Retirement age of 75 in military eyed

President Duterte wants to raise the retirement age of uniformed personnel to 75 from 56, saying the government would be shortchanged if security officials are allowed to leave the service early.

Duterte said the retirement age of 56 is “too early,” considering that Filipinos are spending so much for soldiers and policemen.

“Alam mo ’adre, sa totoo lang, lugi ang gobyerno sa inyo (You know buddy, the government is shortchanged). You retire at the age of 56, that’s too early,” the President said at the graduation of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Maragtas” class of 2018 yesterday in Cavite.

“Do not be offended. Filipinos are spending much for you, yet you retire at the age of 56. Hindi ako makabawi (I cannot recover the expenses),” he added.

Duterte urged Vice President Leni Robredo, who was also present during the graduation ceremony, to support a measure raising the retirement age of the armed services.

“Perhaps in the next legislation, we will ask the Vice President to do her part... Retirement age is 75,” he added.

Duterte also cited the need to enlist more policemen to address the Philippines’ security requirements. He expressed hope that more Muslims would join the country’s security forces.

“I hope by the next batch or the next – the one coming up for this generation, I will have the money to give you to enlist more police officers,” he said.

“Not all the Moro of Mindanao are our enemies. So maybe next time there should be a percentage of the Moro people joining PMA (Philippine Military Academy) or the PNPA. We need them,” he said.

At the same event, Duterte advised PNPA graduates to be vigilant against the Sparrow unit or the assassins of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Be on alert for the sparrows because they are very active. If you have guns, do not display it, and be sure to keep a low profile. And if you enter an unfamiliar place, keep a sub rosa (private) style of movement,” the President said.

“We are at war. Now, the NPA is really after your guns... Those fools are drooling for your guns,” he added.

Duterte reminded the incoming police officers to have presence of mind and to study the ways NPA members assassinate their victims.

“I am not condemning you to death, I am just saying keep a low profile, heighten your sense of awareness,” the President said.

Duterte also claimed that about 1,000 soldiers and policemen have died because of the campaign against illegal drugs in Mindanao.

He also urged the PNPA graduates to perform their duties in accordance with the law. 

This was the third time Duterte and Robredo shared the same stage in less than a week.

“Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo, this is the third time that I have greeted you, my lady,” the President said. Robredo smiled, sparking cheers from the audience.

The country’s top officials attended the graduation rites at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Sunday and the 121st founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army in Taguig City on Tuesday.

Robredo said she had a chance to talk with the top 20 of the 106-strong Maragtas Class before the commencement exercises. One of the graduates, meanwhile, gifted Robredo with a portrait of herself.

Robredo shared on Twitter photos of the artwork by Cadet Fourth Class Don Carlo Labastida, who hails from Davao City. The painting featured the Vice President’s face and the seal of her office.

“Was gifted with this beautiful painting by the PNPA Council of Artists. In the pictures with me is the artist behind this masterpiece, Cadet 4CL Don Carlo Labastida of Davao City,” Robredo said.

Labastida is a self-taught painter who belongs to the PNPA Council of Artists, the Office of the Vice President said.

The rites took on a new meaning for one of the female graduates after her policeman boyfriend surprised her with a marriage proposal.

Inspector May Ann Bejuna, 25, was with her relatives on the parade grounds when her boyfriend of three years, Inspector Thomas Allabo, 26, of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF), approached her with a bouquet of flowers.

Allabo, a member of the PNPA Lakandula Class of 2015, was accompanied by his classmates carrying heart-shaped balloons

Paggawa ng longganisa, tocino itinuro ng CARD

Ipinakikita ng mga dumalo ang nagawa nilang longganisa.

Ni Cecil Eduarte

"Ang sipag at tiyagang matuto ng kaalaman pangkabuhayan ay susi sa pag-abot ng mga mithiin sa buhay."

Alinsunod sa mithiin nito na makatulong sa buhay pinansyal ng mga migranteng manggagawa ay muling nagdaos ang CARD HK Foundation ng pagsasanay pangkabuhayan noong ika-18 ng Marso sa Bayanihan Centre sa Kennedy Town.

itinuro ng kanilang mga trainors na sina Stela Agtarap at Phamela Agbao ang paggawa ng longganisa, at sina Emilia Dellosa at Rechelle Montoya naman para sa tocino.Halatang patok na patok ang tema ng pagtuturo dahil umabot sa 191 ang bilang ng dumalo.

Ayon sa mga trainor ang mga pagkaing ito ay dinala sa Pilipinas ng mga mananakop na Kastila mahigit isang siglo na ang.nakalipas.

Ang longganisa ay popular na pagkain sa Espanya, na kung saan ay tinatawag itong chorizo, isang "fermented at cured meat" na isinilid sa malinis na maliliit na bituka ng baboy.

Popular din ang longganisa sa iba't -ibang bansa tulad ng Portugal kung saan ang tawag dito ay chourico, sa Malaysia kung saan kilala ito bilang satay o sate, at lap cheong o lachang naman sa bansang China.

Abala ang mga trauinors sa pagpapakita ng paraan ng paggawa ng longganisa at tocino.

Ayon kina Agtarap at Agbao, mayroon ng ibat-ibang flavor na gamit sa longganisa, kaya mayroon sa kanilang manamis-namis, maasim-asim, o medyo maanghang. Puwede na ring gumawa ng "skinless longganisa" gamit ang cling wrap bilang hulmaan.

Ayon sa isa sa mga nagsanay na si Maria Alves Apostol, hindi na siya alinlangan na sya gawing negosyo ang longganisa at tocino dahil sa mga natutunan.

Ayon naman kay Aprilyn Milo, masaya siya sa kanyang natutunan dahil pwede na nyang ipagluto ng mga ito ang kanyang asawa at anak pag-uwi nya.

Nagpasalamat din si Lilibeth Joy Mendoza at iba pang kasali  sa CARD sa mga programang ibinibigay nito sa manggagawa at sa mga trainor  na walang sawang ibinabahagi ang kanilang kaalaman.

Magkaroon muli ng pagsasanay pangkabuhayan ang CARD HK sa ika-10 ng Hunyo, Linggo; at sa ika-23 ng Hunyo na isang Sabado.

Sa mga gustong dumalo, tumawag sa telepono 95296392 o 54238196.

HK OFWs protest anew against Labatt dela Torre’s recall

By The SUN

Some 200 OFWs staged another rally outside the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai on Apr 8 to protest the recall of Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre for reasons that remain unclear.

200 OFWs from various organizations joined the rally

In a story published in the South China Morning Post on the same day, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said it was President Duterte who ordered the investigation of Labatt dela Torre. However, Bello again failed to clarify what the accusations against Dela Torre were.

Protesters clearly did not buy Bello’s latest explanation for the recall. They booed his claim in the SCMP report and called him a “liar” for not giving a straight answer to what had prompted his decision to recall Dela Torre on Mar 26 “with immediate effect”. 

They also hinted that corruption was the real reason for the recall, which was ordered with a full year still left on the labor attache’s three-year term.

“Serbisyo, serbisyo, hindi negosyo” was a chant that was repeated throughout the hour-long protest that was punctuated at one stage by a minute-long noise barrage.

The labor attaché himself remained puzzled on what his supposed misdeeds were, saying he was never told of any charges against him.

“I wish I knew so I could clear my name,” Dela Torre has told The SUN.

In a hurriedly called meeting last Saturday, Apr 7, acting labor attaché Ma Nena German was reportedly overheard telling POLO staff that the protests against dela Torre’s recall were “useless” because he had already been told to return to Manila by Apr 10.

But Dela Torre disproved this, saying he was yet to receive word on when he is expected back in Manila, although he has already cleared up his desk and has turned over the post to German, who was designated officer-in-charge by Bello.

Pending an order on when he should return to the Home Office, Dela Torre has decided to stay put.

On Thursday, Apr 12, President Duterte is meeting with Filipino community leaders, many of whom have vowed to take up the cudgels for Dela Torre. The Filcom representatives also said they would try to clarify whether it was really Duterte himself who ordered Dela Torre’s investigation, and if true, why.

Protesters came from across the political divide

At the protest, many of the speakers again extolled Dela Torre for working hard to protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong.

Suzette Bagatua, an officer of Global Alliance HK and volunteer at POLO, said every worker knows what Dela Torre has done to help them, foremost of which was his unilateral decision to ban dangerous window cleaning. The initiative was eventually adopted by the Hong Kong government in its standard work contract for foreign helpers.

“Huwag lang po sana biglain angpagpapauwi sa ating labor attaché. Bigyan po sana ng tamang hustisya, tamang paraan ng imbestigasyon kung bakit. Matatanggap namin itong lahat basta nasa tamang paraan,” Bagatua said.

Nootenboom called dela Torre a
dedicated public servant

Another speaker, Pieter Nootenboom of the Knights of Rizal, expressed disgust at the recall of Dela Torre, and earlier of his deputy, Henry Tianero, who he said were both very dedicated public officials serving the workers.

Bello, who had apparently underestimated the backlash from OFWs in Hong Kong, had earlier cited varying reasons for sacking Dela Torre.

He said the probe on Dela Torre which he ordered in late February came as a result of a complaint, but did not specify who made it, or what it was all about. He also has been unable to answer queries on why the investigation was conducted while the attaché was on holiday in the Philippines.

However, various reports quoted him later as saying that the investigation was in response to charges of “favoritism” in granting agency accreditation leveled at Dela Torre.

Bello also cited as reason Dela Torre’s act of granting overseas employment certificates to OFWs in Shenzhen. However, even Consulate officials say there is nothing irregular with the said act.

Dela Torre said it could have been his refusal to approve additional job orders for bar dancers after his staff who did a surprise inspection found the 25 Filipinas whose job orders he had cleared were wearing skimpy outfits in the pub where they worked.

He said the women were deployed by Williams Production (HK) Limited, a Filipino supplier of entertainers in Hong Kong’s red light districts.

 “I think ‘favoritism’ is a charge that they are floating to hide the fact that the real issue here is my disapproval of the (job orders) for bar dancers,” Dela Torre said, adding that he did not remember having refused any accreditation.

“In fact, I have recently installed a new system of accreditation called 8Ps to take away the discretionary aspect of the accreditation process and make it more transparent and more in tune with ethical recruitment standards,” he said.

He said Williams is not a recruitment agency but a direct employer or supplier of dancers.

A second batch of 63 job orders for dancers submitted by Spear International Manpower and Trading were approved by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on Oct 18 last year.

Dela Torre said that was the batch he did not approve, a clear indication that the POEA could override his decision.

As of Apr 6, three batches of 123 verified job orders for dancers to Hong Kong, including the batch from Spear, were posted on the website.

The POEA approved 32 such job orders from Archangel Global Solutions Inc on Feb 21 this year, after allowing a batch of 28 from the same agency on Jan 22.

In a post on his Facebook page, Dela Torre reminded his detractors of the law of karma.

“We all reap what we sow. If you sow kindness and good deeds, it will come back to you in greater measure. If you, however, sow treachery, duplicity and bad faith, your karma will make you regret the actions you have taken. If you did everything for money, your punishment will be ten-fold,” the labor attaché said.

“I am just glad that in the bosom of the Filipino communities I have served as labor attaché, I found warmth and comfort and affirmation. How many labor attachés can say that?” he asked.

Film a tribute to DHs caring for elderly – director

The audience that watched Martika at the Consulate.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Minfa Gervacio, the Filipina domestic helper who has become a movie celebrity in Hong Kong, was so unique that RTHK would not have been able to shoot its TV movie “Martika” if the production team did not find her.

That was what director Wong Fei-pang said about the 32-year-old maid from El Nido, Palawan, whom he directed in the starring role in the one-hour episode of the series “Below the Lion Rock”.

The movie is also an eye-opener for the need to provide domestic helpers training on care-giving for old people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The young director said he was inspired to do the movie after observing the relationship between domestic helpers and elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease during his visit to a home for the aged.

“The film’s starting point is the domestic helper, and the relationship between us and the domestic helpers is very important for me. It is very important for me that you guys are facing some problems but you are not alone. I think this is the whole important message of the film,” Wong told The SUN after the film's screening at the Consulate on Mar 25.

Minfa Gervacio receives a certificate from Consul General Tony Morales.

The movie, which aired in December last year and featured the vital yet undervalued role of a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong society, has unexpectedly turned the simple and unassuming Gervacio into an instant celebrity.

“I don’t think the ‘Martika’ would be the same because she was so unique, for her own story, for her voice, for the singing. Also, because if we didn’t find Minfa to do this, I don’t think we could have shot that movie so smoothly,” Wong said.

The Consulate's conference room was packed with more than 50 viewers, including OFWs, diplomatic staff and local media for the 2pm second screening of “Martika”. Consul General Tony Morales decided to show the movie as the highlight of the Consulate's celebration of National Women’s Month.

About the same number of people came for the 10am screening of the full-length version of the
movie at the invitation of the Consulate.

Wong, Gervacio and her employer Sanders Ho were in the morning showing, but Ho could not stay on for the second screening because she had an overseas business trip in the afternoon, the newbie actress said.

Congen Morales, who joind the first screening, noted that many of those in the audience could relate to the lead actress’ situation.

“I think this is a good opportunity also for us to realize that Filipino household service workers are appreciated and recognized. We are not invincible,” Morales said.

He said the Filipinos here are not just workers but “human beings with their own sets of challenges and issues” and they sometimes end up interacting with the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease who help open their eyes to their mutual vulnerability.

Gervacio thanked Morales for giving her the confidence to come out and show “Martika” to fellow workers, explaining that she was initially afraid to be identified as the star of the film because of strict Hong Kong government rules for helpers’ activities. This was why she had to use the name Selena M. Gomez on screen, and in some of her earlier press interviews.

In the question and answer session, Lorna Pagaduan, president of the Filipina Nurses Association, said that in Hong Kong, Alzheimer’s and dementia are now recognized as diseases that are part of ageing. There are now institutions where afflicted patients can obtain care.

In the Philippines, they are not so recognized as diseases so care of elderly sufferers is provided by family members, she said.

Pagaduan said that in the movie, Martika was obviously aware the old man was sick and felt she was duped as she was not warned about it beforehand.

But had she been equipped with knowledge about the disease, she could have provide better love and care to her elderly ward.

2 Filipinas chase dead employer's estate for $100k

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two Filipina domestic workers whose elderly employer took her own life in January are claiming more than $100,000 against the estate of the deceased for unpaid wages and other money due them.

But during a hearing of their claim at the Labour Tribunal on Apr 6, no representative appeared on behalf of the deceased employer, Fung Yuk-mei.

Presiding officer Catherine Cheng told claimants Cleofe Quintella and Amalia Tongga their case cannot move forward unless they find out who the executor or administrator of Fung’s assets was.

The two were told to go to the Probate Registry to search for Fung’s name and find out if any application for grant of probate or letter of administration has been received by the office.

“If the deceased died with a will, there should be a particular person named as the executor. When one dies, the executor should apply for probate authority. When a person dies without a will, there should be a person who will administer the assets of the deceased,” Cheng said.

Quintella has a claim totaling $65,438 against the female employer while Tongga is claiming $41,039.

Quintella is seeking payment for three months of arrears in wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays, annual leave and air ticket. Tongga is claiming one month’s unpaid wages, long service pay, unused statutory holidays and air ticket.

The two told Cheng the claims were computed by Labour officers who they approached after the employer was found dead in her bedroom on Jan. 29, with a pan of burnt charcoal beside her.

Tongga said Fung had no next of kin, as she had been living alone when she hired Quintella in 1982 and Tongga in 1985. The only relative she had was a niece, who allegedly told them she knew nothing about the deceased’s assets.

The helper told Cheng that police who investigated the suicide had collected cash and jewelry they found in the victim’s room, as well as a letter whose contents were not disclosed to them.

Cheng said all she could do was adjourn the case until such time that Quintella and Tongga could supply her with the name and address of the executor or administrator of Fung’s assets.

The two helpers went straight to the Probate Registry after the hearing but, when contacted by The SUN, said they could not find Fung’s name on the register.

Tinakbuhan ng utangerang kababayan

Inis na inis si Myra, 49 taong gulang na Ilongga at dalaga, tuwing naalala ang ginawang pang-uuto sa kanya ng isang kababayan at dating kaibigan na tinakbuhan ang utang sa kanya.

Napilitan siyang mangutang dahil gustong tulungan ang kanyang hipag na may kanser sa bituka. Hindi niya kasi matagalan na makita ang pamimilipit sa sakit ng hipag tuwing inaatake ng sakit.

Dahil ang kababayan niyang si Dalia ay VIP sa isang financing company ay pumayag si Myra na tulungan siya sa pag apply ng loan. Madali nga ang paglabas ng kanyang loan pero pilit nakihati si Dalia sa utang.

Nakiusap si Myra na kung puwede ay isang libo lang ang kunin nito pero nagpilit si Dalia na $3k ang ibigay na parte niya. Ang usapan nila ay $383 kada buwan ang parte ni Dalia sa utang na babayaran nila ng 12 buwan, pero nakadalawang hulog pa lang ito nang biglang maglaho.

Tiyempong nakasalubong niya minsan ang isang kaibigan ni Dalia at doon niya nalaman na na-terminate ito dahil sa paghahabol sa kanya ng mga kolektor sa utang. Ayon pa dito, apat na utangan ang hindi binayaran ni Dalia.

Walang nagawa si Myra kundi bayaran ang buong hulog sa utang dahil ayaw niyang magawa sa manunubang si Dalia.  Nitong Marso ay nabalitaan ni Myra na nakabalik na si Dalia sa Hong Kong kaya pinadalhan niya ng text ang pinsan nito para maningil. Sinagot lang daw ito ni Dallia na wala na siyang pakialam at bayaan na lang siya.

Sa ngayon ay tapos na sa pagbabayad si Myra pero galit na galit pa rin siya kay Dalia. Natuto na rin siya na huwag basta-basta magtiwala kahit sa kaibigan pa. Si Myra ay nakalimang kontrata na sa kanyang mga amo na Briton at Canadian at nakatira sa Sai Kung.- Merly Bunda 

Biglang walang utang

Nagkaroon ng matinding pangangailangan sa pera ang tiyahin ni Wilma nang magkasakit ng malubha ang asawa nito. Dahil hindi sapat ang sahod nito sa mga gastusn ng pamilya, kabilang ang pagpapaaral ng mga anak, ay nakiusap ito kay Wilma na garantiyahan siya sa pag utang sa bangko.

Hindi nakatanggi si Wilma dahil ang tiyahin  ang naghanap ng amo para sa kanya sa Hong Kong Maayos ang naging usapan nila ngunit pagkatapos ng isang buwan ay hindi na nagbayad ang kanyang tiya kaya nagpadala ng sulat ang pautangan kay Wilma.

Sa sumunod na araw ng Linggo ay sinadya  niya ang tiyahin upang sabihin na may dumating na paalala mula sa utangan at kailangan nang bayaran ang utang kundi ay tataas msyado ang interest nito.

Imbes humingi ng dispensa ay pinagmumura pa siya ng tiyahin at sinabi na wala siyang utang na loob. Umiiyak sa sama ng loob si Wilma dahil sa pagpapahiya sa kanya ng tiyahin sa harap ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

Dahil sa takot na materminate ay napilitan siyang magbayad ng utang na hindi naman niya pinakinabangan.Abot langit ang kanyang pagsisi sa pagpayag na maggaratiya sa utang ng isang manloloko na naturingan pa namang kamag-anak niya.

Si Wilma ay dalaga at tubong Samar na nagtratrabaho sa pamilyang Intsik at Hapon sa HK Park View. - Ellen Asis

Mura nga, palpak naman

Nagkamali pero natuto si Rudy, 42, Ilokano, matapos makabili ng cell phone sa Shamsuipo na hindi niya napakinabangan dahil naka sim lock..

Tuwang tuwa pa naman siya dahil nabili niya ito ng 40% sa presyo ng bago. Mura daw kasi, kaya lang sa bandang huli siya ang nagmura.

Dahil excited siya ay hindi na niya naisipang ipa testing, at hindi pansin na sa lapag lang nagpuwesto ang tindero. Kaya pagbalik niya ay wala na doon ang pinagbilhan. 

Ayaw naman niyang ipa unlock ang sim at mahal na raw. Ayon sa isa niyang kaibigan na kinuwnetuhan  "Dapat isinaksak mo ang sim card sa harap mismo ng nagbenta," payo nito sa kanya.

Ngayon ay hindi na maiiisahan si Rudy.  Kapag bumibili siya ng gadget ay tinetesting muna niya at sinisipat mabuti. Kung cellphone ay kinokonekta niya sa kanyang wifi gamit ang hotspot. Lagi na rin siyang may baon na power bank para masiguro na nag cha charge ito ng mabuti. Bukod dito ay kinabisado niya ang mga bagong sistema.

Ang binibili niya ay iyong hindi lalampas sa isang taon ang operating system at malaki ang memory para mas maraming ma-store na data. Dapat din ay walang mga gasgas o crack para magamda pa ring tingnan kahit gamit na.

Kahit walang guarantee, sigurado namamg subok na daw nung unang may-ari ang kalidad ng telepono.

Nakakatuwaan niyang bumili ng mga gamit na telepono dahil karamihan ay mga bago pa dahil mahilig magpalit ng gamit ang mga taga Hong Kong. Angkop din ito sa mga bata pa na hindi pa maingat sa gamit. Karamihan sa mga binibili niya ay pinapadala sa mga kaanak sa Pilipinas, o hiling ng ilang kasamahan sa trabaho. Bale naging libangan na rin ito ni Rudy —George Manalansan

Filipina mom to stand trial for allegedly abandoning baby

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina mother wold face trial on Mauy 31 after she pleaded not guilty on Mar 19 to a charge of ill-treatment of a child for allegedly abandoning her year-old baby boy on a street in Wanchai on Oct 19 last year.

Magistrate Peter Law set the trial date after the prosecution asked for time to prepare and to contact the witness.

The prosecution did not mention whether it had received two psychiatric reports on the mental condition of defendant Angelita Labador that it was supposedly waiting for previously.

A female neighbor of Labador reported to the police after seeing the mother leave the baby boy on the pavement next to a rubbish bin at 280 Queen’s Road East.

Police found the baby conscious at 6:49 pm and sent him to Ruttonjee Hospital for a check-up.

Officers later nabbed Labador, who was said to be hiding nearby.

Labador is staying in a shelter run by the International Social Services Hong Kong, which had also assisted her since her arrest.

Her child is in the custody of the Social Welfare Department, the court was told.

2 Pinays tagged as likely victims of UK visa scam

By Vir B. Lumicao

Police are investigating a group of people who allegedly helped two Filipino domestic helpers apply for a British work visa using forged documents purportedly supplied by their employers.

This was learned from a source familiar with the investigation who confirmed that the probe was directed at a certain “Miss Chan and other unknown people”, believed to be members of an organized crime group.

An officer of the Consulate's assistance to nationals section said the two Filipinas appear to be victims of an illegal recruitment syndicate offering jobs in Britain.

Both sources ruled out any involvement of the employers of the two workers, Criselda M. Bantasan and Cristy C. Par, in the fraudulent use of their documents. Bantasan and Par’s case has been transferred to the District Court in Wanchai, where it is scheduled for hearing on Apr 3.

The two helpers appeared on Mar 15 before Magistrate Peter Law in Eastern Court, where an amended charge was read to them.

Bantasan and Par face one count each of “conspiracy to use copies of false instruments”, nearly two years after they submitted the fake documents to staff at the United Kingdom Visa Application Centre at Leighton Centre in Causeway Bay.

The two, represented in court by a lawyer, are out on bail and staying in the homes of their respective employers, who also bailed them out.

It is alleged that on April 1, 2016, Bantasan went to the UK Visa Application Centre on the 15th floor of Leighton Centre in Causeway Bay and applied for an overseas domestic helper visa.

Bantasan allegedly conspired with a certain “Ms Chan” and other unknown persons to submit copies of fake papers to UK VAC staff Lo So-han to support her visa application.

The police report said the spurious documents were an ANZ Bank statement of Cheng Wing-ki, his letter to the British Consulate, an employer’s statement by Cheng, the Australian passports of Cheng and Ng Charmaine Oi-yau, and an overseas domestic helper contract between Bantasan and Cheng.

On May 30, 2016, Par also submitted fake documents to UK visa staff Cheng Yau-sun. The documents were also allegedly falsified in connivance with “Ms Chan” and other unknown persons.

The documents included a supposed Dah Sing Bank statement of Wong Wan-kee Winnie, a letter to the British Consulate that Wong had purportedly written, her employer’s statement, New Zealand passport, and an overseas domestic helper contract between Par and Wong.

The report said both Bantasan and Par submitted the copies of the documents which they allegedly “knew or believed to be false, with the intention of inducing (Cheng and So) to accept them as genuine” and grant them a work visa for overseas domestic helpers.

Tribunal awards maid’s $26,000 claim vs. employer

By Vir B. Lumicao 

A Filipino maid who had lodged labor cases against her employer for alleged illegal deductions and maltreatment won close to $26,000 in claims against the latter at the Labour Tribunal on Mar 23.

Tribunal presiding officer Daniel Tang granted Ariane Dimacali’s claim against Lau Wo-ying after the employer failed for the second time to attend the hearing, this time allegedly because she was on a trip abroad.

The resolution of the Tribunal case was a double victory of sorts for Dimacali, 28, against Lau, who allegedly made illegal deductions from her salary for every breakage or wasted food, including vegetables, in addition to maltreatment and other abuses.

In late January, the Tseung Kwan O police dropped their investigation into a theft case that the employer’s daughter had filed against Dimacali on Nov 13 last year after they argued over the way the maid sliced cucumbers.

Dimacali had said in submissions to the Labour Department and the Tribunal that on the same day Lau terminated her without notice and without paying her anything, including her November salary.

Lau’s absence on Mar 23 obviously incensed Tang, who dismissed a woman claiming to be Lau’s daughter and wanted to represent the defendant.

“Why didn’t Madam Lau inform the court that she would not be available for today’s hearing so this court can make a direction?” asked the presiding officer, looking upset.

The woman, Miss Lo, said she had faxed a message on Mar 22 informing the court that Lau could not attend the hearing because she was out of town.

Tang said as Lau was absent again, the court would have to decide on the domestic worker’s total claim of $25,974 in the employer’s absence.

The presiding officer told Dimacali to give evidence, and afterwards granted the helper’s claim of one month’s wage of $4,310 in lieu of notice, unpaid wages of $5,243.83, illegal deductions totaling $9,103, one-way air fare of $1,115, travel allowance of $100, severance pay of $6,045.80 and $190 for her visa extension cost.

The total award was $25,926.29.

Tang said the Tribunal would send Dimacali the formal award notice after seven days.

Whether Lau would pay up is another matter since the Filipina just had seven days left on her visa. She is, however, determined to look for a new employer.

On Feb 20, Tang told Dimacali he wanted to decide on the case and award her claim, but was adamant about seeing a proof that the police case filed against her by Lau’s daughter Chris Ng Sze-wai had already been dropped.

She was accused by Ng of stealing a necklace purportedly worth $170,000, which the maid said she might have accidentally dumped in a rubbish bin at Quarry Bay Park when she emptied her bag of crumpled tissue.

The worker said the police told her on Jan 27 that they had dismissed her case and had returned her $600 bail money, but Tang insisted on a proof.

The police would not give her a clearance personally but explained they would send it to the Tribunal if the Labour Department made a formal request. The Tribunal received the document shortly before the last hearing.

Maswerte ka ba sa Abril?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Kailangang gusto mo rin ang trabaho, hindi lang dahil malaking tulong ito. Aakuin mo ang pagiging lider ng mga kasamahan, at paninindigan mo ang awtoridad mo. Maging positibo sa pananaw sa buhay at iwasan ang mga negatibong bagay. Maganda ang pagsasama kung makokontrol mo ang pagiging kritikal sa maraming bagay. Ugaliing kumain ng balanseng pagkain at ipasuri ang iyong cholesterol. Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 25 at 40.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Piliting maging positibo sa kabila ng kalungkutang nararanasan ngayon. Hirap ka rin sa pagtulog, subukang uminom ng pampakalmang tsaa gaya ng peppermint bago matulog. Magtiwala sa iyong intuisyon, sigurado at epektibo ito. Maswerteng panahon ito sa paglipat ng bagong tirahan o pagbuo ng tahanan. Malaki ang tsansa na magiging masaya ang pagsasama kung mapapapakasal sa linggong ito.   Lucky numbers: 20, 23, 39 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Mag-ingat sa ilusyon: pangatawanan ang desisyong ginawa at panindigan ang opinyon. Madali kang mapagod at malapit sa disgrasya gaya ng pagkahulog at aksidente, ingatan ang kalusugan. Kailangang harapin ang bagong problema o pagbabago sa trabaho. Gagawa ka ng paraan upang mapalakas ang pagkabuklod ng pamilya at maayos ang problema. Mag-usap ng masinsinan at pakingggan ang sasabihin ang bawa’t isa. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 22 at 45.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Tamang panahon na magkaroon ng pag-uusap sa mga anak. Masaya ang pagsasama at makakaasa ka sa buong atensyon ng kapartner. Posibleng makaalitan ang isang kaibigan, huwag hayaang lumala ito. Bantayang mabuti ang gastusin at gumawa ng naaayong budget. Alagaan ang sarili upang hindi tumanda agad. Kilangan ang malinis na pamumuhay, bantayan ang kinakain at iwasang ma-stress.  Lucky numbers: 17, 21, 25 at 41.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa sa gitna ng problema sa mahal sa buhay, malalampasan mo rin ito. Sa kabilang banda, ang love life ay magiging makulay. Maaaring sumpungin ng allergy at pagtatae sa mga panahong ito. Subukang magplano ng proyekto kasama ang mga kaibigan, kaysa sayanging ang oras sa inuman at mga kalokohan. Lucky numbers: 11, 16, 29 at 33.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Mag-ingat sa mga delikadong sitwasyon, gaya ng pagkakamali at pagkaantala ng sulat, hindi pagkakaintindihan sa oras at lugar ng pagkikipagkita, at iba pang dahilan. Maging maingat sa pakikipag-transaksyon tungkol sa pera o ari-arian. Dagdagan ang pasensya at unawa sa karelasyon. Magagamit mo ng husto ang magandang personalidad upang mapasaya ang mga kaibigan at dumami pa ang kakilala na makakatulong sa iyo.  Lucky numbers: 9, 18, 37 at 41.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
Marami kang makikilalang pwedeng mapalapit sa iyo, ang kailangan mo lang gawin ay pumili. Iwasan ang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon o sumugal sa stock market kung hindi kabisado. Kailangan mong pakalmahin ang sarili upang mabawi ang katahimikan ng isip. Walang matatanggap kung hindi pinagpaguran, ituloy ang laban! Ipipilit mo ang awtoridad sa malalapit sa iyo, pero nanaisin mo ring makasundo sila. Lucky numbers: 10, 15, 34 at 41.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Itutuon mo ang lahat ng atensyon mo sa isang bagay upang makamit ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Magkakaproblema sa pera, pero maaayos mo rin ito. Maiiwasan ang kumplikasyon sa pagsasama kung susubukan mo na mas maging mapagbigay kaysa laging tumanggap. Dahil sa labis na pagse-seryoso sa lahat ng bagay kaya bumibigat ang pakiramdam mo. Ipakita ang pagmamahal sa anak upang mawala sa isip nila na wala kang pakialam.  Lucky numbers: 8, 12, 28 at 36.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Kailangang magsalita at ipakita ang pagmamahal sa karelasyon. Lahat ng kontratang papasukan ay maganda ang magiging resulta. Magpakatotoo ka at huwag gayahin ang ibang tao. Isa sa mga anak mo ay ang kailangan mong pakinggan at unawain. Ang alitan sa kapitbahay ay maaayos sa diplomasya at respeto, pero kung hindi susunod sa usapan, daanin ito sa sulat. Lucky numbers: 9, 16, 34 at 37.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
May sapat kang tapang at sipag upang ituloy ang binabalak mo. Upang mapanatiling masaya ang pagsasama, magpakita ng kasiyahan at mag-ingat sa labis na pagseselos. Bawasan ang sobrang maanghang at maasim na pagkain. Maganda ang pasok ng pera ngayon, pero mag-ingat na masaid agad ito dahil sa walang patid na paggastos. Lucky numbers: 6, 17, 31 at 43.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
Masaya at mae-enjoy ng husto ang love life ngayon. Kahit hindi ka mataba, iwasan pa rin ang pagkain ng sobrang matatamis, matataba at maalat na pagkain. Mahahanap mo ang katahimikan ng loob ngayon. Sa pamilya, huwag akuin ang lahat ng desisyon, hingin ang opinyon ng asawa mo. Maswerte ka sa papasukan mong trabaho o negosyo, pero mag-ingat na lumaki ang ulo dahil ito rin ang magpapabagsak sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 21, 26, 31 at 48.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Magandang pagkakataon upang makahanap ng suporta at bagong kakilala na makakatulong sa trabaho mo. Magiging emosyonal ka pagdating sa love life, pero kaya mong kontrolin ang sarili at makagawa ng maayos na desisyon. Ang pagbabantay sa mga anak ay aakalain nilang tanda ng pagiging istrikto mo, magpasensya muna. Angkop ang panahon sa pagbibiyahe, pero kung may balak na manirahan sa ibang bayan, ipagpaliban muna ito at ayusin ang mga problema. Lucky numbers: 14, 22, 37 at 41.

Protesters denounce Duterte terror list

By Vir B. Lumicao

Militant groups and peace advocates in Hong Kong have protested the terror listing of more than 600 people critical of the Duterte government’s human rights policies.

The protest on Mar 21 led by the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines was held at the lobby of the Consulate under the watchful eyes of over a dozen policemen.

Leaders of Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines take turns denouncing Duterte government policies and inclusion of 600 critics in the terrorist list,  during their protest at the lobby of the Consulate.

“Nais naming ipaabot sa ating gobyerno, itigil na po ang pandarahas, itigil na po ang pamamaslang, itigil na rin po yung pag-aakusa sa mga kritiko na sila ay mga terorista,” said Bayan Hong Kong & Macau chairman Eman Villanueva.

“Sa halip, pakinggan ang kanilang mga hinaing, pakinggan ang kanilang mga inihaharap na mga problema at resolbahin ang ito,Villanueva said, adding that there won’t be any protest if these issues are gone.

He later joined eight other rally leaders in a closed-door dialogue with Deputy Consul General Roderick Atienza.

Rally leaders in a closed-door dialogue with Deputy Consul General Roderick Atienza (right).

The protest focused on the inclusion of more than 600 human rights defenders nd government critics in a list of "terrorists" filed by the Department of Justice through senior assistant state prosecutor Peter Ong at a regional court in Manila on Feb 21.

The petition not only seeks to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army as terrorist organizations, it also named individuals as their supposed leaders or members. These include the dead, missing and members of paramilitary units accused of killing Lumads in Mindanao.

“This is a brazen and malicious attack of the Duterte government against leaders of progressive and patriotic organizations and revolutionary forces who opted not to be silent in the face of anti-people policies and dubious campaign of President Duterte against illegal drugs and corruption,” the protesters said in a statement.

They said the petition filed at the regional trial court was an attempt to sow fear among Duterte critics and another step towards putting the country under martial law.

Included in the government's terror list is Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and former chairwoman of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Also on the list are leaders of indigenous people’s groups who are actively fighting to preserve ancestral domains and their right to self-determination.

After the dialogue, DCG Atienza told The SUN that the leaders "basically elaborated a bit more” on their concerns during their discussions.

He said the main issue was the DOJ's terror list, the suspended peace talks with the communist rebels, the impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and several other concerns.

The Consulate will relay the protesters’ demands to the government in Manila as is the normal practice, Atienza said. 

The rally was supported by Legislative Councilors Fernando Cheung (Labour Party) and Au Nok-hin (Pan-Democrat), Civil Human Rights Front, League of Social Democrats, and members of the clergy Fr. Franco Mella, Fr. Dwight dela Torre of the Philippine Independent Church, and Pastor Joram Calimutan of ICCP.

Pwede mong salihan ito

CARITAS PROGRAMS

Saturday Basic Cantonese
May 12 – Aug 25 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic minorities in HK with HKID
Fee     : HK$100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre. G/F., No. 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong.

Saturday Basic Chinese Writing
Jun3 9 – Sept 22, 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 : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Shek Kip Mei Centre. Rm. 107, 1/F, Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, 17 Tong Yam Street, Shek Kip Mei, KLN
For queries, call 2147-5988.

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 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.

What's on where

Scriptwriting Workshop with Ricky Lee
A rare opportunity to learn from the Philippines' foremost screenwriter, novelist and author
Apr 5 (Thursday, Ching Ming Holiday) 9am - 5pm, 18th floor POLO Office,Mass Mutual Tower, Wanchai
Co-organized by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre and The SUN

Child Care Workers Professional Training
Apr 8 (Sunday), 12nn-5pm;Apr 14 (Saturday), 1-5pm
Polo Community Hall,18th floor, Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai.Those shortlisted must be at the venue one hour before the start to register. Maximum No of Participants: 50

President Duterte Visit
Apr 12 (Thursday), 3pm - 9pm, Venue to be announced
Open to everyone but registration with the Philippine Consulate is required. To register, send an email to prrd.hk2018@gmail.com and attach a copy of your passport's data page, HKID, and mobile phone number. Registration ends on Apr. 2

Saturday Free Child Care
The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on the following dates:
    Mar 29-April 2- Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday
    April 5  (Thursday)  - Ching Ming Festival
    April 12 (Thursday) - President Duterte's Visit
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)

CARD OFW HK Training Schedule
June 10, Livelihood Training;June 23, Saturday, Financial Literacy.Venue: Bayanihan Centre Kennedy Town
To register, call 95296392 or 54238196

“Singing While Filipino: Reflections on Authenticity and Labour” 
Lecturer: Dr. Anjeline de Dios, Lingnan University
April 9 (Monday), B5-417, AC1, Yeung Kin Man Academic Building, City
University, HK. Organized by: South East Asia Research Centre, CityU HK.
Open to the public

2 Filipinas with resident children fail to stop deportation

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two Filipina former helpers who overstayed after giving birth in Hong Kong have failed in their case challenging the Immigration director’s orders for their deportation.

The two mothers, identified only as RMA and GDC in separate cases that the High Court heard jointly on Jan 27, 2016, sought the review to prevent being sent home so they could be with their resident children.

In a judgment on Mar 23, High Court Judge Thomas Au dismissed the applications, saying the applicants failed in all their grounds for seeking a judicial review. 

“In relation to the RMA judicial review, I would also set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure,” the judge said.

The Court of First Instance took on the cases of RMA and GDC jointly because the first applicants are both mothers who have overstayed in Hong Kong and the second applicants are their children sired by Hong Kong resident fathers and born here.

RMA entered Hong Kong in 1998 to work as a domestic helper but her contract was prematurely terminated by her employer on June 28, 2002, the court said.

At the time, she had borne a child by her Filipino lover, a Hong Kong permanent resident. She gave birth on Jul 22, 2003 to SC, the second applicant, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident.

The man left both mother and child and got married in the Philippines in 2006. RMA surrendered to Immigration with SC in April 2007 and both were allowed bail.

RMA initially told Immigration she wanted to go home with her child but changed her mind and stayed on. The Immigration Director issued a removal order on Feb 14, 2008. She later cohabited with a Nigerian torture claimant with whom she had a daughter in 2011 and a son in 2012.

Applicant GDC, like RMA, came to Hong Kong in 1999 to work as a helper but was prematurely terminated in September 2010 when she wanted to go home “for rest”. She was pregnant at the time.

She applied for an extension of her visitor visa on the ground she was pregnant and needed to see a doctor every month.  She was allowed to stay until Oct 1, 2010 but she then overstayed.

GDC gave birth in January 2011 to JDS, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident receiving CSSA and attending school here. On Oct 15, 2011, she applied for a visa extension but it was then discovered that she had overstayed for over a year.

She told Immigration she was afraid of going home as her husband and parents did not know she got pregnant. When her husband found out, he threatened to kill her. She surrendered when she realized it was difficult to hide.  Her visa extension was refused.

In an interview with Immigration in late October 2011, GDC indicated she wanted to go home “as soon as possible because [she] wanted to settle with [her] husband in Philippines if he could accept [her]”.

In January 2012, she also lodged a torture claim, saying her husband would kill her and JDS if they returned to the Philippines. The torture claim was still being processed then.

Gladys Li SC of Daly and Associates represented the applicants in both judicial reviews.

The two cases were granted leave for judicial review on Mar 30, 2015 and the Immigration Director filed his evidence opposing the application about five months later on Aug 19, 2015 (in the RMA judicial review) and Aug 12, 2015 in the GDC judicial review.

The Director’s complaints of material non-disclosure in RMA’s case are these: She failed to disclose when she made her ex parte application for leave on a number of occasions.

“RMA is guilty of material non-disclosure and the leave application should be set aside also on this basis,” Judge Au said.

He said the applicants failed in all their grounds of judicial review and dismissed the applications on merits.  In relation to the RMA judicial review, he set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure.

He ordered that the costs be taxed if the parties failed to reach agreement 

Matandang pasaway

Abot-abot lagi sa pagkukuwento si Mona, 28, kapag ang alaga niyang matanda ang pinag-uusapaan.

Hirap na hirap daw siya dahil lagi siyang itinataboy ng matanda na 87 taong gulang at medyo mahina at bingi na. Gayunpaman, lagi daw siya nitong sinasabhan na hindi siya kailangan at ayaw siyang isama kapag lumalabas gayong ang kabilin-bilinan ng mga anak nito ay lagi niyang sasamahan.

May pagkakataon pa na dakdak ng dakdak ang matanda na parang sirang plaka. Sumasakit daw ang kalooban niya kapag paulit-ulit nitong sinasabi na ikuha na lang siya ng parttime. Lagi din daw kinukuwenta ng matanda ang kanyang kinakain, ang nagagamit na tubig pag naliligo at pati ng kuryente. Lagi daw siyang pinpatayan ng ilaw kahit alam nito na ginagamit pa niya.

Pero minsan naawa din si Mona sa matanda dahil sinasabi nito na walang kuwenta ang anak niyang babae dahil hindi siya inaasikaso at hindi niya makasundo kahit sila ay nasa ilalim ng isang bubong. Hindi katulad ng manugang niyang babae na laging dinadalaw at inaasikaso ang magulang.

Minsan, lumabas ito mag-isa at dinaklot ng tatlong ligaw na matsing ang kanyang dalang pagkain. Natumba ang matanda sa kakaiwas at pagtatangka na hindi maaagaw ang kanyang dala, kaya umuwi itong umiiyak dahil sa mga galos sa siko at tuhod.

Sa mga pagkakataong ito ay awa ang namamayani kay Mona. Pero sandali lang ay balik na naman ang matanda sa pagiging sutil. Kailangan pa niyang pilitin na hagurin ang likod para lumuwag ang plema nito, at pati pag-inom ng gamot. Mahilig din daw itong kumain ng tira-tirang pagkain kahit may bagong luto, na para bang gusto nitong magkasakit.

Pilit namang hinahabaan ni Mona ang pasensiya dahil ayaw niyang mawalan ng trabaho. Alang-alang sa kanyang apat na taong gulang na anak ay pipilitin daw niyang magtiis pa sa nalalabing anim na buwan sa kanyang kontrata. - George Manalansan

Presyong ginto ang nabiling isda

Umuwing kinakabahan si Maricel dala-dala ang resibo sa nabiling isda na pagkamahal-mahal gayong hindi naman kalakihan.

Hindi kasi sila nagkaintindihan nung tindera. Ang dinig kasi niya ay $30 lang ang isdang itinuro at pinalinis. Ngunit nang iabot na niya ang $50 para ipambayad ay isinulat ng tindera sa papel ang tunay na presyo ng isda: $130 pala iyon.

Napanganga si Maricel pero kailangan niyang bayaran dahil napalinis na niya. Ubos agad ang budget niya para sa dalawang araw. Buong araw siyang pinagpawisan at hindi makapagtrabaho ng maayos dahil sa nagyari, hanggang dumating ang amo nya.

Kinakabahan na sinabi ni Maricel sa among lalaki ang pagkakamali, at ganoon na lang ang pasasalamat niya dahil tinawanan lang siya nito  at sinabing huwag nang mamroblema.

Baguhan pa lang si Maricel sa mga among taga Taipo, at may dalawa siyang alaga, isang 10 at isang walong taong gulang. Siya ay 24 taong gulang, dalaga, at taga Bulacan. Kahit mababait ang mga amo niya ay hindi pa rin maiwasan ni Maricel ang mag-alala dahil pareho pa silang nag aadjust. - Rodelia Villar

HK Police ‘elevates’ case vs Ester Ylagan

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ester P. Ylagan

The investigation into fraud and money laundering allegations against former employment agency owner  Ester P. Ylagan is now with Hong Kong Police's Regional Crime Unit.

This was revealed by police investigators at the Central Harbourfront station who conducted two full-day interviews on Mar. 11 and 18 with about  40 Filipina domestic workers who had complained against Ylagan.

"We have elevated the case to the Regional Crime Unit," said an investigator, indicating some progress in the two-year-old case.

The statement was confirmed by Edwina Antonio, case officer of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which is helping the OFWs pursue their claim against Ylagan.

"The police have temporarily stopped taking statements. They will inform us when they plan to resume this. The statement taking will then be transferred to the Admiralty police station," said Antonio.

About 100 OFWs first sought police help in July 2016 after Ylagan disappeared with some $2 million in fees she allegedly collected from them for non-existent jobs in Canada and Britain.

However, no action was taken in their case then because Ylagan beat them to the police with her own complaint about having been duped into transferring some $8 million to an unknown business partner in Burkina Faso.

Ylagan said in her complaint that a bigger part of the money had come from her own funds.

However, documents recently submitted to the police by a concerned group of investigators appeared to indicate Ylagan was probably involved in a serious case of money laundering.

The money trail apparently showed Ylagan had transferred millions of dollars through numerous remittances to countries as far apart as Nigeria. Turkey and Malaysia.

She was reportedly helped in transferring the money by close family members and her former staff at Emry's Service Staff Employment Agency.

The allegations are backed up by remittance slips shown to The SUN by the team of investigators led by lawyers.

However, where the money came from - apart from the fees paid by the job applicants - and where it went remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, investigators in Manila have also closed in on Ylagan, who also faces charges from family members of the OFW complainants for whom money was paid for the bogus jobs.

Investigators from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) have filed charges of syndicated illegal recruitment against her, a non-bailable offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Ylagan returned to Hong Kong in December last year after an absence of more than a year to file a case for deception against suspended barrister, Ody Lai, who she claimed had fraudulently acquired her Aberdeen flat worth $6.5 million at current rates.

Moves to reverse Labatt’s recall gain ground

By Daisy CL Mandap

Various groups in Hong Kong have initiated steps to get Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre remain in Hong Kong, despite orders for his immediate recall on Mar. 23 by Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Among the groups trying to reverse the order is United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) which has appealed to Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano for help.

Unifil spokesperson Eman Villanueva says Secretary Cayetano has given assurance that he will bring up the appeal directly with Bello.

Labatt Jalilo dela Torre makes an appearance at rally last Sunday, March 25.

Another group staunchly supporting Dela Torre reportedly met with Cayetano in Hong Kong on Mar 25 to ask for help, and submitted a joint petition by more than 30 Filcom organizations calling for the reversal of the recall order.

They have yet to get an update from Cayetano on their petition.

Both Cayetano and Bello are known to be among President Rodrigo Duterte's closest allies, and had worked closely with him during the 2016 campaign.

Another group is reportedly planning to present the Filcom's joint statement protesting the recall directly to President Duterte when he visits Hong Kong on Apr 12.

Yet another group, composed of non-Filipino students in Hong Kong , has started their own online signature campaign protesting dela Torre's recall.

The group that goes by the  name Students Against Fees and Exploitation, said it supported dela Torre's crackdown on rogue employment agencies.

Amid the outcry, The SUN sought Bello's reaction through SMS, and he replied with this statement, "I respect their iright to air their grievance but they (also) have to respect our mgt (management)/procedural due proess".

He declined to elaborate.

To other interviewers, Bello gave varying replies.  In one, he was quoted as saying dela Torre's recall was merely temporary.

This was the exact opposite of the letter he sent to Dela Torre on Mar. 23, which clearly stated: "In the interest of the service, you are hereby recalled to Home Office effective immediately."

Bello's letter also ordered Dela Torre to turn over all money, properties, equipment and accountable forms to Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German, indicating the recall was final.

In a separate interview with the Blas Ople Center, Bello reportedly said Dela Torre was found to have engaged in "favoritism" in approving accreditation requests by employment agencies.

Earlier, he also suggested Dela Torre had violated rules when he issued overseas employment certificates to Filipinos working in Shenzhen.

However, an officer at the Consulate told The SUN there was nothing anomalous in the practice.

But the real reason why dela Torre got into hot water was apparently his decision to reject a second job order for "entertainers" in Wanchai, after a surprise inspection found the women workers clad only in skimpy outfits.

Asked how he felt about Bello's statements suggesting he ws found guilty of some misdeed, Dela Torre said, "I'd be happy to answer the charges if they are made known to me."

He admitted being surprised by the immediate recall order, as he had not been formally informed that he was under investigation.

He did learn from his staff, however, that a top-level delegation from the Home Office had visited Hong Kong while he was away on vacation in February, to check on his performance.
He reiterated he didn't have any problems getting marching orders, but he didn't want to go under a cloud of doubt.

The moves came amid extensive media coverage given to Bello's unceremonious sacking of his HK man, who has won wide support for his crackdown on illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The interest heightened after a massive show of support given to dela Torre by various overseas Filipino workers groups in a protest held on Mar. 25.

Apart from the relentless posts on social media by various people, news organizations like Thomson-Reuters, South China Morning Post and Philippine TV networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network have all repoted on the case.

The Blas Ople Center also stirred interest when it hosted a news conference on Mar 26 where several  OFW groups extolled dela Torre and backed calls to retain him in Hong Kong.