Filipino accused of trafficking in 9.7 kilos of drugs allowed bail

 

The drug trafficking and theft cases were both heard at District Court

A Filipino resident has convinced a District Court judge to allow him to post bail of $5,000 cash and an equal amount in surety pending the resolution of a drug trafficking charge against him, when he appeared for a hearing of his case yesterday, July 17.

Aster Leo Balucanag had been in jail since January last year after being charged with a more serious drug-related offence, but was cleared in March this year after the prosecution withdrew the charge.

But he remained in detention because of another case that also involves drugs.

PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO

Balucanag, 39, is accused of trafficking in 9.703 kilos of cannabis in herbal form on Dec. 14, 2023, outside No 188 Lin Fa Tei, Yuen Long in the New Territories.

The case has been adjourned to Sept 23 this year for mention.

Meantime, Judge Justin Ko has allowed him to post bail after the defence lawyer said Balucanag was granted temporary liberty when he appeared in the magistracy over this offence. That time, his bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Basahin ang detalye!

This time, the defendant said he could only raise $5,000 cash for the bail, but his brother who works as a chef in Lan Kwai Fong was willing to act as surety on his own recognizance for another $5,000.

The defence lawyer also asked if it was possible to alter the bail condition as regards the surrender of the accused’s travel document, saying Balucanag had no passport.

He was said to possess a Philippine passport before, but the last time he used it was when he was eight years old, which means that even if it still exists, it would have already expired.

Judge Ko agreed, and required Balucanag to surrender a travel document if he had any, to reside at the address he gave the court, and report to the Yuen Long Police station everyday as part of his bail conditions.

In a separate hearing also at the District Court, a Filipina accused of stealing a number of valuables from her employer, including 38 pieces of jewelry, was returned to custody after her plea-taking was set for Jan 16 next year.

Jennifer H. Ducusin, is accused of stealing 2 bracelets, 17 rings, 3 necklaces, 1 necklace with pendant, 5 pairs of earrings, 1 pendant, 3 coins, 9 wrist chains, 2 scarves, 1 handbag, 2 watches, one scale and RNB2,5000 in cash from Cheung Yee Wah at Green Park in Sai Kung on Nov. 5, 2024.

At the earlier hearing of the case at Eastern Court, the value of the items she is alleged to have stolen was placed at $772,161, apart from the RMB2,500 cash.

Case of Filipina with 14 different names elevated to District Court

 

Scene of the alleged first offense (Google Maps photo)

Prosecutors dropped one of four criminal charges at Eastern Court today against two unemployed Filipinas, one of whom uses 14 different names and was subjected to a deportation order 37 years ago, but still applied for the elevation of their case to the District Court.

Jay-Ann Benlot, 30 years old, and Rebecca Quirante, 67 years old, were returned to jail by Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung to await their next hearing at the District Court on Aug. 7.

Quirante is also known by the following names: May P. Topacio, May R. Topacio, Rosalie S. Baltazar, Bessie A. Valle, Isabel A. Castro, Malon P. Gonzales, Malou P. Gonzales, Malous P. Gorizhles, Malou P. Gorizhles, Malon P. Gorizhles, Jaqueune Dayandante Moristo, Nelrie A. Monte, and Annabelle Paqueros Sugcang.

PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO

Benlot and Quirante are accused of theft in the first charge, for allegedly stealing a wallet containing HK$2,000, 80 renminbi, Chinese travel and identity documents and four bank cards from a man who was inside the Brandy and Melville shop on the ground floor of Emperor Watch and Jewellery Centre in Causeway Bay on Nov. 10, 2024.

In the second charge, Quirante is accused of stealing one mobile phone while its owner was inside a shop on Cheung Sha Wan Road in Sham Shui Po on Nov, 14, 2024.

The third charge accuses Quirante of the serious offense of violating a deportation order issued on May 26, 1987, when she was arrested on  Nov. 15, 2024.

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This offense under Section 43 of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115 occurs when a person who has been deported (or is subject to a deportation order) returns to Hong Kong in violation of the order. Such a breach is punishable with a maximum sentence of seven years in jail on an indictment.

Dropped from the case was a charge of theft agaisnt both of them, for allegedly stealing a wallet containing an Octopus card and $1,000 from a man who was inside Yoho Mall I on Long Yat Road in Yuen Long on Nov. 14, 2024. The prosecutor did not explain why the charge was withdrawn.

Filipinos applying for ESLS jobs urged to be cautious

 

Acting Labatt Tony Villafuerte with Vice Consul David Paje urges caution to jobseekers

Officers of the Philippine Consulate have warned Filipinos seeking employment under Hong Kong’s new labor import scheme for low-skilled workers to be very careful when dealing with agents or people offering such jobs.

The warning came as a number of employment agencies and individuals have begun advertising their services for foreign domestic helpers seeking to work as “office staff, waiter/waitress, bookkeeper, cashier, dishwasher,” etc.

One promoter said on a video that the jobs are available at a licensed recruitment agency in Central, while another agency in Sheung Wan merely promised to help process the job applications, indicating the jobseekers must look for possible employers themselves.

Commenting on these advertisements, Acting Labor Attache Tony Villafuerte said Filipinos who wish to be employed under Hong Kong’s Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) must first ensure that there is a job waiting for them.

 “The jobseekers must not pay the recruitment agency for the processing of the documents because the employers are supposed to do this,” said Villafuerte.

At most, he said that under Hong Kong’s labour laws they could be charged only 10% of their first monthly salary, which means they should have already secured the job before paying anything.

Villafuerte said the Labour Department has adopted strict measures to ensure that local workers are not displaced by those from overseas, like requiring them to undergo a four-week local recruitment exercise, which includes advertising the position in local newspapers.

Imported workers must also be paid at least the prevailing average monthly wages of comparable positions, and could be hired for no longer than 24 months in each application. Employers must also hire two fulltime staff for every imported worker, and must pay a levy for them.

Once the application is filed, it is vetted by first, the Labour Advisory Board and then the  government. The employer can proceed with applying for an employment visa once an approval for hiring the imported worker is issued.

This poster says FDWs can switch jobs under the ESLS but they must look for employers themselves

While the Hong Kong government says a total of 54,278 workers were allowed in under the ESLS as of March this year, Villafuerte says MWO records show that only 38 of them were Filipinos.

However, an employee of local company Hong Kong Aero Services Limited (HAESL) have told The SUN that about 600 Filipinos were hired by the company recently to work as aircraft mechanic. It appears the hiring was done directly by the company, including the filing of necessary paperwork with Immigration.

Villafuerte concedes this could be true, as the applications to hire foreign workers, including Filipinos, are directly filed with HK Immigration. It is only when the contracts are approved that they are forwarded to MWO for verification. And even this is often done only when the worker needs to go back to the Philippines for a vacation.

Pinay jailed 1 year for overstaying 27 years

 

Footbridge beside Worldwide House where Filipina was arrested (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who has overstayed for 27 years after she was terminated from her work as a domestic helper in 1996, was jailed for 12 months yesterday, July 16, after she pleaded guilty at Eastern Court.

Since Josephine Rescate, 63 years old, has been in jail for almost two years because the court has rejected her applications for bail in prevous hearings, she is expected to be formally released immediately and deported.

The hearing of her overstaying case had to be delayed after she requested that her application for non-refoulement, or against being sent back to the Philippines on account of claimed torture, be dealt with first.

Rescate was convicted of breach of condition of stay, in violation of section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, for overstaying her visa since Sept. 29, 1996, or 14 days after she was terminated from her job as a domestic helper.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung told her that she had overstayed for a substantial length of time and the sentence was net of the one-third discount she was entitled to for pleading guilty.

Rescate, who is an applicant for asylum as a torture claimant, has managed to remain underground until her arrest on Sept. 7, 2023 on the footbridge near Exit A of the Central MTR station and Worldwide House, during a routine police check.

PCG to provide half-day services on Saturday, July 26

 

Last month's meeting between Consulate officials and Bayan HK delegation on Saturday opening

For the first time ever, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong will provide consular services on a Saturday, in the wake of calls by various organizations led by United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong.

An announcement posted on the Consulate’s Facebook page says that the half-day services will be held next Saturday, July 26, from 9am to 12 noon on the 14^th and 29^th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty.

That means full services will be provided to Filipinos, including passport and notarial services on the 14^th floor, as well as contract verification and other labour-related services at the Migrant Workers Office on the 29^th floor of the building.

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Those who want to avail of the services are encouraged to pre-register at <bit.ly/HK_SCS> or by scanning the QR code.

Walk-ins will still be accommodated, but priority will be given to those who preregistered.

Please visit the link for more details:

https://hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph/saturday-consular-services

The announcement follows a meeting on June 24 between Consul General Romulo M. Israel and Bayan HK and Macau affiliate organizations like Unifil-Migrante and Gabriela HK, during which a number of issues were raised, including their request for a Saturday opening.

Their request was backed by signatures collected from several church organizations, including the Philippine Independent Church , Methodist International Church and the Filipino-Christian Community.

Congen Israel said the decision to offer Saturday services was in response to the clamor.

"It will be like the equivalent of an outreach service that we do in other Posts with much bigger areas of jurisdiction," he said in a text message to The SUN.

Unifil chair Dolores Balladares said her group welcomes Congen Israel's quick response to their plea for a Saturday opening, which she said was "long overdue."

But she added she hoped the Consulate would be open every Saturday, instead of just once a month, in line with their original request. 

The campaign proponents said most employers do not permit their domestic workers to get out of their houses unless it’s their day off, so those who can go out only on Saturdays are unable to get much-needed service from the PCG.

These services range from basic consular services such as legal advice to general enquiries and document processing such as contract verification.

During their meeting with Congen, the militant groups also asked for a regular Filipino community leaders’ meeting where non-migrant workers will also be invited; and for the permanent freeze on the mandatory collection of such government fees as memberships to PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and SSS.

Congen Israel responded positively to their suggestions, said the group representatives.

He was joined in the meeting by Vice Consul Alan Revote and Assistant Labor Attache Angelica Sunga.

 

Heavy rain, thunderstorm forecast for Sunday in HK

 

Latest aerial photo of East Kowloon captured by the HKO

A band of low pressure east of the Philippines is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone as it moves towards Luzon, and gradually intensify as it reaches Hong Kong on Sunday.

The Hong Kong Observatory said in its revised nine-day weather forecast issued today, Wednesday, that winds reaching force 8 gale force will be felt offshore and on high ground on Sunday and Monday.

The Observatory said strong winds, heavy showers and thunderstorms will be felt across Hong Kong and Guangdong’s coastline, and in northern South China. Seas will be rough with swells.

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The gale force wind will be felt offshore and on high ground, which is the lower threshold for the issuance of No. 8 typhoon signal.

However, the Observatory said uncertainties remain regarding the storm’s movement and intensity.

Tomorrow will be mainly fine with minimum temperature of about 29 degrees in the morning, rising to about 35 degrees in the urban areas and a couple of degrees higher in the New Territories. It will be extremely hot with isolated showers during the day.

High temperatures will persist with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the next couple of days. More showers later on Saturday.

Filipina in $2.75M money laundering case to go on trial

 

More than $2.75 million passed through Paculio's bank account in just 6 days

A Filipina who has been detained since late last year will have to wait for 11 more months before she goes on trial for a $2.75 million money laundering charge which she denies.

Charity Joy T. Paculio, 45 years old, appeared before District Court Judge Kwok Wai Kin today, July 15, after pleading not guilty to the offence. The judge set down her trial for six days, from June 8-15 next year.

Meanwhile, the judge ordered her returned to custody until her next court appearance.

Paculio, a domestic helper, had tried since November last year when she first appeared in the Eastern magistrate’s court to be allowed bail, but failed, even after offering $20,000 cash bond for her temporary release.

This means that she would have been in detention for close to two years when she goes on trial next year.

Paculio is accused of dealing with proceeds of crime through her Standard Chartered Bank account where deposits and withdrawals of a sum totaling $2,751,387.98 were made in just six days, from Feb. 22 to 28, 2023.

She denied having made any of the transactions in the bank account.

The charge, formally described under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance as “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence,” is punishable with a maximum jail term of 14 years, and fine of up to $5 million.

 

Filipina assaulted in video urged to surface

 

Screen grab of attack caught on viral video 

The Migrant Workers Office today urged the Filipina who was shown being assaulted in a video that has become viral on social media, to come out so proper assistance can be extended to her.

 “We need to identify her so we can get accurate information about the case,” acting Labor Attache Antonio R. Villafuerte said.

He promised his office will help her seek justice.

Basahin ang detalye!

The video shows the Filipina being hit three times with a handbag by a Chinese woman. She did not fight back, although she held on to the bag to stop the attack as she left the room.

OFW chat groups on Facebook suggested that the incident took place inside the clubhouse of a residential building.

The attacker was said to be the mother of a child who was admonished earlier by the Filipina for bullying her ward, but this could not be confirmed.

The date of the attack was not disclosed, although one video has a July 15 time stamp. 

Some Filipino community leaders who saw the video immediately sounded out Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and she promised to alert the MWO about it. 

But she advised the leaders not to share the video, saying it could put the Filipina in trouble.

Unifil-Migrante marks 40th anniversary

 

Bayan president Renato Reyes jr. keynotes celebration

United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil)-Migrante celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a program that highlighted its accomplishments in its fight for the welfare of migrant workers in Hong Kong.

“In the last four decades, Unifil has fought against exploitation, abuse and attacks on our rights and welfare as migrant workers,” Unifil chairman Dolores Baladares Pelaez told the crowd of more than 300 representatives of member-organizations who gathered Sunday (July 13) at Eaton Hotel in Jordan.

She cited the group’s victories which have benefited migrant workers, including opening the Consulate on Sundays to serve migrant workers on their day off and the ban on window-cleaning.

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An audio-visual presentation elaborated on Unifil’s other gains, such as the “laglag-bala” scam that victimized OFWs at Philippine airports, illegal charges by employment agencies, opening of Balikbayan boxes by Philippine Customs and excessive exactions by government agencies such as Philhealth.

In his keynote address, Bayan Party president Renato Reyes Jr. underlined the role that Unifil-Migrante plays in the lives of migrant workers.

He said politicians who run the country have no idea what migrant workers are going through. “That is why we can only depend on our fellow migrants for genuine help when we need it,” he explined.

“We need Unifil because there we still have migrant workers, because the economic system in the Philippines has not been fixed, which has pushed Filipinos to work abroad,” he said.

Ramon Bultron, secretary general of Migrante International, urged members to learn from the experiences in the last 40 years because it is the key to real change, in their life not only in Hong Kong but especially in the Philippines.

Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of Mission for Migrant Workers, said she looks forward to the day when her organization as well as the Bethune House shelter for migrant workers in distress, wil not longer be needed because there are no more workers needing protection from abuse and unfair labor practices.

Allied organizations also took part in the celebration, by presenting songs, folk dances, a karate demonstration, a skit and a Balagtasan on the question of whether the country benefits better from its people working in the Philippines or abroad.

You are not alone, Congen tells OFWs in distress

Congen Israel receives a plaque from Social Justice officers led by Marites Palma (in plain black)

 If you are going through difficulties, do not feel you are alone because we have a government that cares for you.

This was what Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. said in his message at the 6^th anniversary celebration of Social Justice for Migrant Workers, held at the OFW Global Centre in Admiralty yesterday, July 13.

Congen Israel spoke after hearing the contestants in a storytelling competition speak of the many struggles they had to face to ensure they kept their jobs and continue providing for their family back home, ensuring in particular that their children finished school.

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He said the Philippine government strives to ensure the wellbeing of some 10 million Filipinos abroad, about a tenth of the country’s total population. He said the task has not been easy, but the government has “come a long way” since Filipinos started emigrating in the ‘70s.

Israel said that the stories shared by the contestants showed the immense pain they had to bear when they left the country and their families behind so they could give them a better life. 

“You did not let that pain undermine your determination to achieve your goal,” he said. “Nangingibabaw ang pagmamahal ninyo sa inyong pamilya.” (Your love for your family is overwhelming).

Winners in the Storytelling contests pose with their awards and Social Justice officers, 
along with Attache Rem Marcelino

Though the stories shared by the OFW-contestants were replete with heartaches, mostly brought about by harsh work conditions to serious health problems and being scammed of their hard-earned money, they all ended on an upbeat mode, with their children obtaining college degrees, many with honors.

Another speaker, The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap, paid tribute to Social Justice for actively helping their fellow migrant workers in need, particularly when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, barely a year after the group was founded by longtime OFW Marites Palma.

“Born just before Covid, but you were fast to respond to the crisis,” said Mandap. She recalled how the group provided “ayuda” or food and other provisions for migrant workers in quarantine, and helped look for shelter for those who were thrown out of their employers’ house after they tested positive for the virus.

Mandap also recalled how the various “admins” or officers of Social Justice took on a number of tasks in a bid to help the community ride out the crisis, from rescuing MDWs sacked unceremoniously by their employers amid the pandemic, to ensuring those seriously ill and wanted to go home were looked after until they reached their destination.

She, however, reminded the group that their being “mabuting tao” (good people) should extend first to their family members. They should keep their eye on saving up and focusing on their goals so they could reunite with their families the soonest time possible.

Chosen by the three-member panel of judges as Best in Storytelling was Venus Marasigan, who also received the Most Imaginative Story Award. 

Apart from Mandap, the other judges were Shiela Cancino and Laila V. Tungcab from Pinoy Impact HK.

The other contestants were also among those who received awards in pre-selected categories: Merlyn Tayona, “Most Hearfelt,”  Mary Ann Inovejas, “Best Story of Resilience,” Mhel Larios, “Best Message of Hope,”; Yrine Monforte, “Best Being Migrant Worker,”; Jocelyn A. Manzano, “Most Inspiring Work-Life Balance”;  Naty Manalo, “The Journey to the Future.” and Jocelyn A. Manzano, “People’s Choice Award.”

Among the other guests at the event were OWWA Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog, Social Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino, Dr Zoe Cheng, Serena Clarke from the Cervical Screening Team, and Dr. Brenda Alegre and Edgardo Ranosa, Social Justice advisers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour import scheme to continue, says govt

 

Worker shortage is acute in the catering sector (File)

Labor Secretary Chris Sun has ruled out suspending the importation of workers, in the wake of a rise in unemployment figures, and complaints from locals that they are being deprived of jobs.

Sun said on a TVB programme that there is an acute labour shortage in many sectors, and there is hardly any basis for the claim that imported workers are displacing locals under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS).

Out of more than a hundred complaints about employers sacking locals after hiring imported labour, only two appear to have bases, he said.

PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO

“We are looking into whether any employers laid off local workers after hiring imported labourers and have identified two cases where preliminary evidence suggests this might have occurred,” Sun said, adding the companies have been given time to appeal to comply with due process.

But, in the meantime, they have been put on Labour’s watch list, which means their ongoing import applications have been suspended.

If the allegations are proven to be true, he said immediate sanctions will be imposed on the errant employers. This means all their import applications will be withdrawn, and they will be prevented from applying to import workers for two years.

The ESLS is up for review in September this year.

Basahin ang detalye!

Government figures show that as of March this year a total of 54,278 workers were permitted to enter Hong Kong for 26 new job types, including waiters, junior chefs, and other catering staff.

A big number of them had come from the Philippines, according to officers of the Migrant Workers Office. Apart from waiters, the new hires also included dishwashers, cargo company staff and even hairdressers.

But the biggest number of imported Filipino workers, all 600 of them, were reportedly hired as aircraft mechanics for Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL), a company engaged in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Rolls-Royce and Trent engines which are used extensively in many aircraft nowadays.

Unionist lawmaker Bill Tang has called for imported labour for the catering sector to be suspended, saying the influx of workers from overseas is causing concern among locals.

The Society for Community Organization (SoCO) has echoed the call, saying many residents in the low-income groups are complaining about finding it hard to get a job because a lot of the vacancies were being taken up by foreigners.

SoCO is urging the government to re-evaluate the ESLS and give support to marginalized communities, especially in light of Hong Kong’s unemployment rate hitting a new high of 3.5 percent in the past two-and-a-half years.

But Sun said the complaint could have stemmed from a mismatch in the job market, where some employers consistently struggled to find staff while some jobseekers are unable to find a suitable position.

He said there should be a broader picture when reviewing the scheme.

He also said the ESLS already ensures that locals got job priority, as employers can only import workers if they are unable to hire a local after a four-week recruitment exercise.

Fund drive set up for Filipina student burnt in US 'flame jetting'

 

Young and lovely Yvette before the fire

Friends of a Hong Kong-based Filipina law student and singer who got severely burned in a  “flame jetting” accident in a United States university while she was attending a party hosted by her fraternity, are appealing for help with her medical bills.

Yvette Digan, 22, who is being treated at the Massachussets General Hospital (MGH) for extensive burns to her body, limbs and part of her face, is also calling for a ban on the highly flammable product, Everclear, that caused the fiery accident at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where her fraternity, Zeta Psi, is based.

"Flame jetting" is said to occur when flammable liquids are poured into or near an open flame or other ignition source, causing the vapor above the liquid to ignite and be propelled outwards in a high-speed jet of flame, which could result to serious burns, injuries or even death to people around.

PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DIT

Yvette, a comely student taking up law at City University of Hong Kong, had just arrived in the United States for a prestigious exchange program at Boston University when the tragedy, which was caught on video, happened last May 21. Someone had poured Everclear at the gathering, and immediately, a massive fireball engulfed many students around, including Yvette.

The young Filipina was rushed to MGH with a number of second and third-degree burns to more than half of her body. And yet, after the excruciating pain and initial despair at being far from home when it happened, Yvette has chosen to take the path of positivity and gratitude.

A GoFund Me appeal set up by her family said, “Yvette’s spirit is unbroken, but her road to recovery is long. She faces multiple surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy and counseling to cope with the emotional toll. These treatments come with staggering medical bills, and her studies and music career are on hold.”

Yvette shortly after the accident: It will take a long time for her to heal

Yet, they said Yvette is determined to rise from the tragedy, a statement the young woman herself affirms in a post she made on LinkedIn.

“I’m writing to share my story, express my gratitude, and raise awareness about the dangers of Everclear and flame jetting. But more than that, I want to share a message of hope and healing, because even in the darkest moments, I’ve seen the light,” she said.

She thanked the medical staff at MGH, the Boston U community, her US lawyer, Adam Clermont, as well as her family and friends, whose love and support, she said, “have been my anchor through this ordeal.”

Basahin ang detalye!

But she expressed disappointment at the initial reaction of WPI to the tragedy, especially after learning of another flame jetting incident involving Everclear in Massachussets last year, which left another young student in hospital with severe burns.

If this was acted upon, her own accident could have been prevented, she said.

She expressed hope that WPI would join her quest to get Everclear removed from shelves not only in Massachussets but across the United States.

Clermont, her lawyer, echoed this sentiment in a LinkedIn post. He described Everclear as “a 190-proof grain alcohol, 95% ethanol, 5% water, so potent that a single spark can trigger an explosion.”

Yet, he said it is being marketed as safe for use around fire, with social media posts and its dedicated website (www.diywitheverclear.com) showing it being used for cooking near gas stoves, in fondue pots with open candles, and even as a candle fuel ignited by lighters. 

Still shot from a promotional video for Everclear posted on a dedicated website

These promotions “falsely suggested Everclear was safe for such high-risk applications, downplaying its volatility and leading to tragedies like Yvette’s,” said Clermont.

He also claimed Luxco, the company that manufactures Everclear, removed “critical, prominent warnings” from labels on the bottles of the flammable liquid in a rebranding campaign in 2018, to shed the product’s alleged notoriety in favor of a shinier image.

These warning labels reportedly read: “Caution: do not apply to open flame. Keep away from fire, heat and open flame- contents may ignite or explode” and “Caution! Extremely flammable. Handle with care.”

This choice, he said “scarred lives forever,” like Yvette’s.

But as he and Yvette await the outcome of their efforts to hold Everclear’s makers accountable, the Digan family is beginning to feel the pinch from her medical treatments. A close family friend said their hospital bill is now more than US$300,000 and is still rising. It is money that the middle-class family living in Hong Kong is hardly able to afford.

And while they despair over the hospital bill, a bigger worry is the road ahead for Yvette. When will she bounce back enough to continue her studies, and sing again? 

Luckily, Yvette herself is upbeat.

“I’m still healing, emotionally and physically, but I’m starting to believe in possibility again…” she wrote in her LinkedIn post.

“With the support of MGH, BU, Adam and so many others, I’m finding hope and strength. I hope my story can inspire you to help make our communities safer, so no one else has to face what I have. Together, we can turn pain into purpose and build a brighter, safer future.”

(To help Yvette recover from the tragedy, please click on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-yvette-rise-again-after-a-preventable-tragedy )

 

Pinay serving jail term admits to new offenses

 

A Filipina is back in jail to await her sentence at Shatin Court for two cases of conspiracy to defraud – signing up as a fake employer for another Filipina who was applying for a domestic helper visa, and entering into a fake marriage to obtain her own resident’s visa.

Jessebel Questo, who is also known as Jessebel Questo Clarke, pleaded guilty to both charges last Monday (July 7), but Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong adjourned the case to Aug. 4 for sentencing. s

Questo, a 47-year-old Hong Kong resident who works as a cleaner, is currently serving a 10-month jail term for money laundering after admitting her role in dealing with $1.2 million proceeds of crime.

PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO

In the first conspiracy to defraud case, Questo is accused in a police complaint of signing an employment contract with Maria Chona Cagol, with the help of agent Homer Herrera between 2021 and May 28, 2022, “dishonestly and falsely representing” that Cagol will work for her.

Such lies induced “the Immigration Director and his officers to act contrary to their public duty” and thus granted Cagol “permission to remain in Hong Kong, in circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted."

In the second charge, Questo is accused of conspiring with Shafqat Zaman and her agent Herrera by contracting a fake marriage with Zaman by “dishonestly and falsely representing to the Director and his officers that the entries and remaining of Zaman, Shafat in Hong Kong were for the purpose of visiting and reuniting with you.”

Basahin ang detalye

Both offenses are contrary to Common Law and punishable under Section 159C(6) of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap.200), Jaws of Hong Kong.

Last April 2 at Eastern Court, Questo was jailed for dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable crime, in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

She pleaded guilty to allowing the use of her Hang Seng Bank account in money laundering, having received deposits of $1,200,321.71 from Nov. 9 to Dec. 2, 2022.

Questo’s conviction also activated a one-month suspended sentence that was meted to her in a 2022 case in the Kowloon City Court.

But Principal Magistrate Don So ordered that the old penalty run at the same time as the new jail term.