66-year-old Filipino gets 24 years in jail for drug trafficking

 

The sentencing was held at the Court of First Instance in the High Court

An uneasy silence followed the pronouncement today of a 24-year jail term for 66-year-old Antonio S. Leybag, Jr., a Filipino tourist who was found guilty after trial of trafficking nearly four kilos of cocaine into Hong Kong more than two years ago.

Everyone who attended the sentencing at the Court of First Instance was acutely aware of what Judge Amanda Woodcock had said in passing - that Leybag, given his advanced age, would probably spend the rest of his life in a Hong Kong jail.

But Judge Woodcock said the sentence followed the guidelines set down by the Court of Appeal for cocaine trafficking, and there being not much to be said in terms of mitigation in the case.

Basahin ang detalye!

Leybag had maintained his innocence throughout the five-day trial, saying he had thought all along that the two bags he was made to carry from Sao Paulo to Dubai and then Hong Kong, contained only important documents.

Despite this, a jury made up of six men and one woman voted 6-1 in favor of convicting him of drug trafficking, after deliberating for about half a day on Tuesday.

Judge Woodcock said that for cocaine trafficking in which the amount involved was between 1,200 to 4,000 grams, the prescribed sentence is between 23 and 26 years. As Leybag had brought in nearly 4 kilos of cocaine, the correct sentence, “mathematically speaking,” should be well over 25 years.

“But I will proceed on the basis that he was a drug courier,” the judge said, before setting down a starting point of 24 years’ imprisonment, with no mitigating or aggravating factor being considered.

Under Hong Kong laws, the maximum sentence that can be imposed in cases of drug trafficking is  life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.

Leybag hardly showed any emotion after the sentencing, although he was immediately approached by the defense team and the interpreters who offered him words of comfort before he was led away.

The Ilocano-speaking Leybag was described in court as a mechanical engineer who had previously worked in the Middle East. He is married with seven grown-up children. However, no one from his family was in court during his trial.

The 9 parcels of cocaine found in Leybag's luggage

He was stopped on his way out of Hong Kong International Airport on May 23, 2022, during a random check by customs authorities.

A secondary inspection of a briefcase and a small suitcase he was carrying yielded nine packets of cocaine hidden inside glued compartments of the two bags which altogether weighed 3.95 kilos.

Prosecutor Lawrence Hui said the market value of the drugs was $3.588 million.

When questioned, Leybag admitted being paid US$1,000 by a man called Johnson Wilson in Brazil to hand carry the bags to Dubai and then Hong Kong, but thought they contained only important documents.

He said Mr Wilson had invited him to go to Brazil to inspect houses which, upon questioning by the prosecution, were said to be owned by “Sotheby’s” and cost tens of millions. This was because of his work experience and his having a construction business in the Philippines, said Leybag.

He said it was the third time he had gone to Brazil, but he was not asked to carry documents during his two previous trips.

Hui, however, revealed text exchanges between Leybag and the man he called Mr Wilson, in which the defendant was given detailed instructions on what he must do during his trip. They included a reminder that Leybag must not show the “documents” to immigration officers in Dubai and Hong Kong.

Hui said the term “document” referred to the drugs in the bags which Leybag must have known about. But Leybag said it referred to his passport, air tickets and his PCR test result, as it was then the height of the pandemic.

Leybag insisted he did not know about the drugs, and he was not in the habit of lying as he is a Christian.

Leybag arrived in Hong Kong on board a Qatar Airways flight from Doha at about 5pm on May 23, 2022. He had flown out originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and passed Doha on the way to Hong Kong.

One  of  the customs officers who arrested him said Leybag  had used the “green lane”” which is reserved for travelers who do not have dutiable goods to declare to customs.

After his bags were put through an X-ray machine, the officer saw some items inside that were not readily apparent from the outside. The suitcase was also unusually heavy.

On inspection, the officer noted that the inside flaps of the suitcase had been glued shut. A hole was then punched into the top of the suitcase, and white powder trickled out. The nine packets of cocaine were eventually found hidden in the two bags.

 

Pinay fights $2.2M money laundering case

 

A Filipina former domestic helper today denied her role in two cases of money laundering involving a total of $2.2 million in crime money.

Analiza Talay, 48 years old, shook her head as she denied the charges – two counts of “dealing with property known or believed to be proceeds of indictable offense,” in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance -- when read to her at the Eastern Court.

Principal Magistrate Don So adjourned the case to Feb. 12 next year for a pre-trial review as he released her on $5,000 bail.

Basahin ang detalye!

The first charge accuses her of dealing, together with an unknown person, with $1,746,610.41 “representing the proceeds of an indictable offense” that flowed in and out of her Mox Bank account between 19 and 28 of March 2023.

In the second charge, her ZA Bank account was used to deal with $478,121.52 in crime proceeds between 19 and 27 March 2023.

3 Chinoys jailed 5 days, fined for shoplifting

 

North Point street where theft allegedly happened (Google Maps photo)

The three Filipino Chinese visitors whose bail offer of $30,000 each for two cases of shoplifting was rejected at Eastern Court last week, were sentenced to five days in prison and fined – after spending six days in detention.

G. Ong, 66 years old, P. Sy, 74, and P. L. Sy, 47, each pleaded guilty today to one count of theft for stealing 34 pens worth $2,012 from the Yu Shu Fong stationery store on Electric Road in North Point last Nov. 30.

Go pleaded guilty to a second theft case for stealing a toy train worth $68 from the same store on the same date.

Basahin ang detalye!

Principal Magistrate Don So punished Go with $2,000 fine and five days in prison for the two thefts.

The two Sys, on the other hand, were each fined $1,000 and five days in prison.

Since they had been detained for six days, Magistrate So told them to proceed to the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, where they had been detained, so they could be released immediately.

So ordered them detained last Thursday (Dec. 5) until today’s hearing after their lawyer said they were allowed by the Immigration Department to stay in Hong Kong only until this week.

The lawyer was seeking their release on bail, saying they were established business people in the Philippines, with the elder Sy even owning a flat in Hong Kong, and were willing to each post a $30,000 bail.

Business Ideas: Want to go home for good? Check out DMW’s Reintegration Program

 

DMW ASec Francis Ron De Guzman explains Reintegration Plan Roadmap 

By Leo A. Deocadiz

Inaul, a fabric native to Maguindanao, is now one of the country’s emerging exports as its production has increased to meet buyers’ need for bigger quantities, with the help of former OFWs who have gone home for good and joined a cooperative that makes it.

In Aklan, a group of former OFWs are producing barong and export-quality products such as placemats made of nito fabrics which they now sell abroad.

These are just some of the ex-OFWs who have found new livelihoods under the Reintegration Program of the Department of Migrant Workers, according to Francis Ron de Guzman, DMW assistant secretary for reintegration services.

Basahin ang detalye!

The program includes financial literacy  and business development training. “When you finish the two-day training, and you have chosen what you want to finance, we will give you P10,000 to start with.  It’s a small amount but it’s a big help,” he said.

De Guzman, who spoke in an orientation for a group of OFWs recently at the City University of Hong Kong, said the Maguindanao OFWs got into their new trade after being introduced by the DMW Region 12 office to a cooperative whose members have woven inaul for decades.

The OFWs were given training and became members of the cooperative. Now, with government help and bigger production, the inaul weavers have found buyers abroad.

“In Aklan, the PESO (Public Employment Service Office) introduced us to makers of barong and products made of nito fiber, who were beneficiaries of DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and DOST (Department of Science and Technology) export engagement program,” he said. “So we helped ex-OFWs there to train in producing those products and join the export enterprise as suppliers.”

Ex-OFWs show their checks to serve as starting capital after completing their training

De Guzman said DMW’s reintegration program has evolved over the last decade to become a part of OFWs' life even before they leave for abroad.

It starts in the pre-departure orientation seminar that OFWs are required to take online before they leave; it now includes financial literacy, which shows them how to manage their finances so they can  save for their return home.

Various government offices are also cooperating with DMW to offer programs for returning OFWs.

“In Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, we are piloting programs with the Department of Agriculture on backyard gardening, to provide access to all DA services to improve the quality of their land to make even a small plot of land more productive.”

A joint project with the Department of Tourism in Nueva Ecija is Kulinaria, which aims to introduce OFWs to the food business by training them in cooking, basic food handling and safety, and then giving them a small capital to start a home canteen business.

One of the graduates cooked a really delicious laing (gabi leaves cooked in coconut milk) and would always bring food to sell in the DMW office. “We realized she already had a small canteen. So what we did was to get her as caterer for events in the office. We then urged her to register with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) so she can bid as a supplier to other government agencies.”

He said catering for government functions is big business.

“For example, in one big event at DMW, the catering can cost about P400,000 to P500,000.  If you can meet that demand, then you would have an edge over commercial caterers simply because you are an OFW catering at a DMW event,” he added.

Beginning next year, he said, reintegration programs that target OFWs’ families will be implemented through local government units in all provinces in the country, with the help of the Department of Interior and Local Government. He said DMW and DILG signed a memorandum of agreement for the project last June.

He said his group refers to DOST those who need to improve their products. “If you are an OFW with a product, reach out to us," he advised. “We will network you with DOST which will provide you with an entire menu of free training, product and packaging design. They will even will help you print your initial packaging for your product.”

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.

Basahin ang detalye!

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.

 

Temperatures forecast to drop to 13°C on Sunday

 

Discovery Bay residents enjoying man-made snow last Sunday

Hong Kong people were told to bundle up this weekend, as temperatures are expected to fall to as low 13 degrees on Sunday, Dec. 15.

The Hong Kong Observatory said a surge of the northeast monsoon will reach the coast of Guangdong on Wednesday night, resulting in a gradual dip in temperatures.

On Saturday, the lowest temperature expected is 15 degrees Celsius in the urban areas, falling to 13 on Sunday, then back to 14 on Monday.

Basahin ang detalye!

A northeast monsoon also brought chilly weather to Hong Kong today, with the barometer dipping to 16 degrees Celsius in urban areas, which was two to three degrees lower than in previous days, and the lowest so far this winter.

The Observatory said the weather will moderate gradually in the next couple of days, before becoming noticeably cooler on Saturday.

Tonight, it will be mainly cloudy with isolated rain patches.  Tomorrow morning will be cool, with the minimum temperature expected to hover around 17 degrees in the city, and slightly cooler in the New Territories.

The day will be sunny, with temperatures hitting a pleasant 21 degrees. Moderate winds are expected, which may become strong at times, especially offshore and on higher grounds.

An An and Ke Ke appear at Ocean Park for first time

Enthusiastic visitors vie try to be the first to take a photo of the newest additions to Ocean Park

Large crowds of people visited Ocean  Park today, to be among the first to have a glimpse at  An An and Ke Ke, the two giant pandas gifted by Beijing to Hong Kong.

Many of those who turned up wore panda accessories or carried panda toys, and were all excited to line up for the 15-minute viewing period allowed for each group of guests.

Those who were the first to queue up said they made sure to wake up early to see the pandas immediately. Queuing started at 9am for the theme park’s 10am opening.

PINDUTIN DITO

Among the early visitors were some non-locals who were as enthusiastic to view the giant pandas which are endemic to China and are categorized  as “vulnerable” species.

An An, a male; and Ke Ke, female, joined four other pandas in Ocean Park when they arrived in Hong Kong last Sept 26.

Female Ying Ying and male Le Le became parents of twin cubs “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother” in August.  Ocean Park says the new panda twins will greet the public in the first quarter of next year.

Basahin ang detalye!

Yesterday, Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee announced that the two new pandas will retain the name given them in Beijing, despite a naming competition which drew more than 22,600 entries.

Pong, who presided at a pre-launch event attended by VIPs yesterday said the adjudicators in the naming competition unanimously decided that retaining An An and Ke Ke was “appropriate” given their positive implications.

According to the official, “An An” denotes a peaceful and stable future for Hong Kong while “Ke Ke” suggests unlimited possibilities for the city. Together, the two names means  “encore” in Chinese, suggesting a series of auspicious things that will come one after another.

The 2,500 panda sculptures were put on display at Avenue of Stars in TST

Meanwhile the Pandas on Parade opened at the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday, and continued until today, Dec. 8.

The 2,500 panda sculptures were joined by a life-size mascot in entertaining thousands of visitors who went to see them throughout the day.

The display will pop up in various locations in Hong Kong until December 26, as a tribute to the global panda population, which has now exceeded  2,500.

Catch them at these places on these dates:  Dec 14-15 from 11am to 5pm at Ngong Ping 360 cable car;  Dec 21-22 from 11am to 5pm at Ocean Park, and Dec 25-26 from 11 am to 8pm at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Western District.

 

27 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work operations

 

Immigration agents lead away some of  the men arrested during the 4-day sweep

Another 27 individuals, 20 of them suspected illegal workers, have been arrested in the latest anti-illegal work operations of the Immigration Department and HK Police.

The rest included three overstayers and four suspected employers.

Raids carried out from Dec 2 to 5, and targeting  over 260 locations across Hong Kong, led to the arrests.

PINDUTIN DITO

In the first wave of arrests on 18 premises, including massage parlours and restaurants, nine suspected illegal workers and two employers were arrested.

The workers comprised four men and five women, aged 25 to 62, one of whom was found in possession of a forged HK ID card. One man aged 44 and a woman aged 45 were also arrested on suspicion of being their employers.

In a separate operation, 244 target locations in Central and New Territories North were targeted. Eleven suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and four women, aged 28 to 62. One man and one woman, aged 41 and 68, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

Two overstayers, a male aged 26 and a female aged 36 were also detained.

Immigration repeated the warning that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, which carries the maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and $50,000 fine. The jail term can go up to three years if the arrested person is an overstayer, illegal immigrant or asylum seeker.

Those found in possession of fake HKID cards can be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail, and fined $100,000.

Employers of illegal workers face the most severe penalty of up to $500,000 in fine, and 10 years in prison.

Free Chinese medicine treatments highlight festival

Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee (second right), learning about the dedicated website Digital Herbarium for Chinese Medicines established by the Department of Health.

Free consultation and treatment for various ailments will be are among the features of the First Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Culture Festival that launched today.

These clinics are among the over 200 promotional activities to be jointly held across Hong Kong until February next year by the Health Bureau (HHB), together with 80 CM sector organizations and community partners 

The festival was kicked off in ceremonies held at the Central Market, led by the acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, and the Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development, Dr Vincent Chung

PINDUTIN DITO

Dr Lee said, “we have specifically organized the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Culture Festival to enable citizens to get first-hand experience through diverse activities in various forms in these three months, thus enhancing their interest and understanding on wisdom and concepts of CM for fostering CM inheritance and development."

She noted the two advances for CM, namely the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and release of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint at the end of next year.

 “The CM in Hong Kong has been experiencing a steady development over the past two decades or so, with the application of pure traditional CM theories and methods for prevention and treatment of diseases being a distinctive advantage,” she added.

Basahin ang detalye!

The festival activities also include thematic talks as well as exchange forums, workshops and seminars for members of the public and various sectors. A number of community organisations will also hold experiential activities, such as guided tours led by professional docents to explore herbal plants in the countryside where participants can learn about Chinese herbal medicine while enjoying nature.

To foster the cultural inheritance of CM, the Festival also has in place activities targeting students, such as CM identification workshops and CM planting activities, to cultivate the younger generation's interest in traditional medicine.

Exhibitions and interactive booths are also open at the Central Market today for the public to learn more about the CM culture, which include a CM constitution identification booth, a simulated CM clinic with CM tools and dress-up for photo-taking, information panels on health maintenance during winter and the CMHHK model exhibition and games. CM thematic talks covering topics such as globalisation of CM, the role of CM in primary healthcare, CM and mental health, interesting science of CM as well as experience of free CM consultations in different regions are also arranged for members of the public and various sectors.

According to the schedule released by organizers (https://www.hkcmfest.gov.hk/en/about), some of these consultations will be open to all while others will be aimed at specific sectors, such as the elderly or residents of the communities where the clinics will be held.

Here’s a sample of events from the schedule published in the event website :

Free Chinese medicine clinic, sponsored by Ancient and Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Famous Academic Research Association Co., Ltd.

December 11, 10am-5pm.  Room 2008, Floor 20, Tower 1, New City Central Plaza, 138 Rural Affairs Road, Sha Tin.

Open to Anyone (elderly preferred). Registration: Whatsapp: 2399 7929

Hiking in mountains to identify medicine, sponsored by Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Society Limited

December 14, 09:00-12:00. Round trip from Pak Tam in Sai Kung to Bradbury Camp in Chek Keng

Open to Students or citizens who are interested in Chinese herbal plants

Free Chinese medicine clinic service, sponsored by Hong Kong Listed Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association

December 15, 10:00-12:00 at No. CT1, G/F, Yiu Yat House, Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

Open to Residents of Tin Yiu, Tin Shui Wai. Contact information: https://www.facebook.com/stcalvin/?locale=zh_HK

Registration:  5100 0994

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service - Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Tai Po District)

December 20 and 23, 2024 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30), December 21, 2024 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-16:00) , December 28, 30 and 31 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30), January 7, 8 and 9, 2025 (08:30-13:00, 14 :00-18:30), January 16, 17 and 18, 2025 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30)

Place: G/F, Staff Center, Block J, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, 11 Chun On Road, Tai Po, New Territories

Registration: Tel: 2663 0004

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by Christian Family Service Center—Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Kwun Tong District)

December 20, 21 and 23, 2024 (the ninth day of the lunar month), December 28, 30 and 31 (the ninth day of the lunar month), January 7, 8 and 9, 2025 (the third day of the ninth lunar month), 2025 January 16, 17 and 18 (enhanced). Main days: 08:30-17:30, Moxibustion days: 09:30-17:00

Place: Kwun Tong District Chinese Medicine Clinic (4/F, Ngau Tau Kok Racing Clinic, 60 Ting On Street, Ngau Tau Kok)

Registration: Tel 3107 4113;

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center of the University of Hong Kong (Eastern District)

December 21, 2024, December 30, 2024, January 8, 2025, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm West Wing, 4th Floor, Basement, Specialty Outpatient Clinic, Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital, Eastern District, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong

Registration: 3197 2000

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 and above, sponsored by Yan Oi Tong-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Tuen Mun District)

December 21, 2024, December 30, 2024, January 8, 2025, January 17, 2025: 08:30am-5:00pm

5/F, Yan Oi Branch Clinic, 6 Tuen Lee Street, Tuen Mun

Registration: by phone 2430 1309 or in person

Website: https://cums.yot.org.hk/

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association-Hong Kong University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Southern District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced):  (Monday to Friday) 09:00-20:00, (Saturday) 09:00-17:00

2nd Floor, 10 Reservoir Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

To register, visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2580 8158) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Kowloon City District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Friday 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1pm, 2:00-05:00pm

Room 401-412, Po Man House, Oi Man Estate, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2193 7000) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

                                                          

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Yau Tsim Mong District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Friday 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1pm, 2:00-05:00pm

9/F, Block R, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Jordan, Kowloon

object

Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2618 7200) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Yuen Long District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Saturday 9:00am -1:00pm; 2:00-7:00pm

Place: 3/F, Yung Fung Shu Health Centre, 26 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long, New Territories

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2478 5769) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Shatin District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced) Monday to Saturday 9:00am -1:00pm; 2:00-7:00pm

Place: G/F, Shatin (Tai Wai) Clinic, 2 Man Lai Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2479 2126) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

                               

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Haven of Hope Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Sai ​​Kung District)

December 21 (9:30am-1:00pm, 2:30-4:30pm) December 30, 2024 and January 8, 2025 (9:30am-1:00pm, 2:30-6:30pm) Place

6/F, Ambulatory Medical Building, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

Registration; Call 2701-1020 to make an appointment or visit the Chinese medicine clinic to make an appointment in person

Accused illegal recruiter Mabatid fails in cyberlibel bid against The SUN editor

 

Mandap with her lawyers from FLAG, Atty Ed Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes, 
submitted a hefty counter-affidavit, which led to the 3 cyberlibel cases being junked

The baseless persecution is over. A Cebu City judge has quashed three cyberlibel cases filed by PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. founder Prisca Nina Mabatid against The SUN editor and lawyer Daisy CL Mandap for lack of probable cause.

The decision by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon B. Daomilas, Jr. was promulgated on November 11, on the same day the Department of Justice in Manila indicted Mabatid, her partner Russ Mark Gamallo and four others, for large-scale illegal recruitment and multiple counts of estafa. (Find the story here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/search?q=Mabatid+large+scale+illegal+recruitment)

Judge Daomilas’s decision ended Mabatid’s attempt to silence The SUN in reporting about numerous complaints filed against her by Filipinos in Hong Kong and in the Philippines, over her group’s allegedly fraudulent offer of work-study visas to Canada.

Judge Daomilas' decision ends Mabatid's libel claims against Mandap

Reacting to the dismissal of the cases, Mabatid committed yet another flagrant disregard for the law when she made the baseless and malicious claim in a public Facebook post on December 4 that The SUN is “notorious for extorting money” and has persistently spread falsehoods against her since 2023.

In truth, The SUN Hong Kong has maintained a spotless record in the 29 years that it has been in circulation.  Mandap has even received two prestigious awards attesting to her exemplary work for the Filipino community in Hong Kong:  a Hong Kong Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service in 2011, and a Distinguished Alumna in Public Service from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2014.

In contrast, Mabatid has been publicly censured in two recent cases, one where she was held administratively liable for ordering City Hall staff to sell poultry amid the pandemic, and the second was a Supreme Court judgment allowing the nullity of her marriage on the ground of her repeated infidelity. Links below: 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/cebu/seares-ex-councilor-ni%C3%B1a-mabatid-found-guilty

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/234279.pdf

PINDUTIN DITO

Mabatid also insisted, in defiance of Judge Daomilas’ ruling and a lack of understanding of the country’ judicial process, that Mandap is still facing cyberlibel charges and has three live warrants of arrest issued against her.

In truth, Mabatid’s only cause of action now is to go to the Court of Appeals on certiorari to assail the judge’s decision - on shaky ground.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK on Feb 19, 2023 was well-publicized

Judge Daomila’s decision came just over a month after Cebu City prosecutors, on reinvestigation, recommended on October 10, 2024, the dismissal of the cyberlibel complaints filed by Mabatid against Mandap in July 2023, for lack of probable cause.

The complaints stemmed from three articles published in The SUN about a group of overseas Filipino workers demanding a refund of the Php132,000 they each paid Mabatid and her companies, PCVC/Opportunities Abroad for the student visas promised them that never materialized.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK was captured live on video, and posted on YouTube

The first article dealt with a confrontation between the claimants and Mabatid, witnessed by Hong Kong police officers; the second on Mabatid’s failure to show up as promised at the Philippine Consulate to refund their money; and the third was over calls by Unifil-Migrante to have Mabatid charged for large-scaled illegal recruitment and money laundering.

After the HK complaints, Migrante Intl staged a protest against Mabatid's alleged
 illegal recruitment and fraud across the country which led to DOJ to investigate

Assistant City Prosecutor Cesar C. Gariando who recommended the dismissal of all three charges, noted that “while the complainant is claiming that the subject articles are false, not a single piece of evidence was adduced by her in support thereof.”

Fiscal Gariando added, “On the other hand, respondent Mandap adduced voluminous evidence (annexes 7  to 41) in support of her defense that the news articles are not defamatory against the complainant but deal only with the complaints filed by OFWs working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong that were reported to the government.”

Fiscal Gariando says Mabatid failed to produce a single evidence to support her claim

“With the amount of evidence adduced by respondent Mandap, it cannot be concluded that the subject articles were mere unsubstantiated attacks on the complainant as what the previous investigating prosecutor found in the assailed Joint Resolution. Rather, the subject articles can be considered fair commentaries on matters of public interest, which are likewise privileged as the news articles talk about the plight of concerned OFWs being scammed while abroad,” continued the prosecutor.

Basahin ang detalye!

Judge Daomilas ordered a reinvestigation and quashed the warrants of arrest on July 16, 2024 at the request of Mandap, a permanent resident of Hong Kong who said she never received a copy of the complaints which were purportedly sent to her address in Quezon City. 

She became aware of the case only when she went to the Philippines for a visit in March 2024, and received a letter from the Cebu City prosecutors informing her of a resolution dated October 24, 2023 indicting her for three counts of cyberlibel, had been promulgated.

Mandap (with her back turned) is shown talking to Mabatid in HK on June 18, 2023
after complainants called the police for help in demanding a refund 

On March 6, 2024, Mandap file a motion for reinvestigation and another for a stay of proceedings on the ground of lack of due process. These were then followed up in court by her lawyers from Free Legal Assistance Group, Atty Edmund Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes.

In her counter-affidavit, Mandap refuted all of Mabatid’s claims, including the allegation that the articles were politically motivated. She said she never met Mabatid until June 18, 2023, when was asked by the Hong Kong complaints to witness their attempt to ask for a refund of the money they paid for the study-work visa that did not materialize  

Mandap showed proof that several other media publications in Hong Kong had written about the same complaints made by some 50 Filipino migrant workers against Mabatid, which were cited in The SUN articles. (Sample of a news article from Dimsum Daily in HK i here: https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/at-least-50-filipino-domestic-helpers-in-hong-kong-allegedly-scammed-by-pinoycare-visa-centre-in-the-philippines/)

Screen shot of the Dimsum Daily article

In addition, she attached a copy of Senate Resolution No.905 authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo, directing the appropriate Senate Committee to Conduct an Inquiry in Aid of Legislation on the Alleged Illegal Practices of PinoyCare Visa Center and Other Recruitment Agencies Exploiting the Student Visa-To Work Permit Pathway. (See the full text here: https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4329239383!.pdf )

A copy of the Subpoena Ad Testificandum issued to Prisca Nina Mabatid, Founder of PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. to respond to the allegations at a hearing on February 13, 2024 by the Senate Committeeon Migrant Workers, was also attached to Mandap's pleadings.

Subpoena issued to Mabatid to appear at Senate Committee hearing

Mandap also presented video recordings, sworn statements by the OFW-complainants and their case officer at the Mission for Migrant Workers, a letter from the Hong Kong Police and a certificate from the Consulate, to belie Mabatid’s claim that she never undertook any recruitment seminar in Hong Kong.

HK complainants come face to face with Mabatid outside the orientation venue in June 2023

In her complaint, Mabatid claimed she was in Hong Kong to celebrate Father's Day with her family, and just happened to be at the venue where PCVC-Opportunities Abroad was holding an orientation seminar on June 18, 2023 because she was supposed to meet a friend there. She said she merely helped the police with their inquiries, which lasted about three hours, being a good citizen.

Mabatid claims she is not connected with PCVC and was in HK only to celebrate Father's Day

But this was countered by Mandap by attaching to her counter-affidavit voluminous documents belying Mabatid's claim. 

Among the documents she submitted were Securities and Exchange Commission certificates issued to PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. and Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services, Inc. which clearly showed Mabatid’s connections to both.

PCVC registration shows Mabatid is the majority stockholder in the company

The PCVC certificate issued on May 24, 2011 shows her as its founder, major stockholder and chief executive officer. The one issued to OAVPS on March 13, 2023 (which was nearly a month after Mabatid and her group collected money from the OFW complainants in HK)  shows the CEO as her former partner, Clark Jueco, and her relatives including her mother, as incorporators.

Curiously, in the DOJ Resolution indicting Mabatid and five of her associates, Gamallo was cited as claiming to be its CEO and President, and not their co-accused, Jueco. Gamallo and their three other co-accused , Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor Caingles and Noverna “Bernie”  Uy, also claimed to be the incorporators of OAVPS and not Mabatid’s mother and three other relatives.

OAVPSI certificate showing the real incorporators were mostly Mabatid's close relatives

Aside from dismissing the complaints against her, Mandap asked the City Prosecutor to immediately initiate an investigation into the “perjurious statements” made my Mabatid in her three sworn statements to support her complaints for cyberlibel.

Apparently alarmed by the order to reinvestigate the case, Gamallo, acting for OAVPS, made a last-ditch bid to file another complaint for cyberlibel against Mandap. 

Basahin ang detalye!

However, the complaint was summarily dismissed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rodulph Joseph Val J. Carrillo on October 9, 2024, who ruled that there was no probable cause to file the case in court. SACP Carrillo said the article Gamallo had complained of was “mainly a narration of facts and what remarks are made are based on the narration.”

Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Luisa G. Ratilla approved the recommendation dismissing the complaint on October 24.

Opportunities Abroad flyer showing its offer of study & work visa in Canada in 3 months

In recommending for dismissal of the main cases filed by Mabatid, Fiscal Gariando said: “it is a defense to an action for libel that the words complained of are a fair comment on a matter of public interest. The reason for this is that the freedom of speech is not only one of the constitutional rights of a person but it is also absolutely essential to the democratic rules under the aegis of which our libel law was evolved… Hence, the jealous vigilance with which the free play of open criticism upon all matters of public interest is safeguarded.”

The Department of Migrant Workers has issued warnings against PCVC

The fiscal recommended not just the dismissal of the complaints against Mandap, but also of the three informations filed with the court dated Oct 24, 2023, indicting her for cyberlibel.

His recommendation was submitted for approval by SACP Carrillo and affirmed by DCP Ratilla. In less than a month, Judge Daomilas concurred in their findings and ordered all the cases dismissed.