An An and Ke Ke appear at Ocean Park for first time

Enthusiastic visitors vie try to be the first to take a photo of the newest additions to Ocean Park

Large crowds of people visited Ocean  Park today, to be among the first to have a glimpse at  An An and Ke Ke, the two giant pandas gifted by Beijing to Hong Kong.

Many of those who turned up wore panda accessories or carried panda toys, and were all excited to line up for the 15-minute viewing period allowed for each group of guests.

Those who were the first to queue up said they made sure to wake up early to see the pandas immediately. Queuing started at 9am for the theme park’s 10am opening.

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Among the early visitors were some non-locals who were as enthusiastic to view the giant pandas which are endemic to China and are categorized  as “vulnerable” species.

An An, a male; and Ke Ke, female, joined four other pandas in Ocean Park when they arrived in Hong Kong last Sept 26.

Female Ying Ying and male Le Le became parents of twin cubs “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother” in August.  Ocean Park says the new panda twins will greet the public in the first quarter of next year.

Basahin ang detalye!

Yesterday, Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee announced that the two new pandas will retain the name given them in Beijing, despite a naming competition which drew more than 22,600 entries.

Pong, who presided at a pre-launch event attended by VIPs yesterday said the adjudicators in the naming competition unanimously decided that retaining An An and Ke Ke was “appropriate” given their positive implications.

According to the official, “An An” denotes a peaceful and stable future for Hong Kong while “Ke Ke” suggests unlimited possibilities for the city. Together, the two names means  “encore” in Chinese, suggesting a series of auspicious things that will come one after another.

The 2,500 panda sculptures were put on display at Avenue of Stars in TST

Meanwhile the Pandas on Parade opened at the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday, and continued until today, Dec. 8.

The 2,500 panda sculptures were joined by a life-size mascot in entertaining thousands of visitors who went to see them throughout the day.

The display will pop up in various locations in Hong Kong until December 26, as a tribute to the global panda population, which has now exceeded  2,500.

Catch them at these places on these dates:  Dec 14-15 from 11am to 5pm at Ngong Ping 360 cable car;  Dec 21-22 from 11am to 5pm at Ocean Park, and Dec 25-26 from 11 am to 8pm at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Western District.

 

27 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work operations

 

Immigration agents lead away some of  the men arrested during the 4-day sweep

Another 27 individuals, 20 of them suspected illegal workers, have been arrested in the latest anti-illegal work operations of the Immigration Department and HK Police.

The rest included three overstayers and four suspected employers.

Raids carried out from Dec 2 to 5, and targeting  over 260 locations across Hong Kong, led to the arrests.

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In the first wave of arrests on 18 premises, including massage parlours and restaurants, nine suspected illegal workers and two employers were arrested.

The workers comprised four men and five women, aged 25 to 62, one of whom was found in possession of a forged HK ID card. One man aged 44 and a woman aged 45 were also arrested on suspicion of being their employers.

In a separate operation, 244 target locations in Central and New Territories North were targeted. Eleven suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and four women, aged 28 to 62. One man and one woman, aged 41 and 68, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

Two overstayers, a male aged 26 and a female aged 36 were also detained.

Immigration repeated the warning that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, which carries the maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and $50,000 fine. The jail term can go up to three years if the arrested person is an overstayer, illegal immigrant or asylum seeker.

Those found in possession of fake HKID cards can be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail, and fined $100,000.

Employers of illegal workers face the most severe penalty of up to $500,000 in fine, and 10 years in prison.

Free Chinese medicine treatments highlight festival

Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee (second right), learning about the dedicated website Digital Herbarium for Chinese Medicines established by the Department of Health.

Free consultation and treatment for various ailments will be are among the features of the First Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Culture Festival that launched today.

These clinics are among the over 200 promotional activities to be jointly held across Hong Kong until February next year by the Health Bureau (HHB), together with 80 CM sector organizations and community partners 

The festival was kicked off in ceremonies held at the Central Market, led by the acting Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, and the Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development, Dr Vincent Chung

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Dr Lee said, “we have specifically organized the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Culture Festival to enable citizens to get first-hand experience through diverse activities in various forms in these three months, thus enhancing their interest and understanding on wisdom and concepts of CM for fostering CM inheritance and development."

She noted the two advances for CM, namely the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and release of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint at the end of next year.

 “The CM in Hong Kong has been experiencing a steady development over the past two decades or so, with the application of pure traditional CM theories and methods for prevention and treatment of diseases being a distinctive advantage,” she added.

Basahin ang detalye!

The festival activities also include thematic talks as well as exchange forums, workshops and seminars for members of the public and various sectors. A number of community organisations will also hold experiential activities, such as guided tours led by professional docents to explore herbal plants in the countryside where participants can learn about Chinese herbal medicine while enjoying nature.

To foster the cultural inheritance of CM, the Festival also has in place activities targeting students, such as CM identification workshops and CM planting activities, to cultivate the younger generation's interest in traditional medicine.

Exhibitions and interactive booths are also open at the Central Market today for the public to learn more about the CM culture, which include a CM constitution identification booth, a simulated CM clinic with CM tools and dress-up for photo-taking, information panels on health maintenance during winter and the CMHHK model exhibition and games. CM thematic talks covering topics such as globalisation of CM, the role of CM in primary healthcare, CM and mental health, interesting science of CM as well as experience of free CM consultations in different regions are also arranged for members of the public and various sectors.

According to the schedule released by organizers (https://www.hkcmfest.gov.hk/en/about), some of these consultations will be open to all while others will be aimed at specific sectors, such as the elderly or residents of the communities where the clinics will be held.

Here’s a sample of events from the schedule published in the event website :

Free Chinese medicine clinic, sponsored by Ancient and Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Famous Academic Research Association Co., Ltd.

December 11, 10am-5pm.  Room 2008, Floor 20, Tower 1, New City Central Plaza, 138 Rural Affairs Road, Sha Tin.

Open to Anyone (elderly preferred). Registration: Whatsapp: 2399 7929

Hiking in mountains to identify medicine, sponsored by Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Society Limited

December 14, 09:00-12:00. Round trip from Pak Tam in Sai Kung to Bradbury Camp in Chek Keng

Open to Students or citizens who are interested in Chinese herbal plants

Free Chinese medicine clinic service, sponsored by Hong Kong Listed Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association

December 15, 10:00-12:00 at No. CT1, G/F, Yiu Yat House, Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

Open to Residents of Tin Yiu, Tin Shui Wai. Contact information: https://www.facebook.com/stcalvin/?locale=zh_HK

Registration:  5100 0994

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service - Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Tai Po District)

December 20 and 23, 2024 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30), December 21, 2024 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-16:00) , December 28, 30 and 31 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30), January 7, 8 and 9, 2025 (08:30-13:00, 14 :00-18:30), January 16, 17 and 18, 2025 (08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:30)

Place: G/F, Staff Center, Block J, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, 11 Chun On Road, Tai Po, New Territories

Registration: Tel: 2663 0004

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by Christian Family Service Center—Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Kwun Tong District)

December 20, 21 and 23, 2024 (the ninth day of the lunar month), December 28, 30 and 31 (the ninth day of the lunar month), January 7, 8 and 9, 2025 (the third day of the ninth lunar month), 2025 January 16, 17 and 18 (enhanced). Main days: 08:30-17:30, Moxibustion days: 09:30-17:00

Place: Kwun Tong District Chinese Medicine Clinic (4/F, Ngau Tau Kok Racing Clinic, 60 Ting On Street, Ngau Tau Kok)

Registration: Tel 3107 4113;

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for residents aged 65 or above, sponsored by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center of the University of Hong Kong (Eastern District)

December 21, 2024, December 30, 2024, January 8, 2025, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm West Wing, 4th Floor, Basement, Specialty Outpatient Clinic, Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital, Eastern District, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong

Registration: 3197 2000

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 and above, sponsored by Yan Oi Tong-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Tuen Mun District)

December 21, 2024, December 30, 2024, January 8, 2025, January 17, 2025: 08:30am-5:00pm

5/F, Yan Oi Branch Clinic, 6 Tuen Lee Street, Tuen Mun

Registration: by phone 2430 1309 or in person

Website: https://cums.yot.org.hk/

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association-Hong Kong University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Southern District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced):  (Monday to Friday) 09:00-20:00, (Saturday) 09:00-17:00

2nd Floor, 10 Reservoir Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

To register, visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2580 8158) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Kowloon City District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Friday 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1pm, 2:00-05:00pm

Room 401-412, Po Man House, Oi Man Estate, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2193 7000) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

                                                          

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Yau Tsim Mong District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Friday 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1pm, 2:00-05:00pm

9/F, Block R, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Jordan, Kowloon

object

Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2618 7200) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Yuen Long District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced); Monday to Saturday 9:00am -1:00pm; 2:00-7:00pm

Place: 3/F, Yung Fung Shu Health Centre, 26 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long, New Territories

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2478 5769) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

 

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Pok Oi Hospital-Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center (Shatin District)

December 21, 2024 (19th), December 30, 2024 (29th), January 8, 2025 (39th), January 17, 2025 (enhanced) Monday to Saturday 9:00am -1:00pm; 2:00-7:00pm

Place: G/F, Shatin (Tai Wai) Clinic, 2 Man Lai Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories

Registration: Visit the Chinese Medicine Clinic in person or call (2479 2126) to make an appointment, first-come-first-served basis

                               

Winter three-nine-day moxibustion service for those aged 65 or above, sponsored by Haven of Hope Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Teaching and Research Center of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Sai ​​Kung District)

December 21 (9:30am-1:00pm, 2:30-4:30pm) December 30, 2024 and January 8, 2025 (9:30am-1:00pm, 2:30-6:30pm) Place

6/F, Ambulatory Medical Building, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

Registration; Call 2701-1020 to make an appointment or visit the Chinese medicine clinic to make an appointment in person

Accused illegal recruiter Mabatid fails in cyberlibel bid against The SUN editor

 

Mandap with her lawyers from FLAG, Atty Ed Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes, 
submitted a hefty counter-affidavit, which led to the 3 cyberlibel cases being junked

The baseless persecution is over. A Cebu City judge has quashed three cyberlibel cases filed by PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. founder Prisca Nina Mabatid against The SUN editor and lawyer Daisy CL Mandap for lack of probable cause.

The decision by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon B. Daomilas, Jr. was promulgated on November 11, on the same day the Department of Justice in Manila indicted Mabatid, her partner Russ Mark Gamallo and four others, for large-scale illegal recruitment and multiple counts of estafa. (Find the story here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/search?q=Mabatid+large+scale+illegal+recruitment)

Judge Daomilas’s decision ended Mabatid’s attempt to silence The SUN in reporting about numerous complaints filed against her by Filipinos in Hong Kong and in the Philippines, over her group’s allegedly fraudulent offer of work-study visas to Canada.

Judge Daomilas' decision ends Mabatid's libel claims against Mandap

Reacting to the dismissal of the cases, Mabatid committed yet another flagrant disregard for the law when she made the baseless and malicious claim in a public Facebook post on December 4 that The SUN is “notorious for extorting money” and has persistently spread falsehoods against her since 2023.

In truth, The SUN Hong Kong has maintained a spotless record in the 29 years that it has been in circulation.  Mandap has even received two prestigious awards attesting to her exemplary work for the Filipino community in Hong Kong:  a Hong Kong Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service in 2011, and a Distinguished Alumna in Public Service from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2014.

In contrast, Mabatid has been publicly censured in two recent cases, one where she was held administratively liable for ordering City Hall staff to sell poultry amid the pandemic, and the second was a Supreme Court judgment allowing the nullity of her marriage on the ground of her repeated infidelity. Links below: 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/cebu/seares-ex-councilor-ni%C3%B1a-mabatid-found-guilty

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/234279.pdf

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Mabatid also insisted, in defiance of Judge Daomilas’ ruling and a lack of understanding of the country’ judicial process, that Mandap is still facing cyberlibel charges and has three live warrants of arrest issued against her.

In truth, Mabatid’s only cause of action now is to go to the Court of Appeals on certiorari to assail the judge’s decision - on shaky ground.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK on Feb 19, 2023 was well-publicized

Judge Daomila’s decision came just over a month after Cebu City prosecutors, on reinvestigation, recommended on October 10, 2024, the dismissal of the cyberlibel complaints filed by Mabatid against Mandap in July 2023, for lack of probable cause.

The complaints stemmed from three articles published in The SUN about a group of overseas Filipino workers demanding a refund of the Php132,000 they each paid Mabatid and her companies, PCVC/Opportunities Abroad for the student visas promised them that never materialized.

Mabatid's recruitment in HK was captured live on video, and posted on YouTube

The first article dealt with a confrontation between the claimants and Mabatid, witnessed by Hong Kong police officers; the second on Mabatid’s failure to show up as promised at the Philippine Consulate to refund their money; and the third was over calls by Unifil-Migrante to have Mabatid charged for large-scaled illegal recruitment and money laundering.

After the HK complaints, Migrante Intl staged a protest against Mabatid's alleged
 illegal recruitment and fraud across the country which led to DOJ to investigate

Assistant City Prosecutor Cesar C. Gariando who recommended the dismissal of all three charges, noted that “while the complainant is claiming that the subject articles are false, not a single piece of evidence was adduced by her in support thereof.”

Fiscal Gariando added, “On the other hand, respondent Mandap adduced voluminous evidence (annexes 7  to 41) in support of her defense that the news articles are not defamatory against the complainant but deal only with the complaints filed by OFWs working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong that were reported to the government.”

Fiscal Gariando says Mabatid failed to produce a single evidence to support her claim

“With the amount of evidence adduced by respondent Mandap, it cannot be concluded that the subject articles were mere unsubstantiated attacks on the complainant as what the previous investigating prosecutor found in the assailed Joint Resolution. Rather, the subject articles can be considered fair commentaries on matters of public interest, which are likewise privileged as the news articles talk about the plight of concerned OFWs being scammed while abroad,” continued the prosecutor.

Basahin ang detalye!

Judge Daomilas ordered a reinvestigation and quashed the warrants of arrest on July 16, 2024 at the request of Mandap, a permanent resident of Hong Kong who said she never received a copy of the complaints which were purportedly sent to her address in Quezon City. 

She became aware of the case only when she went to the Philippines for a visit in March 2024, and received a letter from the Cebu City prosecutors informing her of a resolution dated October 24, 2023 indicting her for three counts of cyberlibel, had been promulgated.

Mandap (with her back turned) is shown talking to Mabatid in HK on June 18, 2023
after complainants called the police for help in demanding a refund 

On March 6, 2024, Mandap file a motion for reinvestigation and another for a stay of proceedings on the ground of lack of due process. These were then followed up in court by her lawyers from Free Legal Assistance Group, Atty Edmund Lao and Judge Meinrado Paredes.

In her counter-affidavit, Mandap refuted all of Mabatid’s claims, including the allegation that the articles were politically motivated. She said she never met Mabatid until June 18, 2023, when was asked by the Hong Kong complaints to witness their attempt to ask for a refund of the money they paid for the study-work visa that did not materialize  

Mandap showed proof that several other media publications in Hong Kong had written about the same complaints made by some 50 Filipino migrant workers against Mabatid, which were cited in The SUN articles. (Sample of a news article from Dimsum Daily in HK i here: https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/at-least-50-filipino-domestic-helpers-in-hong-kong-allegedly-scammed-by-pinoycare-visa-centre-in-the-philippines/)

Screen shot of the Dimsum Daily article

In addition, she attached a copy of Senate Resolution No.905 authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo, directing the appropriate Senate Committee to Conduct an Inquiry in Aid of Legislation on the Alleged Illegal Practices of PinoyCare Visa Center and Other Recruitment Agencies Exploiting the Student Visa-To Work Permit Pathway. (See the full text here: https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4329239383!.pdf )

A copy of the Subpoena Ad Testificandum issued to Prisca Nina Mabatid, Founder of PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. to respond to the allegations at a hearing on February 13, 2024 by the Senate Committeeon Migrant Workers, was also attached to Mandap's pleadings.

Subpoena issued to Mabatid to appear at Senate Committee hearing

Mandap also presented video recordings, sworn statements by the OFW-complainants and their case officer at the Mission for Migrant Workers, a letter from the Hong Kong Police and a certificate from the Consulate, to belie Mabatid’s claim that she never undertook any recruitment seminar in Hong Kong.

HK complainants come face to face with Mabatid outside the orientation venue in June 2023

In her complaint, Mabatid claimed she was in Hong Kong to celebrate Father's Day with her family, and just happened to be at the venue where PCVC-Opportunities Abroad was holding an orientation seminar on June 18, 2023 because she was supposed to meet a friend there. She said she merely helped the police with their inquiries, which lasted about three hours, being a good citizen.

Mabatid claims she is not connected with PCVC and was in HK only to celebrate Father's Day

But this was countered by Mandap by attaching to her counter-affidavit voluminous documents belying Mabatid's claim. 

Among the documents she submitted were Securities and Exchange Commission certificates issued to PinoyCare Visa Center, Inc. and Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services, Inc. which clearly showed Mabatid’s connections to both.

PCVC registration shows Mabatid is the majority stockholder in the company

The PCVC certificate issued on May 24, 2011 shows her as its founder, major stockholder and chief executive officer. The one issued to OAVPS on March 13, 2023 (which was nearly a month after Mabatid and her group collected money from the OFW complainants in HK)  shows the CEO as her former partner, Clark Jueco, and her relatives including her mother, as incorporators.

Curiously, in the DOJ Resolution indicting Mabatid and five of her associates, Gamallo was cited as claiming to be its CEO and President, and not their co-accused, Jueco. Gamallo and their three other co-accused , Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor Caingles and Noverna “Bernie”  Uy, also claimed to be the incorporators of OAVPS and not Mabatid’s mother and three other relatives.

OAVPSI certificate showing the real incorporators were mostly Mabatid's close relatives

Aside from dismissing the complaints against her, Mandap asked the City Prosecutor to immediately initiate an investigation into the “perjurious statements” made my Mabatid in her three sworn statements to support her complaints for cyberlibel.

Apparently alarmed by the order to reinvestigate the case, Gamallo, acting for OAVPS, made a last-ditch bid to file another complaint for cyberlibel against Mandap. 

Basahin ang detalye!

However, the complaint was summarily dismissed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rodulph Joseph Val J. Carrillo on October 9, 2024, who ruled that there was no probable cause to file the case in court. SACP Carrillo said the article Gamallo had complained of was “mainly a narration of facts and what remarks are made are based on the narration.”

Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Luisa G. Ratilla approved the recommendation dismissing the complaint on October 24.

Opportunities Abroad flyer showing its offer of study & work visa in Canada in 3 months

In recommending for dismissal of the main cases filed by Mabatid, Fiscal Gariando said: “it is a defense to an action for libel that the words complained of are a fair comment on a matter of public interest. The reason for this is that the freedom of speech is not only one of the constitutional rights of a person but it is also absolutely essential to the democratic rules under the aegis of which our libel law was evolved… Hence, the jealous vigilance with which the free play of open criticism upon all matters of public interest is safeguarded.”

The Department of Migrant Workers has issued warnings against PCVC

The fiscal recommended not just the dismissal of the complaints against Mandap, but also of the three informations filed with the court dated Oct 24, 2023, indicting her for cyberlibel.

His recommendation was submitted for approval by SACP Carrillo and affirmed by DCP Ratilla. In less than a month, Judge Daomilas concurred in their findings and ordered all the cases dismissed.

3 Fil-Chinese held for alleged theft of pens denied bail

 

North Point street where theft allegedly happened (Google Maps photo)

Three visiting Filipino Chinese accused of shoplifting pens and a toy in two separate theft charges, were remanded in jail custody today after their offer of $30,000 cash bail each was rejected at Eastern Court.

G. Ong, 66 years old, P. Sy, 74, and P. Su, 47, will be detained while they await their next hearing on Dec. 10.

PINDUTIN DITO

The three were charged with stealing 34 pens worth $2,012 from the Yu Shu Fong stationery store on Electric Road in North Point last Nov. 30, according to a police complaint filed today.

Ong was also charged with the theft of a toy train worth $68 from the same store on the same date.

Their lawyer sought their release on bail, saying they were established business people in the Philippines, with the elder Sy even owning a flat in Hong Kong. 

But Principal Magistrate Don So rejected the bail offer after the lawyer said the three were allowed by the Immigration Department to stay in Hong Kong until next week.

 

DH jailed for almost 10 months for money laundering

 

A Filipina domestic helper whose bank ATM card was used by another DH for money laundering, for which the latter was jailed earlier for eight months, was herself jailed for nine months and 27 days by the District Court.

Richel Gania, 47 years old, pleaded guilty on Thursday (Dec. 5) to dealing with $189,110.04 of crime money by allowing her Hang Seng Bank account to be used as its depository between April 1, 2018 and Nov. 1, 2020.

PINDUTIN DITO

She was convicted of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offense, conrary to section 35(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.”

Deputy District Judge David Cheung handed the sentence on Gania, whose case was resolved separately from those of her two co-accused – Wong Chi-tang, 37, who was accused of laundering $3,667.329.50 through his Bank of China account; and Rachel Galvadores, 47, whose Hang Seng Bank account was linked to the laundering of $577,302.00.

Basahin ang detalye!

Gania’s ATM card was the main evidence in the case against Michelle Valenzuela, aged 45, who was sentenced last Nov. 21 at Eastern Court to eight months in jail.

She admitted to Principal Magistrate Don So that she used Gania’s ATM card in depositing and withdrawing money from the bank account.

She also answered yes when Magistrate So asked if somebody gave her the ATM card of the account.

Netizens help find missing mom

 

Jolly-looking photo of the missing mom that immediately went viral

All’s well that ends well for a visiting Filipino family in Hong Kong. Their elderly member, Zenaida Venturina, was found with help from alert netizens, a few hours after a frantic message from her daughter on Wednesday morning said she was missing.

The message, posted at about 9am that day said, the 74-year-old Mrs Venturina went missing at around 9:30pm the previous night when the family was about to leave Disneyland.

Her daughter, Amelia Ann Marie, said Mrs Venturina entered a souvenir shop on their way out, and disappeared. She had her passport and Octopus card with her, but did not need any medication.

Her message immediately was reposted in several other Facebook pages by several concerned Filipinos.

A family friend, Ferdinand, also contacted The SUN at about the same time to ask for help in reaching out to other Filipinos in Hong Kong so Mrs Venturina could be located.

But within minutes after the post came out in the Facebook group page, “Hong Kong and Macau Travel Updates Promo,” a netizen shared a post in another group from one Amira Alaya saying she saw a woman that looked like the missing mom.

“I saw an old lady in Hang Hau MTR (she has short hair and looks like this one but I’m not sure if it’s the same person as I saw the post after I took the MTR). She was sitting in a chair in the paid area and there was an MTR staff next to her. Hope you can find her soon,” her post read.

Family members and friends immediately sped to Hang Hau MTR station and were gratified to see that it was indeed, Mrs Venturina, who was there.

Missing mom looking worried when pictured in Hang Hau

Anne Marie later confirmed being reunited with her mother.

“Thank you to all who shared in other groups, those who prayed for mom’s safety and those who saw her, Ms Amira Alaya, thank you very much. We will remember everything you said so that next time this will not happen (again). God bless everyone,” she said in a post.

She did not give details as to where her mother had spent the night, or whether she got fed and other information.

Many members of the chat page, who had earlier expressed concern about whether the missing mom was hungry, cold, or afraid, were quick to extend messages of relief and joy.

Other well-meaning netizens said the elderly mother should probably be equipped with an air tag, a small Bluetooth-enabled device that is usually used in locating lost items like keys up to a distance of about 30 meters outdoors, next time they left the house.

At least one said this was her worry as well as her family was also set to go to Disneyland. She said she had been thinking of putting a tag giving her contact details, inside the clothes of her special-needs child and her senior mom, aside from establishing landmarks where they could go in case they get lost.

Another put a happy spin to the story, saying “Nakakatuwa na nakita na si Mader J May pa happy ending ever after. Oh, enjoy your travel na, wag na magsisihan, and of course (remember) na maging mapagmatyag sa kasama.”

(It’s a relief that Mother has been found. There is a happy ending ever after all. Go enjoy your travel now, no recriminations, and of course remember to always look out after your companions).

Couple owns up to 5 shopliftings; sentencing put off

 

The store where shoplifters operated (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino couple who shoplifted a particular brand of chocolates popular among OFWs who send home door-to-door boxes, pleaded guilty today at Eastern Court to five counts of theft, but their sentences were put off for five days for further inquiries.

Principal Magistrate Don So withheld the sentences until Dec. 10 pending a report done on HK resident Zachary Eagle, 28 years old, by the Drug Addiction Treatment Center and a background report on Loida Figueroa, 49, who uses a recognizance form as identification document.

He also ordered that the two, who are unemployed and have no fixed abode, be held in jail custody until then.

Basahin ang detalye!

A charge for possession of a dangerous drug, for which Eagle was scheduled to be sentenced based on today’s court list, was not mentioned in today’s hearing.

The first theft charge accused Figueroa of stealing three boxes, each containing 36 pieces of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, from the Wellcome supermarket at the basement of Metropole Bldg., on King’s Road, North Point, last Nov. 8. She was with a female, Virginia Nasayao, who was not charged.

The second theft charge involved Eagle and Figueroa stealing five boxes of the same brand of chocolates – three containing 36 pieces and and two containing 24 -- from the same store on Nov. 10.

On the same day, the two returned to the store and stole four boxes of of the same chocolates (36 pieces).

Eagle returned to the same store on Nov. 25, and stole another four 36-piece boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

The fifth charge involved Figueroa stealing two boxes of Ferrero Rocher (36 pieces) chocolates.

The prosecutor said Eagle has three previous similar criminal convictions while Figueroa has nine.

 

DH to dispute theft charge in trial

 

Estate where theft was allegedly committed (Google Maps photo)

It will be between a Filipina domestic helper’s word against her employer’s when a case accusing her of stealing $6,000 is tried next month at a Kwun Tong Court.

Jucy Marquez, 43 years old, tearfully pleaded not guilty today to the charge of theft, or violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, prompting Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie to schedule her trial for Jan. 15.

A police complaint filed last Oct. 23 accuses Marquez of stealing $6,000 in cash from her employer, Wong Chi-hang, at his flat in Pak Shek Terrace in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung, between the 1^st and 20^th of October this year.

Basahin ang detalye!

It was alleged that the money was later found in her purse, but she denied putting it there and asked for fingerprints to be taken to see if she touched the bills.

The prosecution said they will present one witness, while the defense plans to present none and rely instead on disputing the circumstances that led to the charge being filed against her.

Among issues expected to be raised by the defense will be that the house had multiple occupants, including the girlfriend of one family member, and that she had complained to her employer that she lost one mobile phone and $1,000 from her wallet, before the theft charges were filed against her.

Because Marquez had no bail application, Magistrate Leung remanded her in jail custody, with the advice that she has the right to go to the High Court to apply for bail. In two earlier hearings, her offers of $1,000 and $2,000 cash bail were rejected.