To be able to vote online you need to enrol first

 

Community leaders listen to Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel

You may be a registered voter in Hong Kong for overseas voting in the Philippines, but you may not be able to cast your ballot in the country's first election over the internet that starts on April 13, unless you have enrolled in the new voting and counting system.

Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel, Chairman of the Consulate’s Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) in Hong Kong, emphasized this Sunday, as he asked community leaders to help spread the word to their members so they can vote any time, anywhere using their gadgets.

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He was speaking at a training session on online voting at the OFW World Center on the 18^th floor of the United Centre Building in Admiralty.

He said registered voters can pre-enroll and take part in test voting using their own computers, tablets or mobile phones through a web page that will be launched on Thursday, March 20, and will remain open until Apr. 12.

The actual enrolment will take place at the start of the month-long election on Apr 13, and continue only until May 7, or five days before the election ends. 

Once enroled, they can proceed to cast their ballots starting at 8am on Apr 13, until the polling ends at 7pm on May 12, again using their own gadgets. 

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Unlike in the past when voters in Hong Kong had to go to the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town to physically cast their ballots, all registered electors this year can vote in the comfort of their homes or elsewhere as long as they have pre-enroled.

Manuel said the Consulate will assist anyone who may have difficulty enroling as a voter, or casting their ballots.

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“Kung hindi alam bumoto, kung walang PC, kung walang phone, o hindi makaintindi ng English, punta lang po kayo sa Konsulado. Kami na ang bahala mag assist,” he said. (If you don't know how, or you don't have a PC or a phone, or you can't understand English, just come to the Consulate. We'll assist you).

Voting centers will be set up at the Consulate for people with these problems, he added.

Hong Kong has 83,330 registered voters, of whom 79,487 or 95 per cent are women, according to the Commission on Elections. 

Internet voting which will be held at most overseas posts for the first time this year, is expected to boost election turnout by making the process easier and more accessible.

Filipina held for alleged theft of jewelry, cash over 4-year period

 

The Filipina is accused of stealing 14 expensive jewelry items (File)

A Filipina domestic helper was returned to jail after appearing at Shatin Magistracy on Mar 13, charged with stealing a number of expensive jewelry and substantive cash from her employer – over a four-year period.

Nishel G. Narag, 43 years old, was told to appear in court again on April 4 for another hearing of the case.

She is accused of stealing 14 different pieces of jewelry plus cash from the flat of her employer Leung Iu Ping at Tower 5 in Festival City, Shatin, between “an indefinite day in 2021 and 28 Jan. 2025.”

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She was arrested after the last alleged theft, and taken to the Shatin police station for questioning on Jan. 30 this year.

It was not clear from the charge sheet why it took long for the alleged thefts to have been uncovered.

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The jewelry items she is alleged to have stolen comprised of 5 gold bracelets, 2 diamond rings, 2 gold necklaces, 1 platinum bracelet, 1 diamond necklace with pendant and 3 gold rings.

She is also accused of stealing 6,500 British pounds and 10,000 Euro, valued at HKD237,242.32 in total.

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Under Sec 9 of the Theft Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the crime of theft is 10 years’ imprisonment.

 

16 people linked to illegal cleaning work arrested

Police hold a press briefing on the arrests

A pre-dawn raid by law enforcers on several residential estates in Tseung Kwan O and Tai Po early today, Sunday, resulted in the arrests of 16 people suspected of engaging or abetting illegal work.

The group, comprising 12 men and four women aged between 27 and 66, were arrested by a team of 80 officers from the police and Immigration Department.

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The raids were conducted at cleaning stations, refuse collection points and staff rest areas in the estates.

Of the 16 arrested, 12 were suspected illegal workers hired by four local foremen to do cleaning work at housing estates and malls for which they were paid between $300 to $500 per day.

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Of the 12 suspected illegal workers, seven hold recognizance papers or documents that allow them to pursue applications for non-refoulement or against being sent back home.

Three of the workers were illegal immigrants, one came in as tourist, while another was a two-way permit holder from China.

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Most of the non-Chinese workers were Vietnamese.

The four other people arrested were local foremen who had recruited the illegal workers through referrals from former recruits.

A number of forged documents were seized during the operation, including identification documents, identity card copies, work uniforms, employment records, and cleaning equipment.

An investigation into the operation is underway, and more arrests may follow as officers contact the companies involved in hiring the illegal workers.

Immigration has again reminded employers to take extra care in verifying the legal employment status of jobseekers.

Illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, with offenders facing a maximum jail term of between two and three years, and a $50,000 fine.

Those who employ illegal workers are punished more severely, with a maximum jail term of 10 years and fine of up to $500,000.

 

Duterte appears before ICC over ‘tokhang’ killings

Duterte looked frail as he appeared via video link at the ICC hearing (ICC photo) 

 Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, Mar. 14, charged with “crimes against humanity of murder” over the killings of “at least” 43 people during his bloody war on drugs over an eight-year period.

Duterte looked frail as he testified through video link from the ICC Detention Centre, becoming the first Asian leader to be charged before the tribunal.

Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said Duterte had requested for his participation through video link, and the court agreed.

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She then went on to verify Duterte’s identity by asking for his full name and place of birth, then informed him of his rights under the Rome Statute of the ICC.

Among those in court was his lawyer Salvador Medialdea, while his daughter, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, watched from the gallery.

Medialdea told the three ICC judges that the 79-year-old former leader was “abducted” so he could be taken to The Hague, and was too ill to give evidence.

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Duterte was flown to the Netherlands a few hours after being arrested by Philippine police at the Manila airport on his arrival from Hong Kong early on Wednesday.

Medialdea claimed Duterte’s arrest and appearance at the ICC was “pure and simple kidnapping” and that his client was suffering from “debilitating” medical issues.

Judge Motoc replied that the court doctor who examined Duterte prior to the hearing had found him “fully mentally aware and fit.”

The all-women judges of ICC's pre-trial chamber presided over the hearing

She added that Duterte and his lawyers can raise questions about his transfer to the court and his health at subsequent hearings.

The judge set down Duterte’s next court appearance on Sept. 23, during which the court will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. She said this should give both sides enough time to prepare their arguments.

Until then, Duterte will have to remain in custody.

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The warrant against Duterte which was made public on Mar. 11, alleges that he was an indirect co-perpetrator of the crimes against humanity of murder, torture and rape committed in the Philippines between Nov 1, 2011 and Mar 16, 2019.

According to the court, the charges were based on a “non-exhaustive list of incidents” submitted by the prosecution, which identified a total of at least 43 people being killed during Duterte’s “Oplan Tokhang” crackdown on drugs, while serving as mayor of Davao City and later, as president of the Philippines.

At least 19 persons alleged drug pushers or thieves were said to have been killed in or around Davao City by a group of vigilantes called the DDS or Davao Death Squad; and at least 24 other supposed criminals while Duterte was serving as Philippine president between 2016 and 2022.

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.

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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.

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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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Pinay pleads guilty to 4 counts of assault on her Filipina DH

 

Building where assault happened (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina resident pleaded guilty today at Kwun Tong court to four counts of assault on her domestic helper, also a Filipina, but will have to wait until March 27 to find out what her punishment will be.

May Esplana, a 37-year-old customer service officer, was returned to jail where she would wait two weeks for her sentencing.

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Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie adjourned the case after the four counts of violation of the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance, were read to Esplana.

The assaults were committed in Esplana’s flat on Ting Yip St. in Sau Mau Ping, Kowloon, on her helper, Justine Melendres.

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The first two charges of common assault were committed by Esplana on the helper on two separate occasions on Oct. 29 last year. She again assaulted Melendres two days later, on Oct. 31.

The assault was repeated the next day, Nov. 1, but leaving “actual bodily harm” on Melendres, resulting in the fourth charge.

The maximum penalty for assault occasioning bodily harm is three years' imprisonment while for common assault it is a year in jail.

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In a separate case also in Kwun Tong Court, Magistrate Leung put off sentencing on Marlon Cayambas, 48, who had pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Leung also returned Cayambas to jail after adjourning the case to March 27.

The case of dealing with property known or believed to be proceeds of indictable offense, a violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, arose from the inflow and outflow of money totalling $147,394 in his HSBC account between 15^th and 21^st  of September, 2021.

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Filipino cleared of attempting to traffic liquid cocaine

 

Customs display of what it called record seizure of liquid cocaine (photo from Jan 15, 2024)

An unemployed Filipino walked free today after prosecutors at West Kowloon Court withdrew a charge against him of attempting to traffic what was originally believed to be 444 kilos of liquid cocaine, the biggest to be seized in Hong Kong.

Aster Leo Balucanag, 38 years old, had earlier been charged by the Customs and Excise Department with violation of sections 4 (1) (a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offense. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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Balucanag was arrested on Jan. 13 last year and accused of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug on Dec. 11 to 19, 2023. 

The drug was originally described as 444 kilos of liquid cocaine but crossed out from the charge sheet pending confirmation by the Government Laboratory.

It was not clear why the amount of the drug used to charge him had been crossed out but it would appear that the chemical tests failed to affirm the drug content of the liquid substance linked to the arrest

The accused was arrested along with a 50-year-old transportation company owner in a controlled. operation, after the suspected liquid cocaine was seized on Dec. 19, 2023 from a 20-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying wine and grape juice.

A Customs press release issued on Jan 15, 2024 said 148 packages of suspected liquid cocaine packed in transparent liquid bags were found inside 37 out of 706 carton boxes of wine.

The haul, with an estimated market value of about $490 million, was said to represent a record seiure of liquid cocaine. 

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Meanwhile, a Filipina recognizance card holder was returned to jail after her case of fighting in a public place was adjourned to March 19 at Eastern Court.

Mari Miriam Manrique, 40 years old, was charged with taking part in a fight inside a subway at 1 Wong Nai Chung Road in Happy Valley last Feb. 15, in violation of the Public Order Ordinance.

Her male opponent, Chiu Chun-long, 48 years old, was not called to today’s hearing.

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In a similar case at Kowloon City Court, Filipino salesman Maciste Cobarrubias and Chinese taxi-driver Cheng Chun-yan were allowed to post bail of $500 each after their case was adjourned to April 16.

Cobarrubias, 44 years old, and Cheng, aged 51, were accused of fighting each other on July 20 last year outside Hung Hom Bay Center on Baker St. in Hung Hom.

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Marcos confirms giving go signal for Duterte to face ICC trial

 

President Marcos holds press conference shortly after plane carrying Duterte had taken off

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed allowing his predecessor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, to be flown to The Hague in the Netherlands after local authorities received a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court.

Marcos held a news conference shortly after Duterte left aboard a private Gulfstream jet late on Tuesday night.

''The plane carrying former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took off at 11:03 p.m. this evening and exited Philippine air space," Marcos said in a news conference.

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"The plane is en route to The Hague in the Netherlands allowing the former president to face charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs,'' he added.

Marcos added Interpol Manila received a copy of the ICC’s warrant hours before Duterte arrived at 9:20am on Tuesday from Hong Kong, where he led a thanksgiving and political rally.

“Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill. If we don’t do that, they will not – they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,” he said.

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“This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations,” he added. 

Duterte and Medialdea aboard the private jet that is taking them to The Hague
(ABS-CBN photo)

Duterte flew out aboard a Gulfstream jet along with his lawyer Salvador Medialdea, an aide and a nurse.

Reports said the plane will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates before continuing the journey to The Hague.

Earlier, Duterte was read the charges he is facing before the ICC, which are crimes against humanity and murder, after he was taken to the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City following his arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He was also read the Miranda rights of the accused.

Duterte responded that he understood the charges, but he should not be arrested as the Philippines was no longer a member of the ICC. He also said the Supreme Court would definitely stop his arrest.

Videos taken by his youngest daughter Victoria also showed him undergoing a medical check-up by government doctors. Despite this, she claimed her father was not being given medical care that he badly needed, and that he was "getting weaker by the minute."

Outside Villamor, a handful of his supporters staged a protest to denounce the arrest. But this was countered by militant groups which staged a separate protest in Quezon City calling for Duterte to be jailed and hauled before the ICC.

At the same time, families of those killed in the killing spree during Duterte’s term held two separate prayer rallies to give thanks for his long-awaited arrest and urge that he be held to account for the killings immediately.

A holding cell at the ICC in The Hague

Duterte’s lawyers filed a last minute petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court to get the arrest reversed, and to stop him being taken to The Hague. But apart from saying that the petition would be raffled off, the SC did not budge.

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Ex-President Duterte on the way to The Hague after arrest

 

Duterte goes up the Lear jet that will take him to The Hague

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was put on a plane bound for The Hague in the Netherlands shortly after 11pm tonight, Mar. 11, hours after he was arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court over killings during his war on drugs.

His transfer to The Hague makes him Asia’s first former head of state to go on trial at the ICC.

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Duterte was arrested at about 9:20 this morning by local police acting at the request of the Interpol, as his plane landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila from Hong Kong, where he met with overseas Filipino workers on Sunday.

Duterte is given a medical check-up by government doctors after his arrest

Some political commentators said he used his unannounced trip to Hong Kong to ask help from Beijing after hearing of the plan to arrest him, but was apparently unsuccessful.

His flight to The Hague in the company of his former executive secretary and lawyer Salvador Medialdea was disclosed by several people, including his youngest daughter Veronica, who said on Instagram that her family had not been told of the private plane’s destination.

"They took dad from us, put him on a plane and wouldn't say where to. People, wake up," she posted.

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Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s embattled older daughter, said she had tried to gain entry to Villamor Airbase where her father was detained before being whisked away, but was rebuffed.

“As I write this, he is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight. This is not justice – this is oppression and persecution,” she said.

She condemned her father’s arrest as illegal, saying he was denied of his fundamental right to be brought before a court so he could assert his rights and avail of reliefs provided by law.

Shortly after Duterte’s plane took off, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., held a news conference to confirm that the plane was heading to The Hague (see separate story).

The ICC will investigate Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity

A last-minute attempt by his lawyers to get the Philippine Supreme Court to stop him being taken away and put under the ICC’s jurisdiction resulted in the country’s top judicial body merely announcing that the case would be raffled off. The hoped-for temporary restraining order did not materialize.

Shortly after his arrest Duterte also tried to resist being sent off to The Hague, saying he should only be tried by a Philippine court.

"ICC is out of the question… We are not a signatory of the ICC. Diyan ako hindi papayag," he told the arresting officers. (I will not agree to that). 

He also said he was certain the Supreme Court would not allow him to be taken away and tried before a foreign court.

 

Duterte who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested following the ICC’s investigation into the thousands of “extrajudicial killings” that were carried out in line with his anti-drugs campaign.

But he has always maintained that the police linked to the killings had only acted in self-defence, and insisted that those killed, including a number of young teenagers, were drug dealers.

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Duterte also repeatedly said in public that he was committed to ridding the country of drugs, even it meant him ending in jail.

However, human rights activists have documented cases that showed many of those killed were innocent bystanders, and pointed to several of Duterte’s close friends as the real drug dealers.

Just before leaving Hong Kong, he again taunted the ICC, saying he had long waited for it to arrest him.

In 2019, he unilaterally withdrew the Philippines’ membership from the ICC, and has since used this as an excuse for saying the international court could have no jurisdiction over him.

But the ICC maintains it retains the right to investigate alleged crimes that took place while a country was a member.

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