors should be checked.

2.       People in areas of exposed to high winds or in low-lying areas should take precautions against strong winds and flooding.

3.       People planning to visit Guangdong, Macau, outlying islands or remote parts of Hong Kong should note that changes in weather may affect their trips.

4.       Listen to radio, watch TV or browse the Hong Kong Observatory's website and mobile app for the latest information on the tropical cyclone.

‘Bossing,’ ‘Idol,’ take part in PLDT’s HK Fest 2025

 

Free movies and a star-studded show on Chater Road are part of the 4-day festival

Popular noontime show host Vic Sotto, along with Senator Raffy “Idol” Tulfo will be among the special guests at Hong Kong Festival 2025, a four-day celebration of the 127^th Philippine Independence Day co-organized by the Philippine Consulate General, PLDT Global, MQuest Ventures and Philippine Airlines in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General.

The four-day lineup of cultural, cinematic and community activities kicked off this morning with the traditional “almusal” hosted by the Philippine Consulate, followed by a diplomatic reception at Island Shangri-la in the evening.

The events will culminate on Sunday, June 15, with a daylong show on Chater Road in Central where Sotto and his fellow “Eat Bulaga” hosts Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Alan K are slated to perform.

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Also among the guest performers are actors Sid Lucero, Sue Ramirez, Enchong Dee, Richard Poon, Dylan Menor and Cedric Juan.

Senator Raffy “Idol” Tulfo, who is behind such popular public service programs “Raffy Tulfo I Action” and “Wanted sa Radyo,” will also make an appearance on Chater Road. His team is also available to entertain queries, complaints and/or tip-offs from those who have signed up beforehand through Tinbo.

Tomorrow, June 13, two of three outstanding movies will be shown at Emperor Cinemas, courtesy of PLDT Global.

The first is the yet-to-be released “Song of the Fireflies, while the highly acclaimed “Gomburza” will be shown in the afternoon. A meet-and-greet session with featured guests will follow the screenings.

The movie screenings will continue on Saturday with the movie, “The Kingdom” being featured in the cinematic offerings dubbed as Makabayan Film Fest.

Admission to the movie screenings are free, but attendees are encouraged to log in to the “Tindahan ni Bossing” or “tinbo” app and register to secure their tickets.

Gomburza stars Cedric Juan and Enchong Dee will be around to answer questions from public

On Saturday evening, the Philippine Association of Hong Kong will hold its annual Independence Day ball at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, a former PAHK chairman and longtime benefactor, will be handed an award in recognition of his bayanihan projects and his support for overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong.

PLDT Global president and CEO Albert Villa-Real said during the launch of the project in Manila on June 4 said that the four-day event was conceived by Pangilinan himself.

“This was an inception of our chairman who wanted to bring back the good times with the OFW,” Villa-Real said.

The country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, will fly in all the guests from Manila. Its executive vice president and chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez, said PAL’s team will also be present throughout the four-day event.

This is the first time that PAL is partnering with the MVP group in promoting an event for OFWs in Hong Kong, and Fernandez said they are “very proud” to be part of the project.

 

Pinay jailed 6 months for stealing $70K from employer

 

File photo from HK Monetary Authority

A Filipina was jailed for six months after she admitted in a hearing at West Kowloon court today that she stole $70,000 from her employer.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi handed the sentence down to Angie Mendoza, 36 years old, for theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Acording to the information from Sham Shui Po Police, Mendoza stole the money on an unknown date in February 2024 at her empoyer’s house in Trinity Towers on Lai Chi Kok Road in Sham Shui Po.

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Meanwhile at Eastern Court, one of three Filipinos charged with burglary was returned to jail after Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung rejected his latest bail offer of $2,000 and set another bail review on June 19.  

Magistrate Cheung told Roderick Prado, 49 years old, that the offense he was accused of is serious and the risk is high of him not returning for future hearings. But he advised Prado that he can appeal to the High Court.

His two co-accused, Ryan Malonzo, 38, and Allevan Arceo, 29, are both remanded in jail to await their next hearing on June 19.

The three are accused of entering the Green Kennedy Town Shop in the basement of Tung Lee Mansion on Water St. in Sai Ying Pun last March 20, and stealing an iPad worth $3,999.

Filipino migrants blast delay in VP Duterte’s impeachment trial

 

President Marcos is accused of complicity in VP Duterte's alleged crimes

Amid scattered rain, a group of about 30 migrant workers led by Bayan Hong Kong & Macau staged a picket outside the Philippine consulate in Admiralty to condemn the Senate’s decision to remit to the House of Representatives its impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The protesters also hit out at President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., accusing him of deliberately delaying the passing of the impeachment complaint at the House, which they said was the real reason the same was not passed on to the Senate early enough.

They accused both the president and the senators who voted, 18-5,  to send back the impeachment complaint to the House of going against the will of the people so they could protect their political interests.

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“Walang tunay na kalayaan kung nananatiling walang pananagutan ang mga kurap at abusadong opisyal ng gobyerno,” said Migante chair Lai Besana, alluding to the 127^th anniversary of Philippine independence tomorrow. (There can be no real independence if corrupt and abusive officials of the government are allowed to remain unaccountable).

“Isyu at interes din ng mamamayan ang pagpapanagot sa nilustay na pera ni Sara Duterte dahil malaking pakinabang ito kung inilaan ang pondo para tugunan ang krisis ng ekonomiya, proteksiyon at serbisyong panlipunan para sa mga migrante ang mamamayang Pilipino,” she added. (Holding Sara Duterte accountable for her unexplained spending of public money should also be or interest and concern to the Filipino people because that money could have been used to respond to the economic crisis, or to protecting and providing service to Filipino migrants).

The House of Representatives adopted the impeachment complaint against VP Duterte on Feb. 5, after 215 members signed it, which was more than the 1/3 or 102 votes needed to pass the measure.

Duterte was impeached on charges of graft, corruption, plotting to assassinate President Marcos, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to insurrection and public disorder.

In particular, she is charged with betraying the public trust by failing to account for confidential funds totaling Php612.5 million.

Duterte is charged over her alleged failure to account for Php612.5 million in confidential funds

Another speaker, Shiela Tebia of Gabriela Hong Kong, lamented that instead of being put on trial, Duterte is now in Malaysia, vacationing with her family.

“Kaya walang napaparusahan, pinapayagan ng administrasyong Marcos, Jr. ang kurapsyon sa gobyerno. Kung hindi tayo kayang panindigan ng sarili nating gobyerno, tayo mismo ang kikilos para panagutin si Sara sa kanyang mga kasalanan sa taumbayan lalo na sa paglustay sa pondo ng bayan,” said Tebia. (The government of Marcos, Jr allows corruption, that’s why nobody is held accountable. If our own government cannot stand for us, we will act on our own to make Sara account for all her sins to people, especially her plunder of public funds.”

Baneng Mendez, chair of Bayan HK and Macau, said for her part that remanding the impeachment complaint to the House was worse than if the Senate rejected it.

The protesters called for the impeachment trial to begin immediately, and for VP Duterte to be convicted.

They ended their protest by handing over a copy of their petition to Vice Consul Gino Soriano, who represented the Philippine Consulate.

Vice Consul Soriano receives a copy of the group's petition

Meanwhile, House prosecutors rejected the Senate’s order that they certify that the impeachment complaint did not violate the constitution by hearing three impeachment complaints before the one that ultimately went to a vote.

The constitution bars subjecting anyone to multiple impeachment proceedings within the same year.

Rep. Gerville Luistro maintained that the House cannot withdraw the impeachment case because this is not allowed by the Constitution.

Other prosecutors said it was impossible to fulfill the Senate order as they could not speak for the new House members who are due to take their oath on Jun 30

The five senators who voted against the Senate order also said that once the House filed an impeachment complaint with them, their only duty under the constitution was to conduct a trial.

 

Caunan says Ignacio will be charged

 

Administrator Caunan addresses the crowd on Chater Road

Gone but not forgotten.

This about sums up the fate of Arnell Ignacio, the former administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration who was sacked from his post last month by no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., over an allegedly anomalous Php1.4 billion land deal.

It was ironic that Ignacio was no longer around to see the top-level delegation from the Philippines fly to Hong Kong last weekend to formally inaugurate one of his major projects, the HK$8 million-a-year DMW-OWWA OFW Global Centre, for which he signed the lease last year.

The controversy surrounding his removal must have been uppermost in many people’s minds at the gathering, but it was not brought up as the officials, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his wife, Rep. Yedda, as well as Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, did not take questions after their respective speeches.

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But on the sidelines, new OWWA administrator and lawyer PY Caunan did not shirk when asked for an update on the widely-talked about case.

“He will be charged,” Caunan said categorically, but did not give any time frame.

She also admitted knowing about the campaign to get Ignacio reinstated by Global Alliance, an OFW group tapped by OWWA Hong Kong to be its partner in events management, but said she understood how they felt, having developed a close bond with her predecessor.

“But it they were hurt, I was hurt even more,” said Caunan, who said Ignacio was her close friend, having worked closely with him in her former post as undersecretary at the Department of Migrant Workers.

Asked how Ignacio managed to get away with the irregular purchase of the land that was supposed to be the site of halfway-houses for OFWs without anyone catching up on it early enough, Caunan said, “He signed the cheque.”

As OWWA administrator, Ignacio was said to be the authorized signatory of cheques issued in the name of the agency. However, he should have done so only after obtaining permission from the OWWA Board of Trustees headed by Secretary Cacdac.

Ignacio signed the lease for the OFW Global Centre in HK, the first of its kind in the world

It is the government’s case that Ignacio not only bypassed the Board in buying the land, he also engaged in several questionable deals related to the purchase.

One was signing a side contract that allowed the seller to be refunded the Php36 million that he paid as tax for the transaction, another was allowing the seller to continue collecting rent from two commercial establishments on the site, months after the government had acquired ownership.

In several interviews, Cacdac also disclosed that a building housing 53 condominium units was razed at Ignacio’s bidding, again without notice to, or consent by, the Board.

In a meeting with the media after his sacking, Ignacio denied any wrongdoing, and insisted he had reported the purchase of the land to the Board. He also said he only had the OFWs’ best interest in mind when he decided to buy the land.

Ignacio was appointed OWWA administrator by President Marcos in September 2022. He previously served as deputy administrator during the term of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte but resigned after just over a year for reasons he did not disclose.

DH jailed 14 months for stealing 100 jewelry items

 

Defendant admitted stealing at least 100 pieces of jewelry (Photo for illustration only)

A Filipina domestic worker who admitted stealing around 100 pieces of jewelry valued at no less than $684,000 from her elderly employers’ daughter, was jailed for a total of 14 months on two charges of theft.

Magistrate Kestrel Lam told Sherelle Lyn V. Dajay, 40 years old, that her crimes and breach of her employers’ trust over seven months from March 17, 2024 to Oct. 12, 2024, are serious and must be weighed against the only mitigating factors -- that she pleaded guilty for which she was entitled to a one-third discount on her sentence, and her previous clear record.

Dajay pleaded guilty in a hearing last May 10 to two counts of theft: $684,000 worth of jewelry (made up of $480,700 for the first lot and $203,650 for the other) and a watch worth $4,300.

Magistrate Lam handed her a penalty of 15 months for the first charge, considering the value of the stolen properties, plus three months for breach of trust. With the one-third discount, the sentence was reduced to 12 months.

The penalty for the second charge was four months, two of which will run at the same time as the first, thus bringing the total sentence to 14 months.

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In all, the thefts had resulted in a loss of $148,150 in the form of items that could no longer be recovered by the victim, plus $55,000 lost by the two pawnshops to which Dajay brought the jewelry for cash, according to the prosecutor.

Her duty lawyer told the court she was unable to compensate for the losses.

In mitigation, the lawyer said she was tempted to steal the jewelry because she needed additional cash to pay for the college tuition of her son, 22 years old, and daughter, 23, as her husband was not earning enough.

Dajay was arrested on Oct 24 last year after the victim, Christine Sin, returned to the home of her parents on Black’s Link in Happy Valley for the first time after it had undergone renovation starting in February of the same year.

Dajay was said to have worked as caregiver for the couple for four years before this.

Sin realized then that a box of jewelry she had left inside an unlocked cabinet in her parents’ house had gone missing.

When she confronted Dajay, the latter admitted to the theft, and presented some pawnshop receipts for some of the missing items.

Sin called the police.

When police arrived at the house, a search was conducted, and a pink Link’s watch valued at $4,300 was found inside her bag, which Sin identified as her property. Dajay readily admitted guilt before the police, and said “sorry.”

Further investigation revealed a huge cache of jewelry that Dajay had stolen between March 17 and October 12 last year, based on receipts issued by two pawnshops.

The items which numbered around 100 pieces included a set of rings and earrings in platinum and diamonds, a platinum necklace, several number of jewelry pieces in gold and diamond, and at least five expensive watches.

The second theft charge pertained to the pink watch found inside her bag, which was said to have been stolen sometime in September last year.

Lying to get a visa gets Pinay 12 months in jail

 

Visa application interview (Immigration Department photo)

Lying to Immigration officers and misleading them into granting her a visa as domestic helper has resulted in a Filipina beng jailed for a combined 12 months after she pleaded guilty today at Shatin Court to three counts of conspiracy to defraud.

Mel Valerie Cabresante, 42 years old, was convicted of three counts of violating thre Common Law and was punished under section 159C of the Crimes Ordinance by Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong.

She got a seven-month jail sentence for the first case, in which she admitted to conspiring with agent Homer Herrera and “other persons unknown”, in “dishonestly and falsely representing” to Immigration officers that she would work for a certain Gurung Kumari Gayan as a domestic helper.

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The misrepresentation, which took place between October and Nov, 11, 2021, induced Immigration officers to grant her permission to remain in Hong Kong “under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted,” according to the complaint filed by the Immigration Department.

Cabresante was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for the second charge in which she again conspired with Herrrera to misrepresent that she would be working as a domestic helper for a certain Mohammad Butt when she applied for a visa between November 2021 and Jan. 13, 2022.

The misrepresentation again induced the immigrtion officers “to act  contrary to their public duty” in granting her a working visa.

In the third case for which she was jailed for nine months, which also involved Herrera and unknown persons, she reiterated to Immigration oficers the lie that she would be employed by Butt in the visa application which she pursued between November 2021 and April 20, 2022.

In his ruling, Magistrate Cheang ordered that the first six months of the first two sentences run at the same time, leaving one and two months, respectively, to be added to the nine-month penalty for the third case.

Phl officials pledge more caring government to OFWs during visit to HK

 

Visiting officials tell OFWs the new Centre is their second 'home'

Philippine government officials led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez promised a “Bagong Pilipinas” that is more responsive and protective of overseas Filipino workers, when they came to Hong Kong to formally launch the OFW Global Centre in Admiralty yesterday, June 8.

Rep. Romualdez (1^st district, Leyte) came with a big delegation from the Department of Migrant Workers led by Secretary Hans Cacdac and Administrator PY Caunan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and a number of delegation from the House of Representatives, including his wife, Yedda and son, Andrew, both of the Tingog Partylist.

“We at the House of Representatives remain fully committed (to) championing legislation that protects, empowers and honors OFWs. You deserve nothing less, and we will deliver more because when we talk of building a Bagong Pilipinas, we are not building it for you, we are building it with you,” Speaker Romualdez said.

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The visit, which was palpably an effort to win over OFWs in Hong Kong to the government’s side,   coincided with the week-long celebration of the Philippines’ Migrant Workers’ Day.

It came just about a month after Filipinos in HK, made up mostly of OFWs, voted straight for all ten candidates endorsed by the detained former leader, Rodrigo R. Duterte in the first online voting for overseas Filipinos, leaving the two remaining slots to one independent, and one administration bet.

Surprisingly, however, the 200 or so Filipino community leaders who witnessed the grand launch of the OFW Center which began operating in November last year, enthusiastically applauded the guests, particularly Secretary Cacdac and Administrator Caunan.

Speaker Romualdez also said that the “Serbisyo Caravan” which was held on Chater Road on the same day and featured various government departments offering free services to OFWs, was part of the government’s way of reaching out to them.

“We are bringing the whole government to you, hindi na kayo kailangang umuwi para mag-asikaso ng inyong mga pangangailangan (you do not have to go home to seek out government services), said the Speaker.

He added that the moves are in response to a directive from his cousin, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., “to make the government accessible to all Filipinos abroad.”

Rep. Yedda, Congen Israel, Secretary Cacdac, Speaker Romualdez and Administrator Caunan
cut the ceremonial ribbon to signal the official opening of the OFW Global Centre

Secretary Cacdac gave the same narrative, saying that the President would always ask about the welfare not just of OFWs, but also their families, in nearly all their communication.

“Kumusta na ang ating mga OFW? Tinutulungan ba natin sila?,” (How are our OFWs, are we helping them?) was said to be an oft-repeated question from President Marcos.

He also said that OFWs should not feel they have an “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to the government for setting up the OFW Global Centre, because it is in fact their way of showing gratitude to OFWs for all their hard work and sacrifice, and contribution to the country’s economy.

Caunan, who Speaker Romualdez described as being very close to President Marcos and First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos, echoed the sentiment, saying the OFW Centre was proof  that “mahal na mahal kayo ng gobyerno. (the government loves you very, very much).

She also hailed the “Serbisyo” fair, the first to be held overseas by the various government agencies, was an indication that “ang buong gobyerno ay nagmamahal sa ating mga OFW.” (the entire government loves our OFWs).”

She, along with Cacdac, promised to carry out systemic innovation and more medical, financial and legal assistance to OFWs to help ease their concerns while at work.

Cacdac mingles with OFWs in Chater

Rep. Yedda who is credited with having pushed for funding for the OFW Center, said the new “second home of OFWs” was not a celebration of accomplishment but a celebration of the fulfillment of a promise by “a dear president.”

Coming from the Visayan region where more than 200,000 of all OFWs are said to have come from, she said migrant workers have a special place in her heart. As a mother and a civil servant, she said she also fully recognized the migrant workers’ self-sacrifice and contribution to the country.

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. thanked all the government officials for helping build a second home for Filipinos in Hong Kong, but reminded everyone of the song that says “(but) a house is not a home when there’s no one there to hold you tight…no one there you can kiss good night.”

Eventually, Filipinos like the 226,000 who are now in Hong Kong would want to return to the Philippines, he said, but in the meantime, the OFW Centre would be of great help in easing their longing for home.

Following the ceremony, DMW officials led by Cacdac and Caunan moved to Chater Road and amid the sweltering heat, mingled with thousands of OFWs and repeated their message of improved services and more financial help for those in distress.