DMW reports taking down 70k fake job posts on social media

 

The Department of Migrant Workers has reported taking down and deactivating 71,653 fake job postings and accounts in 2024, including 50,220 suspicious posts on Facebook and 21,433 on TikTok.

In a statement issued on Friday, Jan 17, the DMW said many of the fake job postings were made by groups masquerading as legitimate recruitment agencies. They duplicated the official Facebook pages of DMW-licensed agencies to entice unsuspecting jobseekers.

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DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the operation was conducted with help from Facebook and Tiktok.

“As we find them, we take them down. Every illegal recruitment post we see online, we immediately report and coordinate with Facebook and TikTok for the deactivation of those accounts,” Cacdac said.

“There were duplications of accounts and pages of legitimate recruitment agencies on Facebook. We had a meeting with these agencies, and Facebook agreed to take down all these copycat sites.”

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As part of its campaign against illegal recruitment activities, the DMW, through its Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) is also partnering with concerned government agencies, local government units, and key social partners to educate OFWs and would-be OFWs, and step up enforcement.

The DMW advises Filipinos seeking to work abroad to be wary of dubious job offers on social media, and to always verify the legitimacy of the agencies making them, to avoid falling victim to internet fraudsters.

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Everyone is encouraged to report any suspicious recruitment activities online to the DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/dmwairtip/, email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph or through their hotline number +63 2 8721-0619 for legal assistance.###

Phl warns against online offers of call center jobs abroad

 

The Department of Migrant Workers has warned against call center jobs in other countries offered on social media, which often require an immediate departure from the Philippines.

According to a DMW post on Facebook, those who take up the fake job offers are sent by syndicates to Thailand, Singapore or Vietnam as tourists, before being taken to nearby Cambodia, Myanmar or Laos to work as scammers.

Recently, Nigeria appears to have been added to the list of places favored by illegal recruiters of Filipinos.

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A separate advisory said a group of Filipinos has been arrested in Abuja and Lagos recently over allegations of cybercrime, economic sabotage and violations of Nigerian immigration laws.

It turned out the Filipinos were recruited to travel to Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on tourist visas, and were made to believe that they would be issued work permits on arrival in Nigeria.

In truth, the Nigerian government does not allow the conversion of tourist visas to work permits. Filipinos who wish to work there are required to first secure a Subject to Regularization visa from the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines.

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The DMW advises the public to first verify the job offers made to them online, and to remain cautious to avoid falling victim to illegal recruiters.

They should also resist any attempts to involve them in third-country deployment as this is not only illegal under Philippine laws, it could also leave them easy targets for crime syndicates.

Those who wish to report to DMW any possible illegal recruitment offer may send an email to airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or on its Facebook page: DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program.

Migrants oppose 15% SSS contribution for 2025

 

Unifil-Migrante protesting against the higher SSS contributions in 2018

Militant organizations, including United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong, have slammed the increase to 15% of monthly premium contributions to the Social Security System of Filipino workers in the private sector, including those who are abroad.

In line with Republic Act (RA) No 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 passed under the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the premium contributions were raised to 12% of the workers’ monthly salary in 2019 (from the previous 11%), and would gradually increase, reaching 15% by 2025.

The total monthly premium is supposed to be shared by employers and employees, but OFWs who have been categorized as self-employed, are required to shoulder the total amount. This would mean a monthly contribution of P5,280 for each, if their salary is beyond the P35,000 ceiling set under the SSS charter.

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In practice, however, those who are overseas are not compelled to pay – at least, for now – the adjusted monthly premiums, so most still pay the lowest contribution of P960 per month. But since this pegs the OFWs’ monthly salary at only Php8,000, the benefits that will accrue to the member would also be minimal.

Unifil-Migrante, as well as its affiliate party-list group Bayan Muna, have slammed the higher contribution rate, calling it an additional burden to workers already struggling with multiple price increases at the start of 2024.

Former Bayan Muna party-list representative Carlos Zarate had harsher words for the mandated increase, calling it “sadistic” and “savage” during a Facebook live interview by Migrante Hong Kong last Thursday.

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Zarate said that unfortunately the amended SSS charter had already passed into law, so the only legal way to stop its further implementation is by way of legislative amendment.

But what makes the higher contribution fees even more unconscionable, according to him, is SSS’ act of passing on its failure to collect billions of pesos from employers who failed to pay their share of the premiums, or remit the money they had already collected from their employees, to members.

Zarate said the uncollected employers’ share of membership premiums amount to more than Php86 billion, while the unremitted employees’ contributions total Php92.4 billion.

On top of these, he said SSS has failed to collect a total of Php84.55 billion in loans.

Even if only  a portion of these amounts is collected, SSS could very well meet its target of raising Php51.5 billion this year, he said.

Zarate also hit out at the fat salaries and allowances paid by SSS to its top brass, which often put them among the highest paid officials in government-owned and controlled corporations.

Another former Bayan Muna Congressman, Neri Colmenares, slammed the failure of SSS to pay an additional P1,000 in monthly pension to senior citizens, which was ordered by former President Duterte in 2016.

"Ang kapal ng mukha ng SSS na magtaas ng contribution rate habang hindi pa nga naibibigay ang pangakong dagdag-pensyon. Para sa SSS board, mas mahalaga pa ang fund life ng SSS at ang matataas nilang sahod at perks kaysa sa buhay ng mga miyembro nito na pinanggagalingan naman ng pondo ng ahensya,” said Colmenares, who authored the Php2,000 pension increase.

(The nerve of SSS to raise the contribution rate when it has failed to pay the promised additional pension. For the SSS board members, the fund life of SSS and their high salaries and perks are more important than the lives of members from where the agency’s fund comes from).

Colmenares called for the immediate suspension of the new SSS contribution rates, citing the agency’s failure to improve the efficiency of its collection.

 

 

UST chorale in HK Christmas serenade

 

The Thomasian Choir with conductor Nobel Gabasan

A mini-concert last Friday, Dec 6, featuring the Thomasian Chamber Choir of the University of Santo Tomas, brought memories of a traditional Filipino Christmas celebration to many of the 100-odd people in attendance.

The choir sang a medley of  well-loved Filipino Christmas songs like “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit,” “Sa May Bahay,” “Pasko Na Naman” and “Mano Po Ninong,” causing a wave of nostalgia to sweep through the mainly Filipino audience.

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The group, which came all the way from Manila for the performance, also sang Filipino all-time favorites like “Rosas Pandan”, “Ti Ayat ti Maysa Nga Ubing” and “Mariposa,” as well as more contemporary tunes  like “Manila” and “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.”

The open-air amphitheater setting provided the best backdrop for the concert

The concert at the Lippo Amphitheater of the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, as well as the cocktail reception that followd, was hosted by the Philippine Consulate General and was called “Pamaskong Handog ng Konsulado”.

Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan led in welcoming the guests, who included members of the the diplomatic corps, Consulate staff, members of their partner-organizations, and Filipino community leaders.

Congen Usudan told the gathering that this is the last Christmas she’ll be spending in Hong Kong, as she will be recalled to the Head Office of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in March next year.

Congen Usudan who is a UST alumna herself, joins the choir in a photo after the concert

She paid special thanks to UST alumnus and musical conductor Nobel Gabasan, who spent a number of weekends flying to Manila from his Hong Kong homebase, to practice with the choir before their performance.

The Thomasian also entertained overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong when they sang at the celebration of  Migrants Day on Chater Road the next day, Sunday.

 

PNP to investigate VP Duterte's slay threats vs President Marcos

 

Still shot of VP Duterte as she made the threat Friday

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks about killing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The PNP said it recognizes the grave nature of Duterte’s statement last night, in which she spoke of  contracting an assassin to kill the President, his wife Lisa and cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in case she died.

Earlier, Duterte also said that she had imagined beheading Marcos after their relationship had become toxic.

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Malacanang earlier said  it considered the  VP’s statement that she had hired someone to kill the President and his wife and cousin “an active threat.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin immediately referred the matter to the Presidential Securty Command for immediate action.

 “Any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms,” the statement added.

Separately, Senate President Francis Escudero called on Duterte to seek help “so she can regain calm and composure, and properly discharge her duties as Vice President.”

Escudero said Duterte’s recent remarks  were deeply concerning as they were inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office in the country.

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He urged those close to her to advise her against making “these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public” as they do not benefit her, her office or the country.

The moves followed Duterte’s profanity-laden remarks at an online press conference she held jointly with her chief of staff, lawyer Zuleika Lopez, who was earlier cited in contempt by the House during a hearing into the alleged misuse of funds by the Office of the Vice President.

“I have talked to a person. I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM (Marcos), (first lady) Liza Araneta, and (Speaker) Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke,” Duterte said, in between cursing the three. “I said, do not stop until you kill them, and then he said yes.”

She was responding to an online commenter urging her to stay safe, after she announced her intention of staying at the lower chamber of Congress overnight to be with her chief aide.

Lopez is shown being moved to St Luke's by Duterte and her supporters

Lopez was supposed to be kept at the House detention facility until the next hearing on Monday, but Duterte’s insistence on staying with her  prompted an order to keep the detainee at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong instead.

This set off  a flurry of activities, with Lopez being moved to the Veteran’s Hospital, then to St. Luke’s, after complaining of a panic attack.

Earlier today, Lopez was moved back to Veteran’s Hospital on orders of the House, despite her attempt to resist the transfer by sobbing loudly while clinging on to Duterte , and asking for her help.

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DMW official to hold reintegration seminar in HK

 

The talk should answer questions of OFWs planning to go home for good

Are you an overseas Filipino worker thinking of going back home for good, but are unsure as to what you can do when you retire, or what benefits, if any, you can avail of from the government?

Here is your chance to find out.

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On December 1, Sunday, Department of Migrant Workers’ Assistant Secretary for Reintegration, Francis Ron C. de Guzman will speak about the government’s reintegration program for OFWs.

His talk will be held from 9am to 12 noon at the City University of Hong Kong on Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon.

Anybody who wishes to attend is required to register by scanning the QR code in the poster above.

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According to recent news reports from the Philippines, funds for the government’s national reintegration program for OFWs have been doubled under the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, r.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said that as a result, he expects the beneficiaries of the department’s reintegration program to double to 5,000 this year, from the previous 2,500.

He said there are several programs and activities under the National Reintergration Center for OFWs, including the BPBH, Livelihood Development Assistance Program, Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am, Sir, Training on Livelihood, Skills, Techical and Professional Skills, Tulong Pangkapital, and many more.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of DMW, has even more beneficiaries, as about 10% of the OWWA Fund is set aside for reintegration.

Administrator Arnell Ignacio said OWWA is now thinking of a new reintegration program specifically for OFWs who are into farming. He said this will not only help returning workers but will also support the food sufficiency programs of the current administration.

 

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Manila set to deport Hongkonger & alleged Chinese accomplice

 

Beijing requested the deportation of Su and Hui over alleged $64.5M investment fraud 

A Hong Kong man and his Chinese female co-accused in an alleged investment scam are set to be deported from the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration announced yesterday (Monday).

In a news release, BI Commissioner identified the fugitives as Hong Kong national Hui Chi Lam, 55 and Chinese national Su Yan, 47.

The two are wanted by Chinese mainland authorities in connection with an alleged financial fraud in which 59 million yuan (HK64.5 million) was lost. Both are charged with selling financial products to investors without having the required qualifications and government permits since 2018.

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Warrants of arrest against both accused were issued by the public security bureau of Luxi county in Jianxi, China on March 17 this year, but they were not served as they fled to the Philippines on tourist visas.

At the request of Chinese authorities, Philippine immigration authorities managed to track down the two in their condominium unit in Tondo, Manila on October 31.

“They will be deported for being undesirable aliens and their names will be included in our blacklist, banning them from re-entering the Philippines,” Commissioner Viado said.

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Apart from being on China's wanted list, the two aliens are accused of "blatant violation" of Philippine immigration laws for overstaying their tourist visas.

They are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.

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Leon strengthens into Super Typhoon, but HK too far to be affected

 

PAGASA map charts Leon's expected path 

Northern Luzon bore the brunt of gale-force winds and heavy rains as Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) intensified into a super typhoon this morning, with winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts of over 230 kph, prompting weathermen to raise a rare Signal No. 4 over the Batanes islands.

“The situation is potentially very destructive to the community,” according to PAGASA, the Philippines’ weather bureau. “Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed since it may be too late under this situation.”

Typhoon signals 1 to 3 were also raised over the rest of Luzon.

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Leon’s force pulled together rain-laden clouds that cover most of the country, leaving only Mindanao relatively clear, prompting warnings of floods and landslides especially in areas battered by Storm Kristine which surged through the country earlier this week.

So far, 125 people have been reported dead and 28 missing as a result of both Kristine and Leon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

NDRRMC said 115 persons were also reported injured.

In Hong Kong, the super typhoon will hardly be felt, as it will be about 800 kilometres away as of tomorrow morning, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

“Kong-rey will move across the vicinity of the central and southern parts of Taiwan, then turn northwards and edge closer to northern Fujian, maintaining a distance of over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong in the next couple of days,” the Observatory said.

It attributed Hong Kong’s current dry weather until Saturday to a “dry replenishment of the northeast monsoon” over the eastern shore of China, which is also expected to push the typhoon off Fujian province in the next two days.

But the Observatory said it will issue the Strong Monsoon Signal depending on the change in local wind conditions.

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CebuPac resumes direct flight between Iloilo and HK

 

Flight 5J 242 gets a water cannon salute before leaving Iloilo last night 

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific resumed its direct flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong yesterday night, Oct.27. 

Flight 5J 242 was given a water cannon salute as it left Iloilo airport at 11:06 pm, and arrived in Hong Kong at 1:35am early this morning.

From Hong Kong, Flight 243 of the Philippines’ second flag carrier headed back to Iloilo at 2:20am for the resumption of the return flight, and arrived there at 5am.

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The flights from Iloilo will be four times weekly, every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Flights from Hong Kong to Iloilo will be every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, following the same schedule.

To mark the milestone, CebuPac offered one-way promotional base fares for as low as P1 for direct flights between Iloilo and Hong Kong,  between July 26 and July 31, for flights from Oct 27, 2024 to March 29, 2025.

With the flight resumptions, CebuPac became the only airline to operate international flights from Iloilo.

The airline said the service could make air travel even more affordable and accessible for a wide range of passengers in the Visayas region.

Next month, it is scheduled to also resume direct flights to Singapore from both Iloilo and Davao.

Cebu Pacific currently operates flights to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

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Artworks by survivors of online child sex abuse on display at Consulate

 

The exhibit hopes to bring light to victims of child sex abuse

A special art exhibit dubbed “Gallery of Hope” is on at the Consulate’s public  area, to mark the Museums and Galleries Month this October.

The exhibit, dubbed “Gallery of Hope”, showcases art works by children who have survived online sexual abuse and exploitation in the Philippines.

Despite the nightmare that they were made endure, the contributing artists opted to make bright and colourful drawings, a reminder to everyone that a grim past should not hinder a brighter future.

Some information about online sex exploitation is flashed on the screen in the public area

In a survey report published only  last October 9, the United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (Unicef) revealed that one girl in every eight worldwide experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.

The situation is most dire in the Philippines, which is now said to be considered the center of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children worldwide.

An earlier Unicef survey found that 7 million children are reportedly sexually and physically abused in the country each year.

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The abuse is committed within families and the community, and many local governments are reportedly complicit as they give permits to operate to sex bars, clubs and hotels where trafficked minors are brought to and sold for sex to customers, many of whom are foreigners.

The problem is highlighted in a case reported Tuesday, where a Filipino mother and her live-in partner were arrested for allegedly selling sexually explicit photos and videos of the woman's six-year-old son to pedophiles abroad for between Php1,500 to Php5,000 per material.

The alleged offence was uncovered by police investigators who were tipped off by Australian authorities after one of the couple's clients was arrested. The boy’s mother reportedly met potential clients on online dating sites.

Both she and her partner were arrested and charged with online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, which is punishable under RA11930 with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and P2 million in fine.

Consul General Germinia Usudan poses with staff and guests at the exhibit launch on Oct 13

At the exhibit’s launch, the Consulate took the opportunity to distribute informational brochures from the government on the growing problem of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the country.

The exhibition is open to the public until the end of October at the “Sining Malaya Art Corner” located at the Philippine Consulate’s public area from Sunday to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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PHLPost resumes issuance of postal ID

 

Specimen of a Philippine postal ID

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) announced yesterday, Tuesday, that it will  resume accepting applications for postal IDs.

PHLPost suspended the acceptance of rush and regular postal ID applications on March 10, 2023 due to technical issues.

The postal ID is popular with those seeking a nationally accepted identification document for transacting with government offices and private businesses as it does not require too many proofs of identification and is usually issued within 10 working days.

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But first, applicants must personally apply in several capturing post offices branches nationwide.

First-time applicants must also bring the original and a photocopy of the following documents:

-              -  A proof of identity, such as a birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority or local civil registry, GSIS, SSS UMID Card, driver’s license, or passport

-          -  A proof of address, such as a  barangay clearance, certified true copy of lease, certified true copy of titles, certified true copy of real estate tax receipt, bank statement, credit card statement, school billing statement, or utility bill

-         For renewal, applicants must also bring an original and photocopy of their expired postal ID, any proof of identity, and address. Married women who are renewing under their new surnames must bring their marriage certificates.

The application fee costs P550.

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