EOC thanks community partners in advancing race equality in HK

By The SUN

Secretary Erick Tsang joins EOC officers led by Chairperson Linda Lam at the event

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) hosted an appreciation ceremony on Saturday, Apr 12, for about 100 community stakeholders who have helped advance racial equality in Hong Kong.

The event held at Eaton Hotel in Jordan commemorated both the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the 15th anniversary of the implementation of the Race Discrimination Ordinance (RDO).

As a token of its appreciation, the EOC presented plaques to the guests from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, representing 80 non-government organizations serving various ethnic groups and migrant domestic workers.

The community leaders honored at the gathering and their hosts (EOC photo)

Among them were a number of Filipino community leaders, including Cynthia Tellez of the Migrant Workers, Lito Castillo of the Hong Kong Musicians Union and Daisy CL Mandap of The SUN.

“Today we are all gathered here, in this room, to acknowledge those individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly over the years for people from Hong Kong’s less represented communities by empowering them, educating them and giving them visibility,” said EOC chairperson Linda Lam.

“The EOC’s work would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of frontline organizations and community leaders.”

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Lam officiated the event’s opening ceremony along with Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Erick Tsang, who spoke of the government’s own effort to ensure people from various ethnic backgrounds enjoy equal opportunities, including within the civil service.

“First and foremost, the government leads by example. As the largest employer in Hong Kong, the civil service has strived to enhance employment opportunities for ethnic minorities; over fifty civil service grades have reviewed and adjusted their Chinese-language proficiency requirements to give more opportunities to non-ethnic Chinese applicants to join the civil service,” he said.

A big 'thank you' flashes after VIP guests pressed the screen

“The government also strives to promote equal opportunities in the private sectors and the community. All these underline the government’s commitment to building an equal, inclusive, and harmonious society."

Both officials lauded the implementation of the RDO 15 years ago, with Lam saying it “significantly transformed the racial equality landscape in Hong Kong” and gave it the distinction of being one of a few places in Asia with an anti-discrimination legislation.

She added, “The anti-discrimination protections have positioned Hong Kong well in international exchange and collaboration and in the integration into the broader national development.”

The event closed with a networking among guests.

HK steps up measures to tackle scams, money laundering

 

File shot by a Filipina who bragged on Facebook about involvement in money laundering

Hong Kong authorities say they are taking new steps to counter scam and money laundering activities which have risen considerably over the past year.

The new measures will include police sharing with banks the account and phone numbers, as well as e-mails associated with suspicious bank accounts on its Scameter database.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, on the other hand, will allow banks to flag suspicious accounts, and when money gets into them, to either contact clients reminding them of risks, conduct further examination, or ask police for help.

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Subject to the passage of the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025 which has just passed a second reading at the Legislative Council, local retail banks are also set to step up data sharing of suspicious accounts and transactions by the end of the year.

The new measures were announced in the wake of a 12 percent rise in the number of scam cases last year compared to 2023. Nearly 45,000 such cases were reported, in which more than $9.1 billion was lost.

Police statistics also showed about 8,600 people were arrested last year on suspicion of lending their bank accounts for money laundering – a big number of them foreign domestic helpers – for a 44 percent jump compared to last year.

HKMA executive director Raymond Chan said at a press briefing today that the bank will continue to take steps to protect the privacy of customers by limiting the data they share.

"Banks will only be sharing client information in specific situations as the information can only be used for detecting and preventing banned activities such as scams and money laundering," he said.

Further, the data sharing will only take place on a designated and confidential platform set up by the police.

Chan said the HKMA and the Police will issue guidelines to banks on the data sharing system, which they will also monitor rigorously.

A paper submitted to Legco last month said an information gap has allowed criminals to rapidly move and conceal illicit funds through the banking system.

For example, even after a bank has detected and taken action on an illicit transaction in an account, the criminals would often be able to continue their illegal activities by using mule accounts opened in another bank.

The lack of data sharing between the banks under the present mechanism has resulted in many such transactions getting through before the police are alerted to them.

Also at the press conference, police chief superintendent Kelly Cheng, said 251 people have been arrested in connection with more than 500 scam cases, as a result of joint operation with mainland authorities over several months last year.

The suspects who were mostly from the mainland were suspected of coming to Hong Kong to open stooge bank accounts before going back across the border.

 

Filipina to be tried on 12 charges of stealing jewelry from employer

The jewelry thefts were allegedly committed in this estate

A Filipina domestic helper who denied stealing 28 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry from her former employer is set to stand trial at Eastern Court on Apr 2-3.

Maribel P. Bringas, 42 years old, pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of theft when she appeared before Magistrate Kestrel Lam on Mar. 11. She was returned to jail pending her trial.

She is accused of stealing various pieces of jewelry from her employer Wu Pui Yan in her flat at East Garden, Tung Shan Terrace in Happy Valley, between May 9 and July 12 last year, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

She was initially charged with stealing one gold pendant, one gold bracelet and one gold necklace estimated to be worth round $200,000 on May 14, when she first appeared in court.

However, 11 more charges of theft have since been laid against her.

In the second charge, she is accused of stealing one jade pendant from Wu on May 9, 2024.

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On May 20 of the same year, she again allegedly stole a diamond bracelet, and three days later, again took two gold pendants and two gold bracelets.

On May 31, she is accused of stealing one diamond ring and one gold ring. A sixth charge accused her of taking four pieces of jewelry on May 18: two gold pendants, one gold bracelet and one gold ring.

For the seventh charge, she is accused of stealing one gold bracelet and one pendant on Jun 27, 2024.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The eighth charge is over a gold ring and a gold bracelet that she allegedly took on May 20; while the ninth charge alleges she stole another gold pendant on Jun 3.

The 10^th charge is over two gold bracelets and one gold pendant she allegedly stole on Jun 24; the 11^th s over two gold bracelets and one gold necklace she took on July 12, and the last is over two gold rings she is alleged to have stolen on Jun 7.

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Bringas who has been in jail since her arrest on Jan 17 this year, denied all the charges.

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4 months’ jail for necklace theft

 

Necklace with carnelian pendant (photo from Van Cleef & Arpels website)

A domestic helper was jailed today for four months after pleading guilty at Eastern Court to stealing an 18-karat gold necklace from her employer.

Principal Magistrate Don So meted the sentence on Mary Grace Guillermo, 46 years old, for violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

The complaint filed by Aberdeen Police alleged that the theft of the Van Cleef & Arpels-branded necklace with carnelian pendant worth $21,000 happened between Aug.1 and Dec. 18, 2024 at the employer’s house in Shouson Hill.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

In a separate case at District Court, a Filipina holder of a recognizance card for identity purposes was ordered arrested for being absent at today’s hearing of her case for possession of 36 pieces of fake $500 notes, amounting to $18,000.

Chief District Judge Justin Ko also ordered police not to allow Leah Sanesteban, 44 years old, to post bail when she is arrested.

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Sanesteban was arrested by police last July 1 on Nanking St in Yau Ma Tei and charged with violation of section 100(2) of the Crimes Ordinance, which states: “A person who has in his custody or under his control, without lawful authority or excuse, any thing which is, and which he knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or of a protected coin, commits an offense and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 3 years.”

The ordinance also said: “For the purposes of this section it is immaterial that a coin or note is not in a fit state to be passed or tendered or that the making or counterfeiting of a coin or note has not been finished or perfected.”

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Ateneo’s OFW program set to reopen in HK

 

The Ateneo School of Government’s landmark project that seeks to empower Filipino migrants and their families through lessons in leadership, financial literacy and social entrepreneurship is set to launch in Hong Kong again next month.

Those interested to join this year’s cohorts in the Ateneo School of Government's Overseas Filipinos' Leadership, Innovation, Financial Literacy and Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE OF-LIFE) Program must pre-register and attend face-to-face interviews on the dates, time and place indicated below:

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Date: 16 & 23 March 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN
Place: OFW Global Center
18/F United Centre, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Registration Fee: $200.00

Those who are successful in getting admitted into the program will have to pay the course fee of HK$1,200 in three months.

The course sessions will run for 2 Sundays each month, 9am to 5m, starting in April and will finish in November. They will all be held at the OFW Global Center.

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To date, 5200 OFWs and their family members have graduated from the program which has been held in 39 countries as well as 7 cities in the Philippines. In Hong Kong, ALSE has been conducted since 2012.

The program not only seeks to impart valuable lessons in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, but also helps OFWs prepare for their return and reintegration back in the Philippines.

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To register, scan the QR code in the poster or click this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2aLM9MIEQnJsi-khGB42LqfDxQk2In54eXuGXoDHhY4cxw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawI3rB5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHY64xPGwu03PQxHa5sn9YTTOgXNxlMMJCIBhiyKiYC06kSiGBao68YYfYw_aem_Vb80uGLxsOxh_uNT65z1NQ

For more details, please contact the following via WhatsApp:

Analyn: 65009288
Lhotzky: 62164198
Rose: 59056560

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HK-based JLG unveils 5-storey church building in Pangasinan

 

JLG's new church building stands proud and tall in Calasiao, Pangasinan

It all started with a dream some 12 years ago. Young Abigail, the fourth child of Bishop Gerry Vallo who founded the then fledgling Jesus the Living God church in Hong Kong, was doodling on a small piece of paper while confined in a hospital for a leg injury when she suddenly said, “This is our future church building.”

Bishop Gerry and his wife, Pastora Edelyn, were taken aback by the young girl's confident pronouncement but were also elated, for the image presented them was something right out of a dream. 

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At the time, the JLG leader said he had been asking God to help him attain a new perspective in leading a church, after working his way up to lead a big congregation, then finding himself starting all over again with JLG.

“It was as if God confirmed to a babe…that something great was about to happen,” said Bishop Vallo.

The Vallo family singing onstage during the inauguration ceremony

But it took a lot more years of hard work and dedicated fund raising before that dream that grew out of Abigail’s premonition became a reality. 

The revelation came on Jan. 19 this year when the entire Vallo family was joined by friends and family from all over the world in inaugurating JLG Chuch International Headquarters in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Among those who came were some longtime supporters of JLG from all over the world and the Philippines, including Bishop Moses Chungalao of the Free Believers in Christ international church, who despite some health problems, had himself driven from Baguio and back, to lead  the opening rites.

Guests who came from various places in the Phl and abroad cut the ceremonial ribbon

The newly built, five-storey building housing the JLG headquarters is a sight to behold. Painted in striking blue, siena and peach colors, the building that rose from what used to be a land overgrown with cogon grass could be seen from several blocks away though it is set back a few meters from the highway.

“From nothing to something” is how the Vallo couple often explain what to them, is a true gift from God.

After Abigail’s innocent foretelling, it took another two years before the dream started to take shape. Bishop Vallo said that while watching a noontime show on TV, he distinctly heard God telling him that an acquaintance from Calasiao, Arnold Padlan, would donate land for the church. But he was told not to call or send a message to Padlan, but to see him personally.

That same year, the Vallo couple went to see Padlan in Pangasinan. The bishop said he boldly told him about the message he got from God, and was met with complete silence. After a few minutes Padlan told the couple that they should have dinner, and late that night, drove them to his land and pointed to where they could build their church.

That led to another problem: funding. The Vallos knew it would take a lot of help from their friends and supporters before they could even get the building started, but they were undeterred.

After determining they needed at least P6 million to build, they called on friends, business people, fellow pastors and family members to help them realize their dream. From Hong Kong they went to the Philippines, and later North America, to get funding help.

“The first time I raised the goal of raising six million pesos, most of the people listening to me were shocked, but God prevailed,” said Bishop Vallo.

Realizing later on that Php6 million was not enough to complete the building they raised their goal to Php 9 million, still clinging to the thought that what may seem unbelievable could be achieved with God’s grace.

Bishop Moses leads prayer on inauguration day

In due time, and even amid the pandemic, JLG not only met its target, but surpassed it by nearly Php5 million to date. Particularly heartwarming, according to Bishop Gerry, were the donations that came from the hard-earned money of their OFW members, especially one who donated more than Php300,000 “for God’s kingdom.”

With the building now nearly finished, JLG has begun working on the activities they could all do under one room.

“Our mandate is to do the great commissions of God; that is the reason why God gave us this building,” said Bishop Gerry.

He said their long-term goal is to use their training center to raise new workers and pastors, and do other activities that benefit the community, like a feeding program.

All these  need continuous funding so Bishop Gerry and the JLG family is hoping more donors would step forward and help them continue their mission.

(Please send your donations to bank acount number 8751-0114-24 in the name of Jesus The Living God International Ministry Inc at the Bank of the Philippine Island branch in Caranglaan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.)

 

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Fate defeats local rival after 12 years

 

Fate's team captain Don Gaborno in action (File)

It took 12 years for the all-Filipino softball team Fate to defeat their local rival SCAA-Star, so there was plenty of reason for the team to celebrate after their historic match on Feb 23 at the Tin Kwong playground.

Fate won, 3-2, over one of the strongest teams in bracket A of the the Hong Kong Softball Association’s tournament. In the last season, 2023-2024, SCAA-Star was ranked no. 2 while Fate was in fifth place.

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Fate, now with a 3 wins and 4 losses, will next play against Chinese Torpedors on Mar. 16, also at Tin Kwong.

Scoreboard shows the historic win by Fate

The game started with Fate as a home team. The tight defense of both teams gave no room for either to score in the first inning.

In the second, both teams managed to score, through Editha Hidalgo for Fate and Tam Hiu Nam for Star.

The fast ball of pitcher Lanilyn Aligno and good defense of catcher Eunice Locop resulted in three  consecutive standing out for Star in the third inning.

PINDUTIN DITO

In the last inning of the Chinese team, its player Wang Pui Wan managed to score, allowing the team to get ahead with two points.

For Fate’s last inning its players were tense as they knew it was crucial for them to add to their score with Star in the lead. 

Hidalgo proceeded to bat an outfield ball and run to first base safely. Next batter Ana Chelo Garbo also struck an outfield ball that allowed her to make it to the first base and Hidalgo to the second base. The local team then asked for a time out.

Basahin ang detalye!

When play resumed the umpire allowed next batter Bambee Abadilla to walk freely to the first base, ensuring the team had all the bases covered. However Hidalgo was put out on the home base. Batter Mary Joy Agodilla made it safely to the first base but base runner Garbo was also caught in the home base, resulting in two outs for Fate.

Still with full bases, batter Locop struck a long ball to the outfield, allowing base runners Abadilla and Sitchon to get to home base safely. The two additional scores sealed Fate’s dominance of the game. The umpire then stopped the game.

The team with their beloved late manager, Law Wai Ho

Fate was founded 12 years ago, and is now made up of 15 Filipino domestic helpers who are all softball enthusiasts. They choose to spend their only free day in the week in the field practicing for their next game.

The team is managed by Pamela Law, who took over the post after her father and Fate’s original manager, Law Wai Ho, passed away in 2022.

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PCG warns of online game scam by money launderers

 

Warning against the online game scam

The Philippine Consulate has warned Filipinos in Hong Kong against a supposed online game offered by money laundering syndicates, in which victims are promised payment of at least $500 if they join using their HKID cards and personal photos.

“Unfortunately, the supposed online game is actually a virtual bank app (e.g., Mox Bank, ZA, ets) and the syndicates would use the Hong Kong ID and photograph taken from the target FDW to open a bank account,” said the PCG.

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Once the bank account is opened in the name of the unsuspecting victim, the syndicate would use it to launder or funnel proceeds from criminal activities.

Not a few Filipino domestic workers who had fallen for this ruse have been charged in court for money laundering, which almost always result in the accused being sentenced to months in prison, depending on the amount involved.

PINDUTIN DITO

Professing innocence, or of having been victimized by the real culprits, have yet to hold sway with judges, who follow sentencing guidelines that decree immediate custodial sentence for the accused.

Do not write the PIN on your ATM card, says the PCG

From documented cases, the Consulate said syndicates have also managed to take control of bank accounts owned by FDWs by using lost ATMs.

“Unfortunately, some FDWs write their personal identification numbers (PIN) on their ATM cards, and this allows the syndicates to use the bank account as a stooge bank account for money laundering.

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Left unsaid were the documented cases of FDWs willingly lending their ATMs to unknown people, often in exchange for a few hundred dollars, without realizing the likely consequences of the foolhardy act.

The message is thus clear: Do not provide copies of your personal documents like HKID cards, passports and ATMs to strangers, said the Consulate.

Never share your personal documents with strangers and report promptly if you lose them

If any of these documents are lost or misplaced, the owner should report immediately to the Immigration Department, the Consulate or the relevant banks to prevent them being used for money laundering.

Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, money laundering is punishable with a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for up to 14 years.

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Memorial mass held for Filipina found dead in employer's home

 (UPDATED)

Notice of memorial mass for Merlyn (from Facebook)

A mass was said on Sunday, Feb. 9, at St Joseph’s Church in Central for a former longtime volunteer who was found dead in her employer’s home in Repulse Bay six days earlier.

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Merlyn Anillo, 41 years old, was found lifeless in her room by her employer who had just returned from a vacation. It’s  believed the Filipina had been dead for about four days before her body was discovered.

A neighbor posted this picture of Merlyn's body being taken away (from Facebook)

According to staff at the Migrant Workers’ Office, cardiac arrest is believed to have caused her death, and no foul play had been detected. But the result of the autopsy could take time.

The MWO said it had been in touch with the deceased Filipina’s employer and her family in Sta Lucia, Ilocos Sur. The family has reportedly asked that the remains be brought home so she can be buried in her hometown. 

According to a close friend, Lhen had complained of having a heart problem and of having undergone depression after a falling out with some fellow volunteers at St. Joseph's church.

She also reportedly told the friend on Thursday, or the day she is believed to have passed on, that she was having palpitations. But when told that she should go and see a doctor, she said she could not as her employer was not in town.

Her friend tried to call her the next day but Lhen no longer picked up. 

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Police said that they received a report at about 1pm on Feb 3 that a "foreign woman" was found collapsed in a house on South Bay Road, Aberdeen. Police who arrived at the scene certified her dead at the scene.

The case has been classified as "dead body found."

Lhen was said to have worked in Hong Kong for 12 years, and was a longtime guitarist at St Joseph's choir.

However, she was forced to leave the church following a dispute with fellow members at the Apostleship of Prayer group in April last year. She then moved on to Mt Carmel Bethany Choir in Wanchai and was with them until her passing.

Her friend, Flor, said Lhen also stopped going out on her days off. After attending church she would reportedly just go back to her employer's house, and declined invitations to meet up elsewhere. She also often spoke of feeling depressed, and of having heart problems.

Flor said she had urged Lhen to seek counseling, but could not go with her as she had to move to Macau last August due to problems with her employment. They kept touch through phone calls, however, and it was Flor that Len had called the day before she passed.

Lhen's friends say her remains will be brought home by air direct from the mortuary on Feb. 15. No public viewing is expected.