It’s a double gold for Caloy and the Philippines at Paris Olympics

 

It's an unprecedented second gold for Caloy, and a source of pride and joy for the country

As the announcer put it, the first gold was a dream, the second was a fairy tale.

Surmounting big odds, 24-year-old Carlos Edriel Yulo won another gold medal for the Philippines at the Paris Olympic 2024 for the second day in a row, dominating the men’s vault final late on Sunday night. He secured his slot in the finals after placing sixth in the qualifying round.

Yulo won his first gold in the men’s floor exercise only the previous night.

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His back-to-back victory raised the country’s gold medal haul in the Olympics from the one won by weightlifter Hidylin Diaz in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, to three practically overnight.

 I owe this to the One above, says Caloy

Yulo also has the distinction of being the first Filipino to win multiple golds in the world’s premier sports meet. 

His first vault was a picture of power, grace and artistry, earning for himself a score of 15.433, the highest given in the competition.

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A slightly imperfect landing caused his score in his second vault to dip a bit, giving him a score of 14.800, but it was still enough to earn him the top place on the podium, with an average score of 15.116.

The Philippine flag was raised and the national anthem played
 for only the 3rd time in Olympic history

Armenia’s Artur Davtyan who won the silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics, again took the second slot after finishing his routine with an average score of 14.966. Britain’s Harry Hepworth, whose score of 14.949 initially put him in the lead, took bronze.

The Philippines is now assured of four medals in the Paris Olympics, with female boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas each assured of at least a bronze medal after their winning bouts also on Sunday.

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This ties up the number of medals won by the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), and boosted its haul highlighted by Yulo’s two gold wins.

Since it began taking part in the Olympics in 1924, the Philippines has won a total of 15 medals, eight of which were from the two immediate past quadrennial games.  

After winning his first gold medal, Yulo was assured of huge rewards from both the Philippine government and various private enterprises.

Under a law passed in 2015, an Olympic gold medalist is to be rewarded with a “financial incentive” of P10 million, while the House of Representatives has pledged to give an additional P3 million.

The athlete will also receive an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission, as well as a house and lot. In addition, a private developer has pledged to give him a condominium unit, like what Hidylin Diaz received after her win three years ago.

What is unclear if the rewards will be doubled now that Yulo has won two gold medals.

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Immigration formally opens Tseung Kwan O headquarters

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki presides over  formal opening of new Immigration headquarters

The Immigration Department today formally opened its new headquarters in Tseung Kwan O, almost two months after transferring its operations from its Wanchai base.

The Immigration Headquarters, which started operation last June 11, is located at 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O.

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Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki, who officiated at the opening ceremony, said the transfer was planned by Immigration Department and Government Property Agency officers during his tenure as Immigration director.

He said the new headquarters was built near both the Tseung Kwan O and Tiu Keng Leng MTR Stations and is easily accessible by other modes of public transport, to make it convenient for the public to use its services.

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 “Every process of the project, from design to preparation and implementation of the relocation plan, was carried out with meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the services and operation of the department would not be affected by the relocation,” he said. 

“The new headquarters have commenced operation without hiccups, and credit must go to all colleagues in the ImmD for their commendable efforts.”

For his part, the current Immigration director, Benson Kwok, said: "The Immigration Headquarters… represents the image of the Immigration Department that places equal importance on service provision and law enforcement, and symbolizes the department's firm commitment to serving the public and striving to maintain the stability and prosperity of the country and Hong Kong."

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Information on public transport services for travelling to the Immigration Headquarters and the opening hours of its offices, can be found at: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/imm_hq.html

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Carlos Yulo wins gold for the Philippines in Paris Olympics

 

Yulo screams for joy after his winning score was announced (GMA News photo)

Carlos Edriel Yulo delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and the second ever in the Olympic games.

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Yulo, 24, clinched the gold in the final of the men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise final at Bercy Arena on Saturday, Manila time.

Here's a  link to his golden moment at the Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54mDfHpJax0&t=2s

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He scored an impressive  15.000 points in a near-flawless performance, sufficient for him to win the top slot, ahead of Israel’s Artem Goldopyat (14.966) and Britain’s Jake Jarman (14.933). 

Following the announcement of his score, Yulo roared and pumped up his fists, certain he came out on top.

Medal standings in the gymnastics' event that gave the gold to Yulo, and the Philippines

Yulo became the second Filipino to ever win a gold medal in the Olympics, after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought one home from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

He delivered an almost impeccable performance that showcased his signature high-flying tumbles and intricate spins. 

The routine’s difficulty level, combined with his exceptional execution, secured him the top spot on the podium, and paved the way for the Philippine national anthem to be played for only a second time in Olympic history.

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Yulo will have a chance to bring home another gold for the Philippines when he competes in the vault apparatus competition tomorrow, Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, two fencing athletes brought home the gold from the Paris Olympics, Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung Ka-long, who defended the first gold he won at the Tokyo Olympics.

Swimming champion Siobhan Haughey won two bronze medals, one in the 100m and another in the 200m freestyle events, to add to the two silvers she won in Tokyo. She now stands as the winningest Olympic athlete in Hong Kong's history.

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Feeding pigeons could get you jailed and fined up to $100k

The law against feeding wild pigeons will be enforced in both private and public areas

Starting this month, the maximum fine for the illegal feeding of feral or wild pigeons has gone up to $100,000 which is 10 times higher than the $10,000 set previously.

The new penalty is provided for under the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023, which also provides that the offence can be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000 on the spot.

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In announcing the stricter law, the authorities said there will be a grace period of until Aug. 31, when offenders will be issued with just a warning. After this period, violators will be meted appropriate penalty without prior warning.

Officers from various government departments, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Housing Department, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, are empowered to enforce the law on both public and private premises.

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The harsher penalty is aimed at reducing the feeding of wild animals and address associated nuisances and sanitary concerns like the birds shedding feathers, dropping poop and pestering people for food, while potentially transmitting viruses.

Being fed by people in these areas is seen to have served as an incentive for the pigeons to forage and gather in increasing numbers.

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To promote the revised law, government officials held an outreach event at Hang Hau Station on Sunday to inform people about the stricter rules. They also called on citizens to report any violators to make the new law more effective.

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3 Filipinas co-accused in lending at excessive interest rates set to be tried

 

The case is being heard at District Court

The District Court trial of three Filipinas accused of being runners for a Chinese couple has been set for Aug. 8, after the second pre-trial review for a case of conspiracy to lend money at interest rates higher than the yearly limit of 48 per cent set by law.

Lorna Pingol and Alma Cuntapay were named co-accused in one charge of conspiracy with the two Chinese, Tai Ming Fung and Cheng Wai-king, while Milagros Anna Laderas was alone in the second charge when they appeared together on Thursday (Aug. 2) at District Court.

The Filipinas allegedly conspired with Tai and Cheng in lending a total of $10 million to about 1,000 Filipina domestic workers at usurious rates, in a case that happened more than eight years ago.

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Pingol and Cuntapay were charged with the couple of conspiring with “a person named Jessie and other persons unknown” to lend money at an effective interest rate of more than 60 per cent between May 1, 2016 and March 12, 2017, according to information filed by the Department of Justice.

Laderas, on the other hand, was accused of conspiring with “Jessie” -, said to be the couple's former domestic helper -and others of lending money at such rates between July and September in 2016.

Earlier reports from the police said the group made as much as $12 million from the illegal transactions. The borrowers were allegedly charged an interest of 10% per month, or 120% per year, double the legal rate.

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They were all charged with lending at excessive interest rates, violating section 24(1) of the Money Lenders Ordinance which sets the limit for interest rates at 48 per cent per year, and section 159A(1) of the Crimes Ordinance which defines conspiracy.

The offense is punishable under the section 24(4) of the Money Lenders Ordinance, which sets the punishment for lending at excessive rates at a maximum of P5 million fine and 10 years’ imprisonment, and section 159C of the Crimes Ordinance which enhances these penalties.

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All three Filipinas were freed on bail of $2,000 each, while Tai’s bail was set at $80,000 and Cheng’s was $20,000.

Except for Pingol, the accused were told by Judge Timothy Harry Casewell to return on Aug. 8 for the start of trial, having pleaded not guilty in earlier hearings at the Tsuen Wan Law Courts. 

The same date was also set for Pingol to declare herself guilty or not.

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DMW takes anti-trafficking campaign to provinces

 

DMW joins hands with local officials in Albay in the campaign against human trafficking 

Days before the World Day Against Trafficking was marked on July 30, the Department of Migrant Workers has launched outreach seminars in various provinces to ramp up its campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

DMW organized the activities as part of its commitment to provide a full range of assistance to overseas Filipino victims (OFW) who have fallen prey to trafficking and exploitation and are seeking justice onsite and in the Philippines.

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The department has pledged to continue working with member agencies of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), local governments, civil society and private organizations, and with host governments to prevent trafficking, strictly enforce laws prohibiting the recruitment of children for overseas work, and extend help to survivors and their families.

The latest to be visited by DMW officials was Legaspi City, where an anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons campaign seminar was held, alongside Albay PESO (Public Employment Service Office) managers, OFW help desk officers and beneficiaries of the reintegration program for teachers and livelihood assistance program.

MOU signing  in Davao City among various anti-trafficking advocates

Earlier, a similar one-day seminar was held in Davao City with the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau joining hands with OFW advocates, barangay officials, PESO managers and law enforcers in taking the campaign to the grassroots level.

DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman who led the activity thanked the department’s social partners for their firm commitment to combatting illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The provincial government of Davao Occidental took the campaign a step farther by setting up OFW Help Desks in the province to provide immediate and comprehensive assistance to OFWs and their families.

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Through this effort, OFWs will be helped throughout their journey, from pre-employment seminars, to quick response to requests for assistance while onsite, up to their safe return and reintegration.

Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the DMW partnership with the local government is geared towards empowering OFWs and their families, so the OFWs are not only protected against illegal recruiters and syndicates, but will be given immediate services when necessary.

The memorandum of agreement between the two agencies provides for pre-employment seminars to safeguard OFWs from unscrupulous recruiters and syndicates. The related activities include public information drives and workers education sessions on overseas employment, covering its potential benefits, potential risks, and legal channels for working abroad to avoid illegal recruitment.

Other government agencies like the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in cooperation with the LGUs, have committed to providing full-cycle reintegration interventions and support to OFWs and their families.

These reintegration interventions include livelihood assistance and skills enhancement trainings for OFWs, enabling them to explore other employment opportunities if they choose to continue their labor journey in the Philippines.

Davao Occidental Governor Franklin Bautista, meanwhile, urged his constituents to support the push to empower and protect all the OFWs in the province.

Five municipalities in Davao Occidental including Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, and Sarangani also signed the agreement with the DMW to signify their commitment to empowering Filipino migrant workers.

Also part of the anti-illegal recruitment campaign is the OFW Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan which aims to strengthen collaboration between the DMW and local government units in protecting migrant workers.

Around 150 OFWs and their families, as well  as PESO managers and members of the Philippine National Police joined the second round of the campaign held in Tarlac province.

DMW’s nationwide drive to combat trafficking and exploitation came in the wake of complaints that illegal recruiters had partnered with LGUs and PESO officials in luring Filipinos all over the country to apply for non-existent jobs abroad. 

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DH gets 16 months for laundering $2.3M

 

The Filipina appeared in Tuen Mun court

A domestic helper was jailed for 16 months on Thursday, July 31, after she admitted at Tuen Mun Court that $2.3 million in crime proceeds passed through her bank account last March in an offense more commonly known as money laundering.

Maureen Romero, 41 years old, was convicted by Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, an offense under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

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Romero was made accountable for deposits and withdrawals totalling $2,297,076 in her MOX Bank account between March 14 and 24 this year.

She was said to have committed the offense “together with a person unknown,” according to the complaint filed by the Yuen Long Police’s Technology and Financial Crime Squad.

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The complaint said the two dealt with the property “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the said property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable crime.”

The sentence imposed on Romero is on the high side, apparently given the amount involved. 

However, the offence is punishable with a maximum prison term of 14 years, and up to $5 million  fine. 

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FDHs demand monthly minimum wage raised to $6,172

Balladares (in black) says HK should pay FDHs a 'living wage' and not give token increases

Foreign domestic helpers comprising different nationalities picketed the Labour Department office in Sheung Wan this afternoon to demand that their monthly salary be raised to no less than $6,172 and their food allowance to $3,123.

The picket by the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body was held ahead of the government consultation with various stakeholders on the new FDH wage which is traditionally announced in September each year, and takes effect the next month.  

The current minimum salary that took effect last year is $4,870 with the optional food allowance raised to $1,236.

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AMCB chairperson Dolores Balladares said the minimum salary that they are asking for is based on the “living wage” calculated by charity group Oxfam, using updated government data. The amount is a mere $156 more than the $6,016 that the group had been fighting for, for years.

But the food allowance demanded is $1,887 higher than the current one.

Balladares said that what FDHs are aspiring for is not just the “piecemeal” or “small increases “ of between $100 to $150 that the Hong Kong government has mandated in the past few years. What they want is a “living wage” which will allow them to live decently in Hong Kong, according to her.

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Such a salary should be given to all domestic workers, not just those who come in from overseas, but also the locals employed in similar jobs.

In their dialogue with labor officials AMCB also planned to raise concerns about their long working hours, the lack of suitable accommodation provided to many of their counterparts, the overcharging of agency fees, and the lack of a law that makes it mandatory for employers to pay for long service.

The AMCB also remains concerned about the job-hopping allegations from employers that the Labour Department has effectively recognized by requiring empoyment agencies to warn FDHs about the consequences of pre-terminating their employment contracts.

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2 Filipinas charged with money laundering fail to post bail

Eastern Court heard 3 separate money laundering cases in one day (File)

Two Filipina domestic helpers who appeared separately in Eastern Court on Wednesday for a hearing of money laundering cases against them, were returned to custody after failing to post bail for their temporary release.

One of them, Marjorie D. Tayaoa, 44 years old, was not even allowed to post bail after the prosecution objected, saying the amount involved in her case was huge. She had offered $5,000 bail.

Tayaoa is alleged to have dealt with a total amount of $1,138,868.02 in her Mox Bank account between July 20 and August 1, 2023, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe, that the money came from a crime.

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The other accused, Asteria M. Pinili, 41 years old, told the court she could not raise the $50,000 cash bail set for her provisional release.

Pinili is charged with laundering a total of  $641,086.02 in her Mox bank account in  just two weeks, or from June 7 to 21 in 2023.

No plea was taken from either defendant, and Magistrate Don So adjourned their cases to September 24 for mention.

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The high amount or the outright denial of bail for foreign domestic helpers accused of money laundering appear to indicate a shift in how prosecutors look at the seriousness of the alleged offenses.

In West Kowloon the other day, a magistrate cut in half the $100,000 bail posted by the employer of a Filipina domestic helper accused of laundering $455,000 through her bank account, saying it was excessive.

However, the resulting bail amount of $50,000 was still significantly higher than the $1,000 granted to three Filipinas who were sentenced to between 9 and 12 months in jail yesterday for the same offence.

The jacked-up bail indicates a similar shift in outlook towards FDHs engaging in what used to appear to be an innocent act of lending or selling their ATMs for a small amount of money.

Once the bank account is used for money laundering, the FDH is often sent to jail for nine months if she pleads guilty to the offence, and 12 months if she opts for a trial.

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Filipina jailed 3 months for using invalid contract to get $20K loan

 

Case was heard at Eastern Court 

A Filipina who admitted at Eastern Court that she obtained a $20,000 loan using an expired employment contract but said that she had paid it back in full, was sentenced today to three months imprisonment.

Principal Magistrate Don So disregarded a plea for a suspended sentence for Mariel Antenor,  aged 32 years, who pleaded guilty in a hearing last July. 

In the previous hearing, Antenor told Magistrate So that she had paid all installments except one, prompting him to order a background report to clarify the matter.

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Her lawyer told the court today that she had already paid the loan in full.

The case arose after Antenor presented an invalid work contract to Prime Credit’s office at Eurotrade Center Bldg. in Central on Sept. 14, 2022, to meet one of the requirements for a $20,000 loan.

After approving the loan, the financing company said it later found out that the work contract was no longer valid when Antenor applied for it.

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The offence was discovered when Antenor went to the Immigration Department to apply for a renewal of her new contract.

Her lawyer had initially argued that Antenor did not know that it was an offence to use an expired work contract to apply for a loan. 

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