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DH who falsified reason for termination gets 7-month jail

Posted on 08 July 2024 No comments
The accused was sentenced to 3 months in jail after refusing to implicate her agent 

Domestic helper Cherryl Danipog preferred not to implicate the employment agent who told her to change the reason for terminating her previous contract, an offence she has pleaded guilty to, rather than get a discount on her penalty.

So aside from the one-third discount she was entitled to for pleading guilty , Danipog did not get any more reductions on her punisment for two charges – making a false statement to gain an entry permit, and possessing a false instrument – and was sentenced last July 3 at Shatin Court to seven months in prison.

The sentencing had been put off because Danipog promised to testify against the agent who told her to change the cause of her original resignation to “husband will go in Brazil”, which she wrote on her application for permit to enter HK.  

TAWAG NA!

Her cooperation could have helped reduce her sentence, but the prosecutor said she refused to testify.

Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan sentenced her to nine months in prison for the first charge sand six months for the second. Because she pleaded  guilty in a hearing last June 5, the sentences were reduced to six and four months.

Based on the totality principle by which the two related offenses were weighed, she then ordered that the first three months of the second penalty overlap the first, resulting in a total of seven months.

Last June 5, Danipog admitted that she answered “husband will go in Brazil” when asked in the application form for entry permit, for her reason for termination.

She was prosecuted for giving the answer “knowing the same to be false or not believing the same to be true….”, which is a violation of the Immigration Ordinance,

The second charge – possessing a false instrument, a violation of the Crimes Ordinance – arose from having in her possession a notification of termination of an employment contract signed last Jan. 24, “which was false and which (she) knew or believed to be false.”

Since she had been detained since her arrest, Danipog was returned to jail to serve the rest of her sentence.

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Free exhibit on life and work of Anita Mui has 300,000th visitor

Posted on 07 July 2024 No comments

 

Anita Mui's iconic white gown which she wore at a concert

The ongoing exhibit at Heritage Museum featuring the life and times of Hong Kong superstar Anita Mui had its 300,000th visitor on Friday, July 5.

In honor of the occasion, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung, and prominent fashion and image designer and Mui’s close friend Eddie Lau, visited the museum to present a special gift pack to the landmark visitor, Miss Wong.

The souvenir pack included an exhibition poster autographed by Lau, a souvenir designed by him, an exhibition postcard, souvenirs of the "Hong Kong Pop 60+" exhibition, and two complimentary tickets of the "ART!ON POP" concert.

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The lucky recipient is said to come from a family of museum lovers and holds passes for museums run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Before visiting HKHM in Shatin, Miss Wong’s family also visited the Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Science Museum located in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Miss Wong said she loved Mui’s unique voice, singing skills and her movie "Wu Yen". Miss Wong was also deeply impressed by the costumes on display at the Timeless Diva: Anita Mui" exhibition especially the white wedding gown worn by Mui at her last concert in 2003.

The exhibition showcases 70 sets of precious items relating to the late diva, including Lau’s generous donation, including two iconic costumes she wore for a concert and another for an awards rites; trophies she won in music and films, and autographed vinyl records.

Videos of Mui's ever-changing images in music and movies are also featured at the exhibition.

Visitors may be able to listen to Mui's radio interviews while visiting the show

Visitors can scan the QR codes in the gallery to listen to Mui's radio interviews in the 1980s and 1990s to understand her thoughts and stories since her debut as a singer.

The public may enter for free at the exhibition which will run until September 2.

For details of the exhibition, please visit

https://hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid262.html

Apart from the Mui showcase the HKHM also includes as part of its permanent exhibition "Hong Kong Pop 60+", various stage costumes and personal items of a number of the city’s superstars, including Leslie Cheung and Wong Ka-kui.

TAWAG NA!

A new exhibition "A Laugh at the World: James Wong" will also be launched by the HKHM starting on July 17. The 140 or so exhibition pieces will include museum collections and loan exhibits, and aims to  show Wong's contributions to music, film, television, advertising, literature and more.

It will also demonstrate the cultural integration of his works, as well as how he translated traditional contents into contemporary pop culture creations.

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Lying to Immigration results in 4-month imprisonment

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The case was tried at Shatin Court

Lying to an Immigration officer to be able to get a domestc helper visa brought a four-month imprisonment to a Filipina after she pleaded guilty to the offense at Shatin Court.

Marilou Gumtang, 42 years old, was charged with violation of Section 42 (1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance which penalizes “making a false representation to a “Immigration Officers lawfully acting under or in the execution of Part III of the Immigration Ordinance.”

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In a hearing Friday (July 5), she admitted to the charge that she lied to an Immigration officer processing her application for extension of stay that she was employed as a domestic helper by a named employer.

Magistrate Andrew Mok chose a starting point of six months imprisonment, but because Gumtang was entitled to a one-third discount for pleading guilty, her final penalty was four months in jail.

TAWAG NA!

In the same hearing, another Filipina was jailed by Magistrate Mok for 26 weeks after she pleaded guilty to overstaying.

Helen Reyes, 41 and an asylum seeker, admitted the Immigration Department’s charge that she was supposed to have left on Nov. 2016 but stayed on until Dec. 6, 2023.

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Filipino under arrest for missing sentencing

Posted on 06 July 2024 No comments

 

MTR's HKU station

A Filipino scheduled to be sentenced for possession of a dangerous drug and paraphernalia to use it, has put himself into more trouble when he did not show up at a hearing at Eastern Court Friday (July 5)).

James Tobby Nunag, 29 years old, now faces arrest without possibility of bail, and his bail of $500 has been ordered confiscated by Magistrate Minnie Wat.

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A prosecutor said inquiries indicated that he was in Macau.

Last May 24, Nunag  pleaded guilty to possession of 0.24 gram of shabu and a glass apparatus used for inhaling the drug.

TAWAG NA!
Nunag was found in possession of these articles during a routine patrol by police, who noticed his suspicious movements at Exit B of the HK University MTR station.

Magistrate Wat scheduled the sentencing for June 6 pending a probationary officer’s report and urine test results that she ordered.

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Mabatid case tops list of OFW concerns relayed to DMW in online meet

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Secretary Cacdac promised a regular meeting with HK complainants on the Mabatid case 

The long wait for the Department of Migrant Workers to endorse the filing of charges against a former Cebu politician who is accused of illegal recruitment and fraud by some 20 Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong dominated the town hall meeting hosted by Secretary Hans Cacdac early on Saturday, July 6.

Secretary Cacdac opened the talks with Filipino community leaders by disclosing recent moves by the DMW to look into other possible destination countries for overseas Filipino workers, and efforts to help them secure their incomes through sound fiscal management and safe investments.

He also said the DMW is looking closely at recruitment costs, particularly the no-placement fee policy for domestic workers in places like Hong Kong, and the corollary problems with debts.

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But it was the case filed by the migrant workers against Prisca Nina Mabatid, her partner Russ Mark Gamallo and OFW blogger Bryan Calagui that became the center of discussion during the two-hour meeting, with no less than four community leaders asking the DMW for updates on their investigation.

Esther Bangcawayan, a case officer at the church-based Mission for Migrant Workers which is helping the complainants pursue the case, asked Cacdac why the Hong Kong cases have yet to be forwarded to the DOJ, despite them having been filed more than a year ago.

Cacdac responded that there was no question that the DMW was with the complainants in pursuing the case against Mabatid and company, but the ball is now in the DOJ’s court, as they will be the ones who will decide on whether charges ought to be filed in court.

TAWAG NA!

Assistant Secretary Francis Ron de Guzman told the meeting that most of the related cases referred to them had been filed with prosecutors, and the complainants had been given counseling and legal assistance.

Among the cases already pending are those filed directly with the fiscal’s office in Laguna and Cebu, while the biggest bunch of cases are already under review by the DOJ.

However, he had no ready answer as to why the complaints from Hong Kong have not been forwarded to the prosecutors when they were filed much earlier than the others.

But he agreed with the suggestion that the Senate Committee for Migrant Workers which has already held three hearings on the charges against Mabatid, should continue its inquiry. De Guzman revealed DMW staff and officers have also received threats of lawsuits being filed against them because of their decision to recommend the filing of charges against Mabatid and her co-accused.

Cacdac said that a separate meeting or caucus focusing solely on the Mabatid case will be formed so the more general concerns of the Filcom in Hong Kong could be pursued during the town-hall discussions.

Mabatid, Gamallo and Calagui are accused of collecting P132,000 from each of the complainants in the guise of helping them obtain student visas in Canada which they could use to secure jobs that would pay for all their expenses once they get there.

Mabatid also allegedly promised to lend them Php1 million each as “show money” in applying for the student visa, which would be processed in just three months. But after they paid the processing fee in full, the complainants said they were sent a long list of requirements that were impossible to fulfill. When they tried to get their money back, they were threatened with lawsuits.

Online shot of some of the participants with Sec Cacdac

The other issue that sparked some heated remarks was the plan to set up an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration center in Hong Kong, which administrator Arnell Ignacio revealed during his visit to Hong Kong last month.

At the time, Ignacio said he was seriously considering renting an entire floor in the United Centre Building in Admiralty, which comes with a price tag of HK$8 million a year.

Dolores Balladares, chairperson of United Filipinos in Hong Kong, described Ignacio’s plan as “bulagsak,” or profligate, and questioned why the funds meant to provide welfare assistance to OFWs were being spent in such manner.

Others like Shiela Tebia of Gabriela HK questioned why OWWA did not consult OFWs first before embarking on such an expensive project.

In response, welfare officer Marilou Sumalinog said the money for the center will not come from OWWA’s coffers but from the government’s general appropriations fund. She also said the planned center has received widespread support from the community

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HK OFWs shine in intl karate tilt

Posted on 05 July 2024 No comments

 

The team proudly raises the Philippine flag at the Karate-Do championship

A group of migrant workers in Hong Kong clinched bronze in the recently concluded Karate-Do championship, an international competition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from June 28 to 30.

The Roukan Karatedo  team competed in both the Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) categories, facing off against international athletes. Despite the high level of competition and the limited time they have for practice, the Hong Kong delegation snapped up one bronze medal.

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The eight Filipino members of them team were Myrna Albaten, Mylene Bautista, Greta Castilla Colmo, Rose Bermudez Arata, Jonaphine Perlas, and Maribel Suarez.

The team also included Chloe Sunartin from Indonesia ang Ronithi from Sri Lanka.

The team members in action

They were led by head coach and chief instructor Franz Keed Suarez, who competed in the Male Veteran Individual Kata event.

The competition provided an opportunity for migrant workers to compete on the international level and showcase their skills in martial arts.

The team is now seeking sponsorship to support their Filipino athletes, as they continue representing Hong Kong and the Philippines in the overseas tournaments.

TAWAG NA!

The next competition for the Roukan Karatedo team will be on November 21st in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Those who are interested to join may approach the Karatedo School (Dojo) located in Wan Chai and Yuen Long every Saturday and Sunday. 

Classes are held on these days, from 12 noon to 2pm, and are designed for both beginners and advanced students. (Some members in the advanced level have been training for up to eight years).

A minimal fee of $50 per two-hour session is collected from participants to defray costs.

For more information, contact instructor Franz Suarez at 98572441 (WhatsApp message or call) or check out their official Facebook page, Karatedo Roukan Hong Kong.

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Pinoy asylum seeker faces voyeurism charge

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The alleged peeping incident happened inside this Kwai Chung mall

A Filipino has found himself detained in jail while awaiting further investigation, after he was charged with voyeurism at West Kowloon Court.

F. Magallanes, a 34-year-old asylum seeker, was ordered remanded in jail custody by Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui to await his next hearing on Aug. 29 after the prosecution asked for an adjournment.

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In the case filed by the police, Magallanes was accused of violating Section 159AAB or Section 159AAC of the Crimes Ordinance, which prescribes a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment if a “Peeping Tom” is convicted.

The alleged offense happened last June 25 at a women’s toilet on the third floor of Kwai Chung Plaza, a mall in Kwai Chung, New Territories.

TAWAG NA!

He was arrested after he allegedly “surreptitously observed” a woman identified as X while she was relieving herself and was in “circumstances that gave rise to a resonable expectation of privacy…”

Police added that he “disregarded whether the said X consented to being observed by him.”

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3 arrested in Immigration raid deny working illegally

Posted on 04 July 2024 No comments

 

Immigration officers bring some of those arrested to detention centers

Two Filipinas and one Bangladeshi arrested on May 20 in one of the anti-illegal worker operations of the Immigration Department, have denied taking employment beyond that specified in their condition of stay.

Marlyne Ogues, Maryjane Bienes and Lili Akther professed their innocence at Shatin Court yesterday, July 3, prompting Acting Principal Magistrate Amy Chan to schedule a two-day trial on Aug. 22-23.

The two Filipinas had domestic helper visas in force when arrested for breach of condition of stay for allegedly performing odd jobs in a restaurant in Central. They were each made to post a cash bail of $5,000.

TAWAG NA!

Akther was terminated on Dec. 3, 2022 and was supposed to leave two weeks later, so had been overstaying for one and a half years when arrested with the Filipinas. 

She pleaded guilty to the second charge of taking employment while remaining in Hong Kong in breach of the limit of stay, but Magistrate Chan put off her sentencing until after the trial. 

She was remanded in jail custody.

The three were among the nine persons arrested in the raids undertaken by ImmD on May 20-23 on 165 target locations including massage parlors, premises under renovation and restaurants all over Hong Kong.

An ImmD spokesman said, " Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

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Mastermind in fake FDH contracts ring sentenced to 41 months in jail

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Some District Court cases are heard in Tsuen Wan Court

A 63-year-old local female who used to run an employment agency in Mong Kok was sentenced yesterday to a total of 3 years and five months in jail for running a syndicate that arranged for 26 foreign nationals to work in Hong Kong illegally using fake employment contracts.

A press statement issued by the Immigration Department said the accused was convicted at the District Court of four counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of using a copy of a false instrument.

She was said to be the mastermind of the syndicate that used false instruments to obtain FDH visas for 26 people from different countries.

TAWAG NA!

Earlier, one Hong Kong male resident and six FDHs involved in the operation had been convicted for various offences such as conspiracy to defraud and making false representation to an immigration officer and were sentenced to up to 15 months’ imprisonment.

Immigration began investigating the case after detecting several suspicious FDH visa applications from the same employment agent that were submitted to them for processing. After an investigation that took months, a syndicate was identified as having arranged for a big number of foreign nationals to come to Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers.

The Department subsequently mounted operations codenamed "Ironshield”, as a result of which a total of 18 persons, including the syndicate mastermind, three Hong Kong residents and 14 FDHs, have been arrested.

In addition, two computers, two mobile phones and a large amount of fake documents were seized, including time deposit advices, electricity bills and water bills.

Immigration said more suspects could be arrested as the investigation is continuing.

It is also reminded the public that making false representation to an immigration officer is a serious offence which is punishable with a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

The other offences committed in this case, such as conspiracy defraud and making, possessing or using false instruments could also land one in jail for up to 14 years for each charge.

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Libreng SIM at Internet sa mga Bagong OFW papuntang Hong Kong!

Posted on No comments

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Para makuha iyong FREE SIM*, kailangan lang mag Text ng key word na: 

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sa WhatsApp # +85294478231 o i-press ang link na ito: 

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Hintayin ang reply para sa kailangang information, abangan ang reference code at paano makuha sa Hong Kong Airport.

Kung may kaibigan o kakilala kayo na bagong OFW pa HK, i-share na ito!

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ang bonggang network at SIM Card ng mga Pinoys sa HK!

*Kung hindi ka pa nag Barkadahan sa SmarTone:

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Para sa detalye ng offer, press:

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Para sa iba pang mga offers sa Barkadahan, press:

https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews/AL

Para naman sa iba pang services, press

https://www.smartone.com/hk/BSS/OnlineNews

Kung may tanong, mag text sa WhatsApp Hotline

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Mas bongga talaga sa Barkadahan, pramis! 

Ito rin ang SIM ng mga Pinoys at Number 1 Most Used Network ng mga OFW sa Hong Kong, ayon sa Anova Market Research Company.

HK again sizzles in ‘very hot weather’

Posted on 03 July 2024 No comments

 

People are advised to stay indoors or avoid prolonged exposure to the sun

The “very hot weather warning” was raised today by the Observatory, as the temperature surged to 34 degrees Celsius in certain parts of the city, including Stanley in Hong Kong island and Yuen Long Park in the New Territories.

The heat wave is forecast to continue until the weekend, when temperatures could rise to 34 degrees in the urban areas and 36 degrees in the New Territories on Saturday, despite isolated showers.

With the very hot weather warning in force, residents are warned to stay indoors as much as possible, drink sufficient water, rest or seek help immediately if feeling unwell.

TAWAG NA!

If symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion develop, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Elderly persons, pregnant women, infants and children, those with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure as well as the obese are more vulnerable to heat stroke.

When doing outdoor activities, drink more water and avoid over exertion. If feeling unwell, take a rest in the shade or cooler place. Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon.

If indoors, keep windows open if there is no air-conditioning and use electric fans. Drink water regularly. Go to air-conditioned public places to cool off if the heat becomes unbearable.

To avoid sunstroke and sunburn, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Light-colored and air-permeable clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV protection and sunscreen lotion of at least SPF 15 can help reduce the chance of sunburn and solar UV radiation.

Last month, the very hot weather warning was issued for more than a week, indicating temperatures hitting 33 degrees or more.

The heatwave matched the record set in 2016, when the warning was issued for nine straight days in June.

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