OEC summer crowd builds up in Admiralty

by Vir B. Lumicao

Queues for the overseas employment certificate are again getting longer in Admiralty as thousands of OFWs are set to go home to take advantage of their employers going abroad for their summer break.

About 1,400 applicants queued up at three OEC issuance sites in Admiralty and Central on July 3, and the number peaked to 2,000 in the next weekend.

To manage the crowd better on July 9, some of the OEC applicants were diverted to the 11th floor POLO office. Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre personally led his staff in attending to the crowd. The same arrangement was carried out the next day, a Sunday.

The number is expected to continue to rise until next month, when more employers go away for vacation.

The spike in demand prompted Labatt de la Torre to urge applicants to secure the all-important document at satellite distribution centers.

“Because of building security restrictions at Admiralty Centre, we are urging our OFWs needing OECs to go to Metrobank branch at the United Centre 2nd floor or at PNB Remittance Center in Worldwide House, Central,” De la Torre said in a post on his Facebook page 

Hong Kong schools started their summer break on July 12, although those with the English Schools Foundation closed as early as June 24 

Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero said a large crowd of about 700 also lined up on Tuesday, July 5, prompting POLO to limit the number of applicants on the 16th floor to 100 at a time 

“We asked the excess people to go down to the footbridge and wait for their turn to come up so that there would be no overcrowding on the 16th floor,” he said. 

He explained that the police do not want overcrowding in the 16th floor offices.

Most of the applicants on July 3 were scheduled to go home for a vacation on June 20, said Tianero.

The lines were longer on the Admiralty footbridge as both OEC applicants and workers renewing contracts or had other transactions at POLO competed for space with other OFWs gathered there for their Sunday rest, as well as "Pakistani vendors.

A woman who was 200th on the queue had her 5-year-old male ward in tow.

"Nagpaalam lang ako sa amo ko kasi hindi ko day off ngayon,” she said, adding that she joined the line at around 10am.  

Further down the line, The SUN asked three female workers why they didn’t apply online for the OEC online, to which they replied, “Ano iyon?”

The online application is being pushed by POLO to further disperse the crowd on the footbridge, with not much success.

UN tribunal rejects China’s claim over disputed islands

Filipinos rejoiced but their government called for restraint after the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal which ruled that the disputed islands on the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) belong to the Philippines. China, however, refused to recognize the decision.
The Hague-based tribunal released the decision on July 12 three years after the Philippines filed the case. China did not participate in the hearings as it refused to recognize jurisdiction of an court and insisted on resolving the territorial dispute through direct talks with the Philippine government.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by neighboring countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Permanent Court of Arbitration said there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources.
The PCA is an arbitration tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both the Philippines and China have signed and recognized.
The decision was a rebuke of China’s aggressive position on the disputed islands such as building concrete structures on the islands while asserting its ownership of the territory.
The Philippines under then President Benigno Aquino III elevated the case to the UN body in January 2013, said to be the first time for the Chinese government to have been summoned before an international justice system.
The tribunal rejected China’s argument that it enjoys historic rights over most of the South China Sea, a vast expanse rich in fish as well as other natural resources, including oil and gas. It said: “The tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash-line’.”
Further, it said: “Having found that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an exclusive economic zone, the tribunal found that it could—without delineating a boundary— declare that certain sea areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.”
The tribunal also said that China violated international law by causing “irreparable harm” to the marine environment, endangering Philippine ships and interfering with Philippine fishing and oil exploration.
It is not clear how the Philippines can immediately enforce the ruling, and how it will affect its relations with China. Experts said it could force Manila and Beijing back to the negotiating table — or prompt other countries to take similar legal action.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay hailed the ruling as a “milestone decision” and said the government’s experts were studying it. “In the meantime, we call on all those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety,” he said.
China’s Foreign Ministry denounced the ruling. China “solemnly declares that the award is null and void and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes it,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that Manila’s “unilateral initiation of arbitration” manifested “bad faith,” and it called the tribunal “unjust and unlawful.”

Emry’s 2 offices shut as Labour, police step in

A police notice posted on the door of Emry's Employment Agency in Room 802, On Hong Commercial Bldg in Wanchai, indicates that the Hong Kong police are investigating.

Offices used by Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency have been closed “for redecoration” as Hong Kong’s Labour and Police departments begin investigating a possible scam on hundreds of Filipino job applicants for Britain and Canada. 

The closures came after the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section had endorsed to both agencies the first batch of complaints against Emry's owner, Ester Ylagan.

Using her other company, Mike's Secretarial Service, Ylagan allegedly enticed Filipino job applicants to pay $10,000 for jobs in Britain, and $15,000 for those in Canada.

She did not issue receipts or show job-related documents.

Following the referral from the Consulate, Labour officers began contacting those who filed complaints against Ylagan and her two companies, which used to occupy adjacent offices in World Wide Plaza in Central.

Emry's abruptly shut down its World Wide  office on June 30, and said it was "relocating" to its extension office in Wanchai. Mike's was kept open except on weekends, before it, too, was closed down for "renovation" on July 12.

On the same day, The SUN visited Emry's office on the eighth floor of On Hong Commercial Bldg on Hennessy Road, Wanchai, and found it padlocked.

A notice taped on the door read: “To our valued clients: Please be informed that we are closed from July 12 to 25, 2016 for redecoration. Office will resume on July 26, 2016. Apology for any inconvenience caused. The management, Emry’s Employment Agency.”  

Next to this was a notice from the Central Police Station stating “Report No. CRN 16036631, Case Officer D178 cd 157, Telephone 28599288.”

On Sunday, four of the complainants contacted by Labour told Labatt De la Torre they would not be able to attend the interview because their day off falls on  a Sunday and the scheduled meeting was on a weekday 

The labor attaché told them if they won’t go the Labour officers might just junk their complaint and they won’t be able to recover their money. 

Two of the complainants reconsidered, and said they would talk to the officers. One of them is scheduled to report to the Labour Department in Mongkok on July 21.

“Makikipagtulungan po kami.para matapos na, kawawa rin po kami kasi. Mga hiniram lang namin po yung pera,” said the other complainant.

Others are determined to go.  One said she already had her employer's permission, but is worried because her interview is scheduled in October yet.

" Tumawag ako para tsnungin kung pwede akong ma-interview ng mas maaga pero sabi ng officer hindi puwede kasi ang dami pang iinterbyuhin muna. Natatakot lang kasi ako na baka mahirapan na kaming maghabol kasi ang tagal ng imbestigasyoh", she said. - The SUN staff 

Labour Dept acts on complaints vs. Emry’s

Labour Department officers have begun contacting Filipina domestic workers who have filed complaints against Emry’s Employment Agency for charging them up to $15,000 for non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada.

Four of the complainants, who went to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on July 10, told Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre that they had been told to report to the Labour Department office in Mongkok for interview regarding the case.

The four said they were concerned because the dates indicated fall on a weekday while their day off was Sunday

The labor attaché advised them to take leave from work on the appointed day, but they said their employers would certainly not allow them to do so. Besides, they said they feared getting sacked once their employers learned they were applying to work in another country.

They said all they wanted was to get their money back from Emry's owner Ester Ylagan.

Labatt de la Torre told them the only way they could get their money back was to attend the investigation and act as witnesses against Emry's.

"Gusto ba ninyong mabawi ang pera ninyo? Well, ipagdasal ninyong meron sa mga kasama ninyong nag-apply ang pupunta sa Labour para tumestigo," said Labatt de la Torre.

Luckily, at least two complainants have told The SUN that they are free and willing to testify.  They said they would go to Polo to inform Labatt de la Torre of their availability. They will also try to get more complainants to agree to show up for the investigation so the case against Emry's could proceed.

Separately, the Consulate has endorsed the case to the HK Police for a possible criminal prosecution. 

Since July 1, Ylagan has allegedly become scarce and no longer responding to phone calls and text inquiries from applicants.

The SUN also tried to contact her by phone but she did not pick up, nor did she reply to a set of emailed questions sent to her on June 23, shortly after Polo suspended the processing of all work contracts from Emry's.

Polo ordered Ylagan to appear personally on July 6 to give her side in the case, but she did not show up.  As a result, Labatt de la Torre endorsed the cancellation of Emry's accreditation with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

On July 10, applicants who flocked to the World-Wide Plaza office of Mike’s Secretarial Service where Ylagan processed the applicants were disappointed to see the office was closed. A notice taped on its door read: “We are close for redecoration. Office will resume on Monday.

Up to 500 Filipinos were reportedly offered jobs by Ylagan in Britain for a fee of $10,000 and in Canada, for $15,000 each. No receipts were issued, and Ylagan reportedly told the applicants 

this was because she would be taxed by the Hong Kong government for the money that she had already sent to her partner in London for the necessary clearances.

Ylagan reportedly promised an initial deployment in June, but subsequently moved this to October, ostensibly because the quota of 1,000 that was given her was yet to be filled. She reportedly asked some of her trusted recruits to entice more people to apply so the quota could be filled, and they could all fly out.

Among promises she reportedly made to sweeten the deal was that the applicants would be escorted out of Hong Kong by immigration authorities, and they would all fly out together on a chartered plane.

Labor attache calls for halt on beauty contests

"Do we really need beauty contests in our Filipino community in Hong Kong?
This was the thought-provoking question posted recently by Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre on his Facebook account.
Labatt de la Torre went public with his view a few days after attending the 18th anniversary celebration of Bangar Association of Hong Kong on July 3, during which he evidently got irritated by the parade of skimpily clad beauty contestants.
In his speech, Labatt de la Torre said beauty contests should be held decently, "without the men ogling and salivating", and without "degrading the image of Filipino women".
He said Filipino community organizations should be discouraged from organizing such contests, and that at the very least, those who hold them should not allow contestants to splurge on costumes.
On FB, he asked more scathing questions: "Do we need to show flesh to entertain?," he asked. "Do we want our OFWs to ruin their budgets in order to win in beauty contests? ".  "Are there no alternative means of raising funds for an organization?" 
"Do we need to degrade the image of Filipinas in Hong Kong?"
His FB post drew mixed reactions from community leaders, who, however, mostly agreed that it could take time before OFW organizations are weaned away from the practice
One of those who gave wholehearted support for Labatt's call was Bishop
Gerry Vallo of Jesus the Living God church, who said it was "time to redeem Filipinas' integrity."
Bishop Vallo said there were a lot of ways to meet an organization's needs than to resort to holding beauty contests to raise funds.
But one organizer said beauty contests are "part of our culture" and may not probably be stopped. Blanche Abasa also said she has seen how joining such a contest has boosted an OFW's self-confidence. However, she is open to suggestions on alternative activities that could provide the same benefits to OFWs.
Bangar president Marites Nuval also took Labatt de la Torre's suggestion in a positive light. While she has not given up on her plan to hold another beauty contest two years from now, she said she will make sure this one will be more wholesome, and that there there will be "no more daring production numbers"
Leo Selomenio, chair of the umbrella group, Global Alliance, to which Bangar is affiliated, is also not sold on the idea of giving up beauty pageants. She said such contests help promote Philippine culture and could uplift, instead of degrade, women, if they are made to wear wholesome outfits. like Filipiniana or festival costumes.
Standing firmly behind de la Torre's call is The SUN, which has made it a policy for years not to give publicity to beauty contests. 
"This was after we documented cases of OFWs getting mired in debt, either because they were contestants or organizers. We have also seen many such contests being used as a mere excuse for showing off flesh or flaunting gowns paid for with hard-earned money," said The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap.
"If the excuse is it gives the contestant good feelings, I personally feel learning new skills or helping fellow OFWs in need should be far more uplifting". -  with a report from Marites Palma

Duped job applicants to UK, Canada, turn to Consulate officials for help

Labor Attache listens to the applicants' woes

More than 50 overseas Filipino workers flocked to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) on Sunday, July 3, to seek help after losing contact with veteran jobs recruiter Ester Ylagan who lured them to apparently non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada.

The applicants said they paid $10,000 for the promised jobs in Britain, and $15,000 for those offered in Canada. No receipt was issued to any of them.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre received the complainants, then drafted affidavits which were then forwarded to the assistance to nationals section for authentication.

Vice Consul Fatima Quintin who notarized the initial batch of affidavits, said the complaint would be forwarded to the Employment Agencies Administration of the Hong Kong Labour Department for possible prosecution.

The case could also be referred to the police if fraud could be established based on the affidavits.

Meanwhile, Labatt de la Torre has recommended to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in Manila the revocation of the accreditation extended to Ylagan's Emry's Employment Agency, the biggest supplier of OFWs in Hong Kong

This was after Ylagan failed to show up at a meeting called by Polo on July 6, in a last-ditch bid to get her to explain the third-country deployment, which is prohibited under POEA rules.

The recruitment agency, which has been in operation for 30 years, is licensed with the Hong Kong government's EAA.

Polo suspended the processing of the agency's contracts on June 20, and Ylagan was given five days to show cause for its violation of the POEA prohibition.  She reportedly asked for 14 days to respond to the order, and to get a copy of the relevant law used as a basis for her agency's suspension, but this was ignored.

On June 30, Emry's flagship office in World Wide Plaza in Central was shut down, and a notice was put up saying the agency was "relocating" to its other office in Wanchai. Panicked applicants, however, reported going to the Wachai office and saw it closed. Ylagan had also stopped responding to most text and chat messages.

Those who did get a response from her said in their affidavits that they were told they would be sued if they filed a complaint against Ylagan or her agency.

Using her other company, Mike's, Ylagan reportedly started recruiting OFWs for the overseas jobs starting in January this year, with the promise that they could leave for their chosen destination by June. Later, she said the departure date had been moved to October because their "job orders" could not be released yet

At least 500 OFWs are believed to have been enticed to pay for the promised jobs, for which no educational attainment or related experience, was required. The jobs ranged from nursing posts in London to sales staff and factory workers. 

The applicants were not issued receipts, or any document to show that they had applied and paid for the jobs.

The applicants with Vice Consul Fatima Quintin

                                                 

Overstaying parents urged to register their babies

The block in Ap Lei Chau where Pangan, Escanillas and their two daughters lived for the past three years

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Filipino parents of two teenage girls whose births were not registered with authorities for 19 years are reportedly not in a hurry to register their children with the Consulate.
This was according to Vice Consul Fatima Quintin, head of the assistance to nationals section, who said the reluctance was regrettable.
She urged Filipino parents to register their children, no matter their circumstances, so they would get consular help and protection.
But she admitted that some parents were reluctant to register their children for some personal reasons, and that the Consulate could not force them to do so. “As much as we would like to encourage them to register, hindi natin makuha, pero iyon nga, kawawa yung mga bata kasi wala silang identity rito. Kung wala silang identity, hindi  sila makaka-avail ng available services,” Quintin said.
“Ini-encourage namin na i-register yung mga bata. Ang importante ay yung kapakanan ng mga bata, hindi yung circumstances ng mga parents.”
Ma Lorena Escanillas, 43, a former domestic helper, told officers of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section that she would attend to the documents of her daughters, aged 18 and 19, only after her release from prison.
Her partner, 58-year-old Reynaldo Pangan, earlier ruled out registering the children with the Consulate soon as he was concerned that this could interfere with the Hong Kong Welfare Department’s processing of benefits for his daughters.

Eastern Court

Escanillas is serving a 12-month jail sentence at Lowu Correctional Institution after her conviction on Jun 13 in Eastern Court on a charge of overstaying her visa for almost 20 years.
Pangan received a similar jail sentence for aiding and abetting Escanilla’s breach of condition of stay by sheltering Escanillas during this period. He was also sentenced to two months in jail for failing to register the two children.
But Magistrate Clement Lee suspended both sentences for two years to allow Pangan to look after their children.
Escanillas is reluctant to talk about the circumstances of her case, said ATN officer Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., who, along with Quintin, visited her in Lowu on June 20.  “She was tightlipped, she doesn’t want to her story to be played up by media,” Cayabyab said of Escanillas after the prison visit.
Filipinas who live near the building on Aberdeen Main road where the family has stayed for the past three years did not know the family.
“Hindi sila siguro lumalabas dahil kung hindi ay nakilala namin,” said one of the workers who, along with a handful of other Filipinas, gathered every weekday outside a primary school nearby.
The court was told that the second-floor flat was rented by Pangan starting on Jan 5, 2013 for $11,000, while he was reportedly earning the same amount as a domestic helper.
Pangan reportedly met Escanillas after she lost her job and she became his girlfriend.
The maid was pregnant when her visa expired on Oct 22, 1996 and Pangan found a place for her to live.
Escanillas gave birth to their elder daughter on Mar 4, 1996 at Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin. Then exactly a year later, the second daughter was born in a flat in Taipo that Pangan had rented for his family.
Police said the Marriage, Birth and Death Registration Section of the Immigration Department had no records of marriage for Pangan and Escanillas, as well as the birth of their children. They also found no record of the children with the Education Department.
Pangan told investigators that he was unable to register the children because the mother was overstaying and he did not know anyone who could help him. He was also unable to send them to school because they did not have birth certificates.
But he said that during the whole episode that spanned almost two decades, he provided for Escanillas and the children. The couple also gave the children basic education at home, including reading and writing.
Pangan boasted that his children could read and speak in English and were good at computers.

Workshop to focus on rights of pregnant maids

The rights of a pregnant domestic worker in Hong Kong will be the focus of a workshop on maternity protection at the Consulate on July 24, organized by the non-government organi-zation, PathFinders.
“Throughout this workshop, we are hoping to increase health awareness and maternity rights for the foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong,” said Carmen Lam, senior community development officer of PathFinders.
One issue the workshop will address is whether a pregnant helper is entitled to maternity leave.
There have been several cases in Hong Kong where employers dismissed their maids after discovering they were pregnant simply because they did not want to grant the helpers maternity leave.
Since 2008, PathFinders has extended help to around 3,000 pregnant maids, ranging from protection for the mother and child, to access to justice and healthcare.
Interested parties may call Lam at (852) 5621 8329 of fax her at (852) 2393 2422 for enquiries.

Family can save

By Francisco J. Colayco

Let’s say I’m an average rank and file employee who is a father of 3 earning a monthly net salary of P12,000.  How would you advise me to grow my savings or make an investment when my earnings are barely enough to sustain my family?

It will take a lot of sacrifice, for sure, but it can be done if they are determined.  How many employees do we see smoking, drinking, texting and eating junk food and wasting real food?  Some may even say they do this and even resort to drinking alcohol and taking expensive drugs to forget their pain and sorrows.  Unfortunately, when they wake up from their stupor, their pain and sorrows will still be there and may even be worse when they realize that they lost an opportunity to improve their future.
For this family, I strongly suggest that they save Php33 a day or Php1,000 a month.  As we discussed in the last article, the Php1,000 a month if it earns 10% per year can grow to Php2.1M in 30 years or to Php5.6M in 40 years.
Many who write me think that they will get the extra income now if they invest in mutual funds. This is very wrong.  Your income will come only when you sell your shares that you bought in the mutual fund with your Php1,000 monthly at a profit.
If you sell it at the wrong time, you may even suffer a loss. Investing in Mutual Funds is not the suitable for those who want regular cash income.  It is for those who want capital appreciation, or increase in value of their assets over a long period of time.
Do not put in money that you will need in a short period of time.  You really need to “forget” that you have that money.  It should be looked at as money for say, schooling of your children 5 -10 years from now.  It is also an excellent investment for your retirement in 30-40 years time.
If you want to use this investment option for the schooling of your children, you will have to have a separate accounting for it.  It can be done but you probably will still need at least five years before you can see some really good capital growth from it.  You will need to plan this carefully.
What is very important with your kind of income is not to be tempted to use credit cards.  Credit cards can become the beginning of the end for you.  Maybe you could get them free for a year just to convince you to get a card but you will have to pay a steep annual fee after the first year.  If you are not able to pay on time, you will end up with penalties and interest that will really kill your capability to save.  As much as possible, live simply using only cash.
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Francisco J. Colayco is an entrepreneur, a venture developer and financial advisor.  He is the founder of Colayco Financial Education and the Kapatiran sa Kasaganaan Service and Multipurpose Cooperative which have developed businesses in Banking and Finance, Real Estate, Food, Agriculture and others.  He is the Author of Seven Bestsellers in the Pera Palaguin Series, the latest of which is now available in bookstores:  “Wealth Reached. Money Worked. Pera Mo, Pinalago Mo!” Find his works and catch him on TV and radio.  Check out: www.colaycofinancialeducation.com, www.franciscocolayco.com, www.kskcoop.com, FaceBook and Instagram.

What the new gov’t should do to help OFWs

By Josefina Pingkihan 

I did not hesitate to say yes when asked to write about this topic because this is a subject close to my heart.
Having been around a little longer than what I intended to, I have been a witness to the  five previous administrations’ policies and attitude towards the saviors of the country’s economy- us OFWs. Each one had a distinct way of addressing our plight that certain policies come to mind when their names are mentioned. Marcos – labor export program; Cory – new economic heroes ; Arroyo-  supermaids, hello Garci; Ramos – internationally shared human resources, Philippines 2000; Erap – increase in government fees , PNoy – tuwid na daan, and the list goes on. Top administrative seats may have changed but unfortunately, there has been no significant improvement in our lives.
In the just concluded elections we were again bombarded with different platforms from the presidential candidates. But the promises of change, better economy, better public services, did little to appease many disgruntled voters who had lost confidence in the electoral process. With a new administration coming in, I could only hope the president-elect would vigorously deliver what he promised during his campaign.  I have a multitude of suggestions but given the limited space, I will write what I think are the priorities.
Top on my list is the review of the Omnibus Policies that virtually allows agencies to overcharge job applicants under the guise of training fees.  In line with this, recruitment agencies should be strictly monitored not only for job orders but also for their collection of fees and their unholy alliances with clinics that handle medical examinations. There should be an improvement of the contents of the pre departure orientation seminars or PDOS where applicants are not only informed about remittance channels but more on the policies and the culture and traditions  of the host country. Ex–OFWs should be exempted from taking the PDOS which is the practice until now.
We have in the past been minimally represented in the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Board of Trustees which gives us a lesser voice when it comes to decision-making. We should be given more slots and the representatives should come from organizations that truly promote our rights and welfare.
The provision of medical services is another area that must be looked into. OFWs feel more comfortable about opening up about their ailments when talking to their countrymen so Filipino doctors should be again be deployed overseas. Our families should also benefit from free or cheap medical and health services. While it is true we have Philhealth, its services are selective in terms of who can avail and which hospitals are accredited.
We all know that a majority of OFWs are university graduates who, in the absence of  employment opportunities or the low salaries back home, have taken up domestic work for a living. The consulates should arrange for board exams appropriate for each profession so that they can be ready to be employed back home should they wish to do so. In relation to this and as the budget for the education needs of our children takes up a big chunk of our salaries, I hope the new administration could regulate the university  tuition fees that increase annually. Another burden for us is the implementation of the K-12 scheme which added more years to the secondary school while diminishing the job opportunities and monetary benefits for university professors.
We are exempt from paying the airport terminal fee, therefore, its collection should be stopped. An hour of waiting for our turn to refund the P500 fee is better spent being with our families. The latest series of offensive behavior targeting overseas Filipinos: tanim-bala and bukas-box are both highly condemnable and must also be stopped. There should also be an in-depth investigation into this matter, and the surveillance of the airport personnel up to the highest rank must be undertaken.  We are not out of our minds to plant a bullet into our stuff that could cost us our names, our jobs and lead us to expensive litigation. Also, everything that we painstakingly packed into the boxes that we send to our family back home, make them almost sacred and untouchable as they were bought with our hard-earned money.
Thinking of how we will be retiring someday, many of us pay SSS contributions, hoping to have something to rely on in our old age, albeit small. An increase in the pension is very much needed and necessary, given our contribution to the economy.
Lastly, as breadwinners, our salary is stretched to the limit when it comes to budgeting  for the household, education,  medical  and miscellaneous expenses.  The new administ-ration should regulate the prices of basic commodities in order for us to cope with the burdens of inflation.
The new administration must heed our demands as OFWs and as citizens. The incoming officials must fulfill the promises that got them into the positions they are in now. Like with past administrations, they must work hard to leave behind a legacy that would make its mark in our colorful history.


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“How I wish my fellow OFWs would be more involved with every issue that affects us—not only as migrants but as citizens of the Philippines and the world. If only others could see the relationship of every aspect of life-economic, political, social-cultural which are so much inter-related  we would probably allot more time for deeper study and analysis, like how is the price of bagoong related to the abuses of OFWs. Seems farfetched but there is still a link”. This was how long-time community leader Josefina Pingkihan explained her keen desire to get involved in events that are happening around her. Pingkihan arrived in Hong Kong in June 1996, and shortly thereafter became a member of Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili, composed mostly of Cordillerans who advocate the promotion and protection of migrants' rights and welfare. Josie then spearheaded the formation of Cordillera Alliance in Hong Kong in October 1998, and remained its chairperson for 16 years.  She stepped down when she was elected as deputy secretary of Bayan Muna HK-Macau Chapter in 2014. At CORALL-HK, Josie led the campaign for migrants’ rights and welfare, especially for those coming from her region. In particular her group brought to public attention the cases of Jocelyn Dulnuan who was abused and murdered in Canada, and “Grace”, a rape victim in Saudi Arabia. Her group also led the campaign to prevent mall giant SM from cutting all the trees at its vicinity in Baguio City, and helped rescue distressed Filipinos in the Middle East.— Ed)

P100,000 gift for centenarians

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law on June 23 the Congress-approved bill granting a P100,000 cash incentive to Filipino centenarians, a similar measure he vetoed in 2013.  The new law grants Filipinos – whether residing in the country or abroad – who reach 100 years old various rewards and incentives, including a cash gift of P100,000 and a presidential letter of felicitation. Some 7,000 Filipinos are expected to benefit from the law.

Duterte pledges compassionate gov’t

When Rodrigo Duterte takes his oath on June 30, he is expected to promise a government that will be harsh to the corrupt and criminals and strict to wrongdoers but compassionate for the hopeless, helpless, and the defenseless.
 “I'm hell-bent in stopping corruption. You will not get help from me if you are in government and you commit corruption,” he said after the last flag raising ceremony on June 27 in Davao City that he attended as mayor. “If Cabinet secretaries make money through corruption, I'll ask them to just go. If you saw something stolen, even if it is just one peso, I'll not only admit it. I will resign.”
Duterte anchored his campaign on fighting crime and promoting inclusive growth. He said he would work hard to satisfy the expectations of the 16.6 million people who voted for him.
“My government is for the helpless, hopeless, and the defenseless. Those are the words of my father. I just borrowed it from him,” Duterte said. Duterte's father Vicente served as governor of Davao and was a Cabinet member of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
“I do the very best I can and I mean to keep doing so until the end,” the 71-year-old Duterte said. “If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me would not amount to anything. But if the end brings me out wrong, ten angels of God swearing I was right would make no difference.”
While promising to be decisive and strong, the incoming President sought the help of the public for his programs to succeed. “To those who want to help the government, now is the time to do it. If you really want a government that is good, we're trying to make up something good for the next generation,” he said.
“But as I said, do not destroy our children. I will kill you... That's what I will do.”

Digong unfazed by impeachment

Impeachment is the least of Rodrigo Duterte’s worries when he assumes the presidency. “I have no problem with that. I won. Why? Because I was the person carrying the right message – corruption in government, criminality. I will fulfill my promise regardless of who will be affected. I will stake my honor my life and presidency itself,” the incoming President said.
Some sectors have expressed concerns that Duterte’s all-out war on illegal drugs and other criminal activities could raise grounds for impeachment particularly his pronouncements favoring summary executions against criminals who resist arrest.
Duterte warned that the Philippines could transform into a narcotics state if he would listen to his critics who question his anti-criminality policies. “You cannot solve what ails this country by killing people but in the meantime, I have a serious problem to solve because seven years from now, it’s going to be narco-politics,” he said.  Duterte has promised to suppress crime within three to six months of his presidency.
Duterte has also publicly endorsed the restoration of the death penalty on heinous crimes such as those related to illegal drugs. He also assured policemen of protection against investigations and prosecution for offenses in pursuit of his advocacy.
Duterte also plans to impose a curfew on minors “to protect them from harm.”
“We’re not in the process of arresting. We’re taking into the custody the child to protect them from harm. How can it be a human rights violation? You protect the children of this country by controlling their movements at night. That is human right violation?” he pointed out.
Outgoing House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said an impeachment has zero possibility.

Aquino proud of AFP reforms, modernization

Saying that “good governance is good economics,” outgoing President Benigno Aquino III took pride in being instrumental for the reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with more than P60-billion spent for its modernization.
“Sa tamang pamamahala, at tamang paglalaan ng pondo, naging makasaysayan ang modernisasyon ninyo. Yung ilang mga dating pinapangarap lang natin, tangan na natin ngayon. Ang maganda pa: Hindi lang kayo tumatanggap ng biyaya mula sa estado; sinusuklian ninyo ito ng karampatang serbisyo. Sa huli, naging virtuous cycle ito; nagtutulungan ang lahat, at sa dulo, Pilipino ang panalo,” Aquino said at the testimonial farewell to the military at Camp Aguinaldo on June 27.
Acting AFP chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda thanked Aquino for the much-needed upgrading of military equipment and firepower.
In early June, the Philippines commissioned BRP Tarlac, a brand new 123-meter-long strategic sealift vessel that is bigger than former US Coast Guard twin ships BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar. It is the first of two Indonesian-built landing dock vessels acquired for nearly P4 billion. The ships are undergoing finishing touches and will eventually serve as a platform for command and control of naval operations.
BRP Tarlac was the latest delivery among the new acquisitions of the AFP under the modernization program. It was named after one of the provinces that fought for freedom from an earlier colonizer, Spain, in the 1800s, which happens to be the home province of President Aquino.
In his speech, Aquino praised the military for doing its job well despite the lack of resources.
For instance, he cited the Navy’s show of “seamanship” to resupply Marines stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, the country’s unconventional naval detachment in the middle of the West Philippine Sea. “Ganitong tapang at paninindigan, diskarte at inobasyon ang di dapat mawala sa ating kaisipan,” he said.
“Di pwedeng maging de-kahon, walang imahinasyon, at kapos sa inspirasyon ang pagtutupad ng ating tungkulin,” the President.

Bagong liderato

Simula sa buwang ito ay may bago na tayong pangulo. At gaya ng 15 pangulong nagdaan, nasa harapan ni Rodrigo Duterte ang pagkakataon upang maghabi ng isang mahusay na pamahalaan.
Lahat tayo, bilang Pilipino, ay dapat humanay sa likod niya upang siya ay magtagumpay. Ito ay hindi para sa kanya, kundi para sa atin, dahil ang tagumpay ng kanyang administrasyon ay tagumpay nating Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay dapat maging bukas ang isipan sa posibilidad na dala niya ang maganda nating hinaharap.
Pero dapat din tayong maging mapagmasid, dahil baka saan lang tayo dalhin.
Ang pagpapatakbo ng isang bansa ay hindi lamang umiinog sa paglaban sa krimen at droga, o pagsugpo ng katiwalian. May ekonomiya rin na dapat pangalagaan, may gobyerno na dapat maayos na patakbuhin, may relasyon sa ibang bansa na dapat ingatan, at may mga interes ang Pilipinas na dapat bantayan.
Ang pinakamalaking interes natin sa ngayon ay ang West Philippine Sea. Nakatakdang magbaba ng hatol ngayong buwan ang arbitration court sa The Hague, Netherlands, tungkol sa kasong isinampa ng Pilipinas laban sa pagkamkam ng China sa halos buong South China Sea, kasama na ang karagatang dapat ay sakop ng Pilipinas.
Base sa mga salita ni Duterte—gaya ng pagma-malaki niya na isang railway system ang itatayo ng China sa Luzon—baka mawalang saysay kung manalo man ang Pilipinas sa kaso. At tutol siya sa modernisasyon ng militar; dahil ba upang patuloy na walang kakayahan ang Pilipinas na lumaban kahit ito ay inaapi?
Nagparamdam rin si Duterte na ipalilibing niya ang sinipang diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, kahit marami ang tutol dahil sa mga krimeng ginawa nito sa bayan noong martial law at bilyong dolyar na ninakaw niya sa kaban ng bayan. Gusto ba niyang ipakita na kaya niyang suwayin ang kagustuhan ng mamamayan?
Gaya ni Duterte, ika-16 na pangulo si Abraham Lincoln ng Estados Unidos. May habilin siya na dapat tandaan: “Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”

Jail them!

If there is one issue that has brought me untold, vicarious grief over the past years, it is the illegal recruitment of our migrant workers to overseas destinations, particularly Canada, Britain, Australia, and lately, Russia.
It frustrates me no end why little has been done to stop this massive fraud, which has victimized hundreds, if not thousands, of our workers.
Considering the insane amounts often charged each applicant, who pays out of hard-earned savings or through loans obtained at cut-throat interest rates, the problem looms even larger.
But what has been the action by the authorities so far? A fine as little as $3,000 when the “placement fee” charged was an outrageous $21,000, or the cancellation of agency license when the owner could no longer be found.
In at least one case involving a notorious agent, the suspect was not even charged because investigators were reportedly unsure about what to accuse her of.
She remains free to this day, long after luring dozens of Filipinos, both in Hong Kong and the Philippines, to non-existent jobs in Canada and Cyprus, and making them cough up fees of as much as CAD$9000 each.
Seven of her victims turned to us for help, and we took them to a nearby police station where officers adamantly refused to even record their complaint until their boss came out and saw the obviously fake air tickets given them by the agent.
But despite the lengthy investigation that followed, and despite her fleeing to Macau with about two dozen applicants who were made to wait for a month for flights to Cyprus that never came, the agent, sadly a Filipina, is still around.
Even more frustrating is seeing this Filipina’s obviously fraudulent ploy being copied by other rogue agents, who must have been impressed with how she managed to wriggle out of an extremely tight spot.
They, too, have gotten away with a mere slap on the wrist, or none at all.
The list is long: Natino, Limestone, Pacific Management Consultants, Joyce Agency, Vick’s Maid, and most recently, Excellent Nannies. They were all taken to court or the police, but not a single one was made to fully answer for the wrong they did to our workers.
In many cases, even the Hong Kong Employment Agencies Administration would not act on complaints because of its insistence on such claims falling under the Summary Offences Ordinance, for which a time bar of six months is prescribed.
This means that if payment was received in January, no complaint against the agency involved would be entertained if it was made after July, or after a time lapse of more than six months.
One other option offered to victims is to seek repayment through the Small Claims Tribunal. But this often leads to more frustration for victims because even if they get a favorable judgment, the errant agent tends to ignore the order for repayment.
In such a case, the victim’s only recourse is to seek the bailiff’s help, but this comes at a price of around $4,000, which is the fee prescribed for getting the order enforced.
And even if they are willing to put in good money after the bad, the results are not always favorable.
In one remarkable case brought to our attention, an OFW who paid the fee to enforce the order giving back her $21,000 was stymied further when the agent threatened to file suit against the bailiff, claiming the properties being seized to satisfy the claim were not hers.
The bailiff backed out.
Given all these, it comes as a relief to see our new labor attache coming out firmly against the deployment of our workers here to a third country. While the sanctions for such a violation are just administrative in nature, it still sends out a strong signal that our government is doing its best to strike down on the illegal practice, especially if the agency involved has been in business for decades, like Emry’s.
But more should be done. Our officials must put before their Hong Kong counterparts the long list of cases showing how unscrupulous agents managed to run scot-free after fleecing our workers of thousands of dollars for non-existent jobs abroad.
This is fraud, and this is how Hong Kong authorities should regard it. If the perpetrators end up serving time in jail, this long-standing problem that has caused untold suffering to many of our workers could maybe come to an end.

Umela celebrates 8th anniversary

Umela president Ofelia Baquirin (below, right)  and some of the graduates of livelihood  courses (above).

More than 70 graduates of various livelihood courses were honored at the 8th anniversary celebration of United Migrants Entrerpeneurship and Livelihood Association (Umela) held at Bayanihan Centre on June 19.
Umela president Ofelia Baquirin took the chance to pay tribute to her group’s trainors for their “effort, time and dedication” and also their trainees for putting their trust in her organization.
She also proudly announced that a second batch of Umela trainors were among those who received certificates from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) that same morning.
Special guest Consul Charles Macaspac said Umela was among the first organizations to catch his attention because of its emphasis on entrepreneurship and livelihood training.
He took the chance to say goodbye to members of the group as he was about to end his six-year posting in Hong Kong.
Umela’s livelihood program included lessons in massage therapy, basic dressmaking, meat processing and flower making.
The celebration was capped by the oathtaking of Umela’s officers for the year. - DCLM

Fate A slams against Steel

By Emz Frial

Fate A summoned all its strength and dug into its bag of tricks, but there was no way the all-Filipina team could beat a formidable foe like Steel, last season’s champions.
Ranged against their younger and nimbler local rivals, the Filipinas were the underdog, while Steel simply hit hard and kept its defenses airtight to trounce Fate, 14-3, at Tin Kwong Field on June 19.
Fate batted first being the away team. But Steel’s tight defense foiled the Filipinas’ bid to step on the bases.
First batter Zenny Badajos was caught on a flyball by pitcher Yeung Li-kwan, while Myra Japitana was put out on first base. Don Gaborno was also caught on a flyball by right-fielder Lee Sue-yee.
Steel then took over the batting plate with first batter Lam Pui Kwan slamming a ball that took him safely to first base.
A throwing error of shortstop Ma. Eva Mendez to first baseman Japitana took Kwan to third base on a playball. Kwan later ran to home base when Yeung Man-wai struck an outfield ball.
The Filipinas put up a tight defense to give the locals just one home in the first inning.
Fate scored one run in the second inning via Mendez while holding Steel scoreless at its turn to bat. That evened score 1-1 in the second inning.
In the third inning, Fate struggled but failed to earn a score.
That signaled a scoring party for Steel. Kwong Yuen-yi struck a short outfield ball for a safe run to first base. Then he ran to third base when Yeung Man-wai blasted a long ball and ran up to second base.
The two base runners sailed home unhampered when Lo Wing-yan smashed another outfield ball.
Steel then piled on more home runs via Lo Wing-yan, Lee Sue-yee, Sung Ka-yan, Yan Wai-yan, Lam Pui-kwan, Kwong, Yeung and, again, Lo. The inning ended at 11-1.
Fate then took its last chance to score in the fourth inning with Lyka Algonez hitting the ball and running safe to first base. She then dashed to third base when Romela Osabel struck the ball to the outfield and was safe until second base.
Fast balls of local pitcher Yeung Li-kwan caught Cherry Octaviano and Jessie Duque standing out.
Eunice Locop gave base runners Algonez and Osabel a chance to reach home base safely when she hammered an outfield ball. Locop then ran safely to second base, but was stuck on the plate when Badajos was caught on a flyball by shortstop Yam Wai-yan.
When Steel took over the batting plate, Fate changed its pitcher from Badajos to Gaborno, but luck lingered with the local sluggers. They added three more runs courtesy of Sung Ka-yan, Yam Wai-yan and Lam to end the game, 14-3.
Fate manager Law Wai-ho greeted the team after the game, giving them his full support. “Nice game, guys!” he said.

Filcom says goodbye to Consul Chuck

Leaders of Philippine Alliance and its splinter group Global Alliance, and other guests show unity with a wacky pose with Consul Charles Andrei Macaspac.

By The SUN Staff

Tributes poured on Aug. 26 at Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town, as about 100 leaders of the community said farewell to Consul Charles Andrei Macaspac who went back to the Philippines the next day, exactly six years to the day he arrived in Hong Kong.
Consulate officials led by Consul General Bernardita Catalla came in full force to show support for the popular officer fondly called Consul Chuck by everyone.
Congen Catalla thanked the leaders for their tributes, and for giving importance to her  junior officer’s exemplary service to the community.
The gathering also served as a show of unity by Philippine Alliance and its splinter group Global Alliance, which had been at loggerheads for months following an acrimonious leadership struggle.
Leo Selomenio, chair of GA which co-organized the farewell with The SUN, graciously welcomed PA chair Walter Melicor and president Aldwyn Mas who joined the event at the request of Consul Chuck.
Mas thanked Consul Chuck for always giving “tulong, suporta, inspirasyon” to the community, particularly his group.
Selomenio who gave the final tribute, recalled how Macaspac remained by her group’s side even after a harrowing encounter with several organizations over Independence Day preparations five years earlier.
“Hindi nang-iiwan” was how Selomenio described the well-loved diplomat.
“Thank you very much for everything. We will never forget you,” was Selomenio’s heart-felt closing statement.
The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap lauded Consul Chuck’s humility, which she said made him listen well to those in need, learn from those who had been in the community long enough to know its problems, and help when need be.
“I have only two wishes on his departure. That we will have more officers like him in the Consulate, and that he will continue his good deeds wherever he may be posted,” said Mandap.
The obvious love and respect that the leaders had for Consul Chuck was not lost on Vice Consul Robert Quintin who was on his first working day as the Consulate’s head of community relations.
Quintin said his departing colleague was a “tough act to follow”. The newbie officer said he would do his best to emulate Consul Chuck’s example
Quintin’s wife, Vice Consul Timmy, said she would always remember Consul Chuck for his wisdom, much like the wizened character “Yoda” from the movie Star Wars.
Consul Chuck’s advice to his fellow officers to love the community and to always do their best to help anyone in need was, according to VC Timmy, something she would always treasure.
Also paying tribute were several community leaders who sent video greetings because they couldn’t attend the Bayanihan send-off.
Among them was militant leader Eman Villanueva who said Consul Chuck possessed three important qualities of a good public servant: approachability, an ability to respond quickly to any situation, and of having an open mind, which was important to progressive organizations like his.
“Hangad namin na nawa na ang paglilingkod mo dito ay pamarisan din ng iba pang nasa serbisyo publiko, ng papalit sa iyo. Sana ay madala mo din ito saan ka man dalhin ng iyong pagsisilbi,” Villanueva said.
In turn, Macaspac said in a video interview with The SUN that he would never forget Hong Kong and the people he had met here.
“Talagang isinapuso ko ang lahat ng mga experiences ko dito and I am sure that ang mga aral na napulot ko dito ay magagamit ko sa hinaharap para makatulong pa din sa mga kababayan natin sa ibang lugar,” he said.

Two more Emry’s applicants get refund after threat to report

By Vir B. Lumicao

Ester Ylagan, with her company's pledge

Two Filipinas who had been promised jobs in Canada and Britain which were apparently non-existent got a full refund of the up to $15,000 they had paid the owner of Emry’s Employment Agency after one of them threatened to report to the Hong Kong authorities.
But Fatima Toquero and Joy Ensenado were made by agency owner Ester Ylagan to sign a quitclaim on June 26 in which they promised not to pursue any case against Emry’s after receiving their refund.
At least 10 other applicants who had also obtained a refund from Ylagan, eight of them with help from Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre.
Four other applicants who went with Toquero and Ensenado to Emry’s were refused a refund, so they said they went to the Consulate to complain.
Toquero, a nurse who was promised a job at a hospital in Canada, got back the $15,000 she paid Ylagan. Ensenado recovered the $5,500 she paid Emry’s on March 24 for an unspecified job in London.
The “Affidavit of Desistance, Waiver, Release and Quitclaim” that Ylagan asked Toquero and Ensenado to sign before she paid them back was made in the name of Mike’s Secretarial Services, which Ylagan allegedly explained to applicants as a “baby” of Emry’s.
The document stated Mike’s address as Shop 356, 3/F, World-Wide Plaza, 19 Des Voeux Road Central. In Toquero’s case, it also stated that the money paid was for securing a “Foreign Immigrant Clearance Certificate” and Foreign Employment Clearance Certificate. For Ensenado, the lesser amount was supposed to pay only for the FICC clearance.
But in both affidavits, the applicants were made to declare that they were waiving the right to file “any legal suit, proceeding or desist from further pursuing or prosecuting any legal action” against Mike’s Secretarial Service, Emry’s and Ylagan in Hong Kong and the Philippines.
According to Toquero, they were promised that after the two clearances were obtained, they could already be given a job order. The said “JO” was originally meant to be released in June, but this was later moved to October.
In the meantime, Ylagan reportedly told the applicants to entice more people to apply.
The jobs offered were in hotels, restaurants, hospitals and schools, domestic helper, and others that were based on the applicant’s work experience.
“Huwag na huwag daw po namin kalilimutang ilagay ang domestic helper, kasi  iyon daw po ang karamihan ng work doon sa UK, kahit tagapulot lang ng plastic sa street,” Toquero said.
The applicants were made to fill up pro forma resumes where they stated the work they were applying for, and to rank them according to the order of preference.
Toquero said she had threatened to take Ylagan to the police and Hong Kong’s Labour Department if her money was not returned. This was after Ylagan had reportedly told the applicants that she would no longer give refunds as the money had already been sent to her partner in London.
“She said we should not treat her like a criminal because she had helped a lot of people for 30 years,” Toquero said.
Emry’s, the biggest recruiter of Filipino domestic workers to Hong Kong, has been in business for three decades.
Ensenado said Ylagan had told her sharply that God would punish her for insisting on a refund. “She also told me not to recruit people to demand a refund,” she said.
One of the applicants who failed to get her money back said in a Facebook group chat that when they got to Mike’s, Ylagan told them to write  down their reason why they needed to withdraw their money. “She said many other applicants are positive about the job prospects and have decided to wait until October,” she said.
Ylagan reportedly told them to wait for her call if they wanted a refund.