What's on where?

The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on the following dates:
Feb 15-18  (Thursday to Sunday): Chinese New Year
Mar 29-31 (Thursday to Saturday): Holy Week
There will be no official business transactions at the Consulate and POLO on these dates.
In case of emergency, please call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO); 6345 9324 (OWWA)

HK Education Fair
Visit the HKTDC Education and Careers Expo on Feb 1-4 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. The Philippine booth is at 1E-D07. Representatives from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University will be there. Admission is free! Talk: Feb.4, 11:30-11:50am: Talk by UP Prof. Wendell Capili

Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Classes
Registration will be on Feb. 3 and 10 (Saturday class)
and Feb. 4 and 11 (Sunday class) MERC, 12/F, Euro Trade Centre, 21-23 Des Voeux Rd Central. Classes will start on Mar 3 (Saturday) and Mar 4 (Sunday)
For Saturday class, please contact:
Analyn Regulacion, Mobile: +852 65009288; Becky Sta. Maria, Message only:  Whatsapp/Viber +852 97622749/  56080713. For Sunday Class, please contact: Ma. Wilma Padura, Mobile: +852 9386 2514, Andi Allado Mendoza, Mobile: +852 56139395
For more info, please check: https://wimler.blogspot.com/2018/01/wimler-hk-lse-hk-alumni-association.html

2018 1st Flea Market
Feb. 4 (Sunday), 10am-4pm, GardenPlus events venue, Wanchai Sports Ground. Organized by: GardenPlus
Event will feature a coupon garden sale, live music, games and programs. Food and drinks will be served, too. Table prices:  Personal stuff- $200 or 2 for $300; Commercial stuff-$500 or 2 frr $800; For more information, call Henny at 6753 5567

Urban Lunar New Year lantern carnival
Mar 1, 2018, 7:30pm-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30pm-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsimshatsui.
New Territories West LNY lantern carnival
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Tung Chung North Park, Lantau Island.
New Territories East LNY lantern carnival
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 4, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tseung Kwan O

Sustainable Sunday Couture (from Elpie Malicsi) 
Mar 4-14, PCG
Mar 18- April 1, Main Library, University of HK
The exhibition will showcase costumes made of recycled materials that were designed by  Elpie A. Malicsi, a Filipino domestic worker based in HK. For information, contact Dr. Julie Ham at iham@hku.hk

Caritas Language Courses for EMs
Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project has received sponsorship from the Home Affairs Department to run language courses for ethnic minority residents in HK. Enquiries: 2147-5988.
Sunday Advance Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
   Period : 8 April - 22 July 2018 (16 lessons in total)
   Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
   Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
   Fee     : $100 each,, including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
   Saturday Basic Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
   Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
   Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
   Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
   Fee     : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
Saturday Intermediate English: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
   Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
   Time   : 14:30 - 17:30 (Total 50 hours)
   Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
   Fee     : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
 
For Tinikling Lovers
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno at 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong
Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

Masuwerte ka ba sa Pebrero?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Pag-ukulan ng pansin ang kulturang iyong pinanggalingan. Upang gumanda ang porma, gawing regular ang pag-eehersisyo o paglalaro ng sports. Kung gusto mong mag-invest, mamuhunan sa real estate. Mahihirapan kang ayusin ang problema sa taong malalapit sa iyo. Sumulat sa dating kaibigan. Lucky numbers: 12, 18, 21 at 38.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Dahil sa tigas ng loob mo, magkakaproblema ang pagsasama. Sa trabaho, malulusutan mo rin ang hirap at balakid na matagal nang nagpapabagal sa iyo. Kung hihingi ng dagdag-sweldo, ibibigay ito. Makakaranas ng pananakit at panginginig ng katawan, kaya kumain ng pagkain na mataas sa magnesium gaya ng beans, nuts, brown rice at berde at madahong gulay. Gaganda ang pananalapi kung matututo sa mga pagkakamali; iwasang sumugal sa mga bagay na hindi ka sigurado. Lucky numbers: 5, 11, 27, 33 at 40.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Mag-ingat sa labis na nerbiyos, mag-hinay hinay at kumain ng pagkaing sagana sa vitamin B1. Magulo ang love life ngayon, mag-ingat at baka tuluyang masira ang relasyon. Basahing mabuti ang mga dokumento bago pirmahan upang maiwasan ang malaking pagkakamali. Maayos ang samahan sa pamilya dahil sa iyong magandang pakikitungo, sigla at pagiging positibo, pero iwasang ipilit ang mga ideya mo sa mga kaanak. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 28 at 41.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Upang magtagumpay sa iyong gawain o personal na proyekto, gawin lang ang talagang kailangan at magpakita ng sipag at tiyaga. Kung nahihirapan kang mahanap ang totoong kaibigan o katuwang, ito ay dahil masyadong mataas ang iyong pamantayan. Madali kang magtampo nang dahil lang sa kaunting pagtatalo sa mga kasamahan. Mahihirapan ang lahat na kausapin ka, pero ikaw lang din ang talo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Lucky numbers: 20, 25. 31 at 42.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Sa linggong ito, iwasan ang transaksyon sa lupa o bahay, o ang makipag-ayos sa isang legal na usapin. Mag-ingat sa mga biglaang galaw, lalo na sa loob ng pamamahay, at baka masaktan. Kung nagsasawa na sa pang-araw araw na gawain, paganahin ang imahinasyon upang magkaroon ng bagong pananaw. Oras na upang alisin o bawasan ang yabang o bilib sa sarili upang mapaganda ang kalidad ng trabaho. Tahimik ang love life, walang away pero kulang din sa init kaya gusto mong sumubok ng bagong bagay, pero hindi tiyak kung papayag ang kapartner mo. Lucky numbers: 16, 29, 30 at 36.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Mag-relax kasama ang mahal mo at lalo kang mapapamahal dito. Mag-ingat: hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto kaya busisiing mabuti ang mga alok sa iyo. Mag-ingat din sa pagtaas ng presyon ng dugo! Sa trabaho, kailangan mong patunayan ang iyong husay at siguradong maganda ang kapalit nito. Huwag mag-atubiling subukan ang iyong mga orihinal na ideya. Lucky numbers: 7, 26, 35 at 40.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
May alingasngas na namamagitan sa inyo ng kapitbahay o kapamilya; huwag hayaang lumaki ang gulo. Mahihirapan kang kontrolin ang pabigla-bigla mong pagdedesisyon na nakakasama sa iyong trabaho. Mahaharap ka sa masakit na pagtatanong, na makabubuti naman sa iyong isipan at puso. Pag-aralang mabuti ang pinansyal na kalagayan dahil baka nagkamali ka ng kalkula. Baka mas kailangan mo pang magtipid ng husto. Lucky numbers: 16, 23, 31 at 45.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Mag-ingat, babalik ang labis na selos na maaaring magresulta sa malaking pagkasira. Tanggapin ang lahat ng imbitasyon upang magkaroon ng bagong ideya at lumawak ang pananaw. Mag-ingat sa shellfish, alkohol o sa pagkaing hindi nakasanayan na baka magdulot ng pamamaga ng mukha at pamamantal. Sa tulong ng kamag-anak ay maaayos mo ang lahat. Pagdating sa pamilya, huwag ipikit ang mata sa problema; harapin ito bago pa lumala. Bantayan maigi ang mga anak. Lucky numbers: 15, 24, 32 at 46.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Magiging abala ka sa trabaho at social life, pero baka makaligtaan mo ang mahal sa buhay. Para maiwasan ang pananakit ng kalamnan, mag-ingat sa paglalaro ng sport o pabigla-biglang kilos. Kailangang ikaw ang lumapit at makipagkilala kung gusto mong magkaroon ng bago at mabuting kaibigan. Malakas ang loob mong sumugal sa sari-saring transaksyon, mag-ingat at bawasan ang tapang mo sa pakikipagsapalaran. Lucky numbers: 13, 22, 37 at 43.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
Lahat ng nirereklamo mo ay nangyayari sa lahat! Subukang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan upang makalimutan ang maliliit na personal na problema. Mag-ingat na mabaon sa utang! Ang pananakit ng lalamunan ay maaring dulot ng allergy. Maaayos din ang ilang problema sa pagsasama at mas magiging masaya pang lalo ito. Mababawasan din ang pag-aaalala at nerbiyos na nararanasan. Lucky numbers: 6, 19, 27, at 41.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
Makakapagtrabaho ka ngayon ng maayos at tahimik. Magagamit mo ang koneksyon at impluwensya upang umangat sa trabaho o propesyon. Kumain ng marami sa agahan upang gumana ng husto ang isip. Ayusing mabuti ang pananalapi. Magulo ang sitwasyon sa tahanan dahil wala kayong napapagkasunduan sa lahat ng bagay. Huwag hayaang lumala ang problema. Lucky numbers: 5, 18, 26 at 31.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Napapanahon na upang makipag-ugnayang muli sa mga taong matagal ka nang walang balita. Sa trabaho, hindi maiiwasan ang pagbabago. Huwag mag-alala dahil madali at maayos kang makakapag-adjust. Mababawasan ang problema sa kalusugan, mawawala nang kusa ang allergy mo. Bibigyan mo ng importansya ngayon ang iyong love life, at babalik ang sigla sa buhay. Lucky numbers: 17, 23, 35 at 42.

DCG tells teachers: challenge yourselves intellectuallyDCG tells teachers: challenge yourselves intellectually

By Daisy CL Mandap

Think. Read. Challenge yourself. Question your existence.

These were among the words of wisdom imparted by Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza to a group of Filipino teachers in Hong Kong who joined the 2018 news writing seminar conducted by The SUN at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai on Jan. 21.

“We have to continue challenging ourselves intellectually,” DCG Atienza told the 19 teachers and about 10 other foreign domestic workers who joined the seminar. “In the same way that we can maintain our youthful vigor, ganoon din dapat ang mind natin. We also have to exercise our minds.”

Organizer Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong is joined by The SUN Editor Daisy Catherine L. Mandap, DCG Roderico Atienza and The SUN Publisher Leo A. Deocadiz.

Atienza threw scorn at “nosebleed,” the popular Filipino expression used to denote one’s failure to understand what is being said because it’s in English, saying “let’s avoid (saying) that. That’s because to him, this denotes that someone does not want to be challenged intellectually, that it is better to dumb down the conversation.

“There’s nothing wrong with being an intellectual, huwag lang tayong maging snob,” he said.

Critical thinking, as well as reading, could help open one’s mind to new ideas.

“Before you get into the writing, yung style and everything, get into the thinking (part) first,” he said.

Atienza also shared his experiences as a journalist for five years prior to joining the civil service. Two of those were spent in the Philippines, and three in Japan, where he was hired because of his fluency in both the English and Japanese languages.

The seminar was broken down into three parts, with editor Daisy CL Mandap giving basic lessons on news writing, and how being able to write could help anyone, whatever profession they’re in.

The next part, conducted by associate editor Vir B. Lumicao, focused on news gathering techniques and basic lessons on grammar.

The third part, handled by publisher Leo A. Deocadiz, started off with a video of an actual press conference given by White House doctors on President Donald Trump’s recent medical check-up. The participants were then told to write a “lead” or the first paragraph of a news story, distilling the essential information given out in the presser.

The participants were then encouraged to send stories to The SUN so they will have a better understanding of the process involved in writing the news.

Also at the seminar were The SUN’s contributors, who shared their experiences on how writing has helped them understand issues affecting migrant domestic workers, and given them the courage to express themselves and help others.

The session ended with Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong, handing over a contribution from participants for the food and other expenses for the seminar, which The SUN in turn said will be donated to the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

Pinay na namatay sa banyo, inuwi na

Ni Marites Palma

Naiuwi na ang bangkay ni Erlinda Diego Cabulong, 45, na namatay pagkatapos makitang nakahandusay sa banyo ng kanyang amo noong ika-9 ng Enero.

Nagkaroon ng public viewing ng kanyang mga labi sa Universal Funeral Homes sa Hunghom noong ika-24 ng Enero, bago ito isinakay pauwi sa Maynila kinabukasan sa Philippine Airlines flight PR 301.

Binawian ng buhay si Cabulong sa Tuen Mun hospital dalawang oras pagkatapos siyang itakbo doon ng kanyang amo.

Naulila niya ang kanyang asawa at dalawang anak na lalaki na nakatira sa Purok 4, Villa Santiago, Aglipay, Quirino.

Ayon sa kanyang kapatid na si Mercedes Jasmin Diego, wala pang resulta ang isinagawang pagsusuri para malaman ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng kanyang nakababatang kapatid. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay wala naman itong sakit na hypertension.

“Napakasakit ang biglaan niyang pagkawala, wala man siyang senyales na mawawala na siya dahil nakagroup chat at nakavideo call pa ang mga anak at apo noong gabi bago siya mamatay, kaya di namin matanggap na wala na siya” ani Diego. Aakuin daw ng amo ang gagastusin para sa pag-uwi ng mga labi ni Cabulong ngunit hanggang Manila lamang. Ang pamilya nila ang sasagot sa pagpapauwi dito hanggang Quirino.

Ang amo na si Josephine Ngan ang unang nagbalita na nakitang walang malay si Cabulong sa loob ng banyo ng kanilang bahay sa Tuen Mun. Umapela ito sa pamamagitan ng Facebook na tawagan siya ng kapatid ng kasambahay agad-agad. Naka-lock daw kasi ang telepono ng yumao kaya hindi nila alam kung sino ang tatawagan.

Aray ko po!

Namimilipit sa sakit si Violy, Ilokana at 50 taong gulang, nang dalhin siya sa Ruttonjee Hospital sa Wanchai noong Enero 8. Pagbaba niya kasi mula sa higaan niyang mataas ay nasabit ang kanyang tuhod sa hagdanan nito, at nasugat.

Kinailangan siyang operahan dahil sa dugong namuo sa kanyang tuhod. Muli ay matinding sakit ang naramdaman niya dahil nababanat ang balat sa kanyang sugat kada hakbang niya. Agad naman siyang pinauwi pagkatapos ng operasyon, at pagkalipas ng ilang araw ay pinabalik para sa therapy.

Pero nang tingnan ng doktor ang kanyang tuhod ay nakita nitong may natira pang dugo sa sugat, kaya kinailangan niyang maoperahan muli. Magkahalong takot at sama ng loob ang naramdaman ni Violy nang muli siyang operahan.

Mabuti na lang at umayos na ang kanyang pakiramdam pagkatapos nito, at dahil binigyan siya ng isang linggong pahinga ng doktor. Alalang-alala naman ang kanyang amo, at lagi siyang sinasabihan na magpahinga.

Alam ni Violy na aksidente ang nangyari, pero tuwing binabalik-balikan niya ang pangyayari, naiisip din niya na dapat ay naging mas maingat siya. Kagigising lang niya kasi noon at marahil ay aantok-antok pa nang bumaba sa hagdanan ng kanyang kama kaya sumabit ang kanyang tuhod.

Ang payo niya, “huwag agad babangon at bababa mula sa higaan, mababa man o mataas, dahil madaling mawalan ng balanse at masabit o matumba”. Mag-inat inat daw muna at siguradong gising na ang diwa bago tumayo at nang malayo sa disgrasya. – George Manalansan

Natalo ang bruha

Galak na galak si Arlene, 35 at Ilokana, nang kumbinsihin siya ng dating among Indian na bumalik sa kanila, kapalit ng $6,000 na suweldo. Nilayasan ni Arlene ang dating amo pagkatapos ng limang taon na paninilbihan dahil sa walang kaparis na pasakit na dinanas niya sa malditang asawa nito.

Siya lang ang tumagal ng dalawang kontrata sa 14 na naging katulong ng among Indian dahil sa kasungitan ng asawa nito.

Maraming dinanas na pasakit si Arlene sa among demonyita. Minsan, nang hindi masunod ang iniutos nito sa kanya ay maghapon siyang hindi pinakain. Ilang beses na din siyang pinalayas, at pinagtatapon ang mga gamit niya sa labas ng pinto.

Napakiusapan lang siya ng among lalaki ang mga anak nito kaya hindi siya umalis.

Ngunit may sukdulan din ang kanyang pagtitiis. Sa ikalimang taon ay tinotohanan niya ang pag-alis, kahit kinailangang umuwi muna siya dahil sa pag-break niya ng kanyang kontrata.

Isang buwan pa lang siyang nakakabalik at naninilbihang muli nang tawagan siya ng dating amo, at hinimok na bumalik sa kanila. Nangako ito na sila na ng kanyang mga anak ang kakastigo sa salbaheng asawa.

Dala sa pangangailangan ay kinausap ni Arlene ang bagong amo at sinabi dito ang alok sa kanya na malaking suweldo. Ayon sa bagong amo, wala itong magagawa kundi pakawalan siya dahil hindi nito kayang tapatan ang alok na suweldo.

Nang iparating niya ang ang pagsang-ayon sa alok ng among Indian ay agad siyang sinundo nito sakay ng kotse, at binayaran ang isang buwang suweldo kapalit ng pasabi sa iniwanang amo. Agad ding inasikaso ang muli niyang pagpirma ng kontrata sa kanila.

Ngayon, ayon kay Arlene ay hitsurang bruha pa rin ang kanyang among babae ngunit bawal nang magsungit dahil ang asawa at mga anak na niya ang makakalaban. Tuwang tuwa naman ni Arlene dahil wala nang kontrabida sa buhay niya, malaki pa ng di hamak sa dati ang suweldo niya. – George Manalansan

Employer cleared, DH gets suspended sentence on illegal work

A Hong Kong employer has been acquitted by the Shatin Court of conspiracy to breach immigration rules while her Filipina helper has been given a three-month jail sentence suspended for three years.

The two cases had been tried separately in Shatin, but the court had delayed the sentencing of Cecelia Guevarra until Feb 5 pending the outcome of the employer’s trial.

Cecelia Guevarra was found guilty

The employer, May Lui, was cleared of two counts of “conspiracy to breach of condition of stay” filed against her by prosecutors from the Immigration Department.

Lui hugged relatives and broke into tears after Magistrate Winnie Lau exonerated her because the prosecutors were not able to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Guevarra, Lui’s domestic helper for eight years, pleaded guilty in June 7 to two counts of “breach of condition of stay” and “making false representation to an immigration officer lawfully acting …in the execution of Part III of the Immigration Ordinance”.

She faced two more charges of breach of condition of stay and another of making a false statement but these were withdrawn later by the prosecution.

The prosecution cited as basis for the two conspiracy charges the latest two work contracts that Lui and the Filipina had signed, which stated the maid was to work in her employers’ house at all times.

Guevarra was arrested on May 8, 2016 while she was inside her employer’s office in Central. The case dragged on for several months as the Immigration officers also filed a complaint against her employer and wooed the Filipina to testify against Lui.

In her reason for verdict, Magistrate Lau said that defendant Lui elected not to give evidence and, so, it was the prosecution’s responsibility to justify its case and prove she was guilty of the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

 

Employer May Lui walks free from the same case.

The prosecution presented Guevarra and a local woman who was a former office staff of Lui as its witnesses.

Lau said Guevarra testified she worked in Lui’s Central office for one and a half hours three times a week between June 2015 and Dec 2015. She said she had spent 30% to 40% of her time working in the office during that period.

The helper also admitted she owed Lui $20,000 and had not yet repaid it.                              

The magistrate said Guevarra’s evidence was contradicted by the second witness, who said Lui moved to her Central office only in November 2015.

Lau said that piece of evidence already contradicted Guevarra’s claim that her employer moved to Central on Feb 6, 2016.

“I’m not satisfied that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty. Defendant, I acquit you of both charges,” Lau declared.

On Feb 5, the prosecutor told Magistrate Lam Tsz-kan that Guevarra pleaded guilty to the charges eight months ago and helped the prosecution investigate and build a case against Lui.

Lam noted the help Guevarra extended in the investigation of Lui and said he accepted that the maid had followed orders to perform illegal work.

“I’ve considered the facts of the case and accepted the mitigation that you have a clear record and was just following orders,” the magistrate said.

He sentenced Guevarra to 6 weeks in jail for each of the two breach of condition charges and 3 months for making false representation to an immigration officer.

Guevarra told The SUN she was happy with the sentence but had to go to Immigration on Feb 6 and find out whether she could look again for an employer.

Filcom leaders hit reported plan to recall Labatt dela Torre

Labatt dela Torre is noted for cracking down on errant recruiters

By Daisy CL Mandap

Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong are up in arms over a reported move to have Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre recalled and replaced by the Department of Labor and Employment's top official in Davao.

The impending recall was hinted at by Labatt dela Torre himself in a Facebook post on Feb. 2, in which he spoke of savoring his “last few days” in Hong Kong.

By March this year, he would have been in Hong Kong for only two years. The usual term for a labor official posted overseas is three years, but this has reportedly been extended recently by the current Philippine administration to five years.

Sources within the Philippine Overseas Labor Office confirmed the reported plan, and said the one being eyed to replace dela Torre in Hong Kong is Raymundo Agravante, DOLE's  regional director in Davao.

Contacted by The SUN, Labatt dela Torre did not confirm or deny the report. But he said: “They can recall me or transfer me elsewhere, but I should not be accused of any wrongdoing." He declined to say anything more.

The SUN also sent a text message to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III asking about the reported recall, and his only reply was "fake news".

The news, which came in the wake of a recent visit to Hong Kong by a three-man fact finding team from DOLE, sparked concern among Filipino community leaders.

Many regard dela Torre as one of the most hardworking Philippine government officials around. During peak season, he opens his office practically every day to the thousands of OFWs who apply for the overseas employment certificate or OEC exemption before going home for a vacation.

Most Sundays, he even sits behind the service counters in POLO, if he is not out attending Filcom gatherings. 

But often cited as his biggest accomplishment was his unilateral move to ban dangerous window cleaning by migrant workers, which Hong Kong Immigration eventually adopted and made part of the standard employment contract for FDWs.

Dela Torre is credited for
getting HK to ban dangerous
window cleaning by FDWs  

More recently, Labatt’s outspoken stance against the rampant illegal recruitment of Filipino migrant workers for Russia and Turkey prompted Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to vow tougher sanctions against agencies engaged in the illicit practice.

Eman Villanueva, chair of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau and secretary general of Unifil-Migrante HK, said the plan to recall dela Torre sounded suspicious.

“Bakit siya iyong inaalis gayong sa tingin natin e tama ang mga ginagawa niya?,” asked Villanueva.

Since Dela Torre is widely known for cracking the whip on the illegal recruitment of Filipinos, Villanueva said the government will be sending a strong signal that it does not want the campaign to continue if the labor chief is recalled.

Villanueva also asked why Secretary Bello has not fulfilled an earlier promise to review the light sanction imposed on a former labor attaché found to have allowed his then driver to operate an employment agency.

“Tapos itong gumagawa ng mabuti e tatanggalin?,” asked Villanueva.

Dela Torre’s former deputy, Henry Tianero, who is now posted as a labor attaché in Kuala Lumpur, also offered to put in a good word for his former boss.

Tianero sent a copy of a report he submitted to the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong middle of last year, in which he noted a 21% increase in the number of OFWs who were rehired during dela Torre’s first year in office.

“More were rehired because we were deploying more quality workers,” said Tianero.

And this, he said, was all due to dela Torre’s effort to whip errant employment agencies into line, and placing more restrictions on those applying for accreditation.

A veteran OFW leader, Aura L. Ablin of the Mindanao Federation, was also rattled by the news that dela Torre might soon be recalled.

“Relieving Labatt Jalilo de la Torre from his post here in HK is an absolute mistake. If changing the color of the contract from green to blue is a small matter to our government, it is not for us, and those who fell off windows while cleaning their employer’s house. That’s Labatt Jalilo de la Torre's legacy,” she said.

“MinFed will do its best to keep him here in Hong Kong. Let the voices of all OFWs in Hong Kong be heard!”

Another community leader with a large following said his group was "saddened" by the news that dela Torre might be pulled out from his post. Leo Selomenio, chair of Global Alliance and star of the award-winning movie "Sunday Beauty Queen", said: "We have lined up many projects in partnership with POLO. What will happen to us if he goes?"

He said his group wants dela Torre to stay for several reasons: 1) He has bravely cracked down on "greedy" agencies; 2) He doesn't take a day off during peak months when thousands of OFWs line up to get the OEC exemption through the BMOnline system which "puts too much burden on OFWs; 3) He is very approachable and accommodating to OFWs consulting about their jobs; 4) He works with the Filcom in providing seminars and training that benefit the OFWs; 5) Provides quick solutions to problems referred to him.

Selomenio added: "On the whole he performs his duty beyond expectation. We love him dearly as he gives us priority and a sense of importance".

Another leader, Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers Hong Kong, questioned the real reason for the plan to recall the labor chief.

She also said dela Torre should not be relieved half-way into his term because "He has conscientiously and successfully performed his duties. He has worked hard to fulfill POLO's mission, including fighting human trafficking more aggressively, supporting teachers' programs, and protecting OFW rights and interests.

The unexpected visit of the DOLE fact-finding team from Jan. 25-27, apparently timed while he was away on vacation, appeared to have riled dela Torre. On Feb. 1, his first day back at work, he made several cryptic posts on Facebook that caused many of his friends to ask what was bothering him.

POLO sources said dela Torret felt bad on hearing about the investigation, which was apparently sparked by a complaint to DOLE by a Hong Kong recruiter that failed to get its usual job quota for Filipina bar workers in Wanchai. Labatt dela Torre has reportedly turned down routinely applications for such jobs, concerned that the Filipinas were being exploited.

But the agency’s complaint appeared to be just one of the reasons. The investigators also reportedly questioned POLO staff about Labatt dela Torre’s performance, although most gave him a positive endorsement.

Even the wards at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Centre were given a surprise visit by one of the investigators. Asked if POLO was looking after them well, most of the shelter’s occupants reportedly answered in the affirmative.

‘When my time comes, it will come’

President Rodrigo Duterte said the purported plan of terrorist group Islamic State (IS) to assassinate him doesn’t intimidate him at all.

Duterte brushed it aside as “mere” threats. He said he had been living a “dangerous life” for a long time.

“I’ve been telling you right at the start, when my time comes, it will come. I will stick to what destiny has given. If I go tomorrow, then I go,” he said in a news conference upon his arrival on Saturday from India.

“Assassination? Kung panahon ko na, panahon ko na! (If it’s my time, it’s my time). So I should not be deterred. I should not be discouraged by just mere threats. I’ve lived with it. I’ve been a prosecutor for nine years doing trial work. I live with a—it was a dangerous life then as it is now,” he went on.

An Indian news outfit The Print reported that Duterte was a target of the terror group during his visit to India late last month.

Previously, Duterte repeatedly warned against the possible retaliation of IS after the Philippine troops defeated the Maute extremist group, which laid siege to Marawi City for five months in 2017.

Quoting a security agency source, the India-based news organization reported about intelligence inputs that “the IS has its people and is planning to strike” against Duterte.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the threat was “normal” and assured the public that security measures were in place to ensure the President’s safety.

“The President is aware of it and his security is doing their job as they should assisted by the PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and all government security forces specially on intel,” he said.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Duterte knew all along that he was a target of IS but added that the President was not demoralized.