Govt sets 2-year residency rule for subsidized tertiary education

 

City University is one of the UGC-funded tertiary schools in Hong Kong (CityU Facebook page)

The government today announced that starting in the 2028-2029 academic year, dependent children of residents (who are non-local talents) must have stayed in Hong Kong for at least two years before they can be eligible for subsidized tertiary education places.

A transition period has been set for the academic year 2027-2028, when dependent students applying for the subsidized places must prove that they have lived in Hong Kong for at least one year.

The new policy also excludes from subsidized tertiary-level education those who have fulltime work or hold a visa or entry permit for various admission schemes. They could still enroll at subsidized tertiary schools, but must pay non-subsidized fees charged to foreigners or non-residents..

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Currently, those who obtained dependent visa status before they turned 18 years old can apply for the 15,000 undergraduate places funded by the University Grants Committee, which means they get subsidy from the government.

The upcoming change was announced in the wake of complaints that some students who are receiving the government-subsidized places did not come to reside in Hong Kong but only took advantage of the benefit available to those with dependent visa status.

Critics said this unfairly affected the opportunities of locals for university admission and defeated the purpose of the subsidy

"The Education Bureau, having regard to overseas practices and the practical situation in Hong Kong, considers it necessary for dependent children to reside in Hong Kong for two years before becoming eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places," a government statement issued today said.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi said the government had looked at similar policies in such places as Singapore and the United Kingdom and considered the views of various stakeholders before deciding on the change.

To qualify for subsidized tertiary school education, a dependent children must have either enrolled as a full-time student in a Hong Kong school for two years before the higher education program begins, or prove that they have not stayed away from the city for more than 90 days in each of those two years.

The residency requirement will be set at one year for the 2027-2028 school year as a transitional move, before the two-year requirement takes full effect for the next academic year.

The Bureau said the policy change is not likely “to have a significant impact on families with genuine intentions to come to Hong Kong for development".

TikTok partners with DMW against online job scams

 

DMW officials and TikTok executives sign the agreement on World Day vs Trafficking

The world’s leading short video platform, TikTok Pte. Ltd has partnered with the Department of Migrant Workers to combat online job scams through stricter content monitoring, and taking down suspicious posts on overseas recruitments of Filipinos.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans J. Cacdac signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TikTok PH Public Policy Head Yves Gonzales during the celebration of World Day Against Trafficking on Wednesday, July 30 at the DMW headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

According to the DMW, the agreement commits to enhancing digital safeguard to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against online illegal recruitment, and to promote user empowerment through information dissemination.

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The DMW post quoted Secretary Cacdac as saying, “Sa TikTok mas mapapalakas ang ating laban kontra illegal recruitment. (With TikTok we will strengthen our campaign against illegal recruitment). We are being alert, Tiktok is a means in which we fight illegal recruitment, we ensnare the illegal recruiters.”

But the collaboration is not new. Since 2023 the DMW has worked with TikTok Philippines in taking down a total of 41,000 fake job postings and deactivating the user accounts behind the suspicious posts.

This time, DMW and TikTok will also collaborate on the account verification and information dissemination of legitimate and trusted source of information, while banning fraudulent accounts involved in severe or repeated acts of illegal recruitment.

TikTok Philippines has also undertaken to help DMW in its digital investigation and content moderation protocols.

TikTok Public Policy Manager Peachy Paderna who was one of the signatories of the MOU said public safety is their top priority.

Also joining the signing ceremony was DMW Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Service Dominique Rubia-Tutay who warned that while the partnership may fail to close down scammers’ accounts, their fake job posting will surely be taken down.

(Anybody who wants to report a suspicious job recruitment post on TikTok or any social media may send a message to the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons page here:  https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip)

Pinoy jailed 13 months for overstaying 20 years

 

A Filipino who holds a recognizance form to serve as his identity document, was jailed today for 15 months after pleading guity to overstaying his visa for 20 years.

Fidel de Austria Jr., 71 years old, was convicted of breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, by Magistrate Jeffrey Sze in a hearing at the Shatin Court.

De Austria admitted a police charge of overstaying in Hong Kong from Oct. 24, 2000, or two weeks after his visitor’s visa expired, to May 19 this year when he was arrested.

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His recognizance form identifies him as a torture claimant seeking asylum in the Hong Kong.

In another case heard by Magistrate Sze, a Filipina received a 20-day jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, after she also pleaded guilty to violating her condition of stay by overstaying for one year.

Under the sentence, Marilyn Samuel, 42 years old, will not have to stay in jail if she does not reoffend within the next 18 months.

Samuel admitted staying in Hong Kong after her domestic worker contract was terminated on March 9, 2024.

She was registered to have overstayed between April 27, 2024, when her last visa extension expired, until  she was arrested on June 9 this year.

Arnell Ignacio, 8 others charged with plunder and graft over P1.4 billion land deal

 

Ignacio faces up to life in prison if convicted of plunder

The Department of Migrant Workers announced Tuesday that it has filed plunder and graft charges against former Administrator Arnell Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and eight others, including his two former deputies, over an allegedly anomalous purchase of a parcel of land for P1.4 billion.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement, saying the filing of charges with the Office of the Ombudsman was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for accountability in public service, which he emphasized in his State of the Nation (SONA) address on Monday.

“With respect to the investigation that we had concerning the P1.4B land acquisition deal at OWWA, we filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman against the former administrator and two former deputy administrators in relation to the deliberate bypassing of OWWA Board of Trustees under highly questionable circumstances that amount to violations of various laws,” said Cacdac in a press briefing.

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He said six other people who had sold the land, were also included in the charge sheet.

While Cacdac did not mention the two other former OWWA officials charged with Ignacio, previous media reports identified ex deputy administrator Emma Sinclair as among those being investigated. The other deputy administrator who served under Ignacio was lawyer Honey Quiño.

Cacdac said it was unusual that the OWWA Board was left out on the transaction since the two deputy administrators had been with OWWA for some time and should have been familiar with the agency’s processes.

Ignacio denied any wrongdoing at a press conference in May, after he was sacked

Ignacio was unceremoniously removed as OWWA chief on May 16 this year, and was immediately replaced with former DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne "PY" Caunan.

A few days after his sacking Ignacio spoke out in public to deny any wrongdoing, and said everything that he did was for the benefit of overseas Filipino workers.

The case arose over OWWA’s acquisition of a 1.5-hectare property near Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in September 2024, which was supposedly to be used in building a halfway-house for distressed or displaced OFWs.

DMW said the property was unsuitable for development because it is very close to the airport runway.

The Department also discovered that the land had come with 52 condominium units, which formed part of the property evaluation of Land Bank. This was the reason the selling price had reached Php1.4 billion.

The DMW learned later on that the condominiums were demolished for reasons that were unclear.

Secretary Cacdac also said that OWWA’s board of directors, which he chairs, was not consulted on the land deal, much less asked for approval, as should have been the case. 

Under its charter, the OWWA Board should have authorized the deed of sale for the land, as well as the supplemental agreement subsequently entered into by Ignacio and the sellers.

During the investigation, it was also found out that there were other documents, particularly vouchers and checks related to the land acquisition, that were signed before the sale was finalized. 

“We discovered there were vouchers and checks signed prior to the Deed of Sale. So that’s among the other things that completely bolstered and supported our case. There are few others but this is the biggest that we unearthed at the course of the investigation,” said Cacdac.

He also said the DMW will give updates later on whether they will also file a civil case for damages as a result of the transaction.

PCG witnesses re-installation of Rizal marker on D’Aguilar street

 

Congen Israel (with lanyard) was among those who witnessed the marker's reinstallation

Officers of the Philippine Consulate led by Consul General Romulo Israel attended the re-installation of a commemorative plaque at No 5, D’Aguilar Street in Central where the national hero, Dr. José Rizal, used to have his ophthalmic clinic.

Staff at the Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office Hong Kong led by assistant curator Sam Wu installed a replacement plaque on July 18 after the previous one was taken off during maintenance work on Century Square building.

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The historical marker, originally installed in 2012, marks the spot of Dr Rizal’s clinic which he ran along with a second one on nearby Duddel Street, when he lived in the city between 1891 and 1892. 

A separate plaque has been placed on Rednaxela Terrace in Mid-Levels, where Dr Rizal had his residence.

The new marker should be able to withstand the test of time better

HKAMO decided to replace the original metal marker with a new one which retains its original content, but is made of polyurethane plastic which can better withstand natural wear and tear or unintended pressure.

Consul General Israel was joined by Vice Consul Alan Revote, head of the cultural section, as well asrepresentatives of Sentro Rizal Hong Kong and Knights of Rizal, in witnessing the installation of the new marker on the exact spot where the main door of the building used to be during Dr Rizal’s stay there more than a century ago.

Apart from the D’Aguilar site, Filipinos and other people interested in Philippine history are encouraged to visit the Rizal markers, as well as the one on Morrison Hill Road Playground in Wan Chai, where the first Philippine flag was sewn.

A marker has also been placed by the Knights of Rizal at the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley over the grave of Elizabeth Jane McBride Bracken, the mother of Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken.

 

 

 

 

 

Longtime OFW cancer patient among beneficiaries of DMW’s Aksyon Fund

 

Juvy is always happy to take part in activities organized by Bethune House 

For the past seven years, Juvy Abuan Bustamante has lived with breast cancer, although you may not guess it from the way she looks, and her usually sunny disposition.

Juvy, who has worked in Hong Kong as a domestic helper for the past 30 years, is lucky to have an employer who continues to sign her up despite her condition, allowing her to get much-needed medical treatment at a much lower cost.

This is especially crucial now that Juvy has been told that she will have to undergo chemotherapy for life, after her cancer has progressed to stage 4.

But Juvy who is 56 and single, does not let that dominate her mood and outlook. She continues to work when she’s not undergoing chemo every three weeks, and at the same time, help her fellow overseas Filipino workers through the Mission for Migrant Workers as part of her union activities.

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She also spends time visiting fellow cancer patients who are being supported by the Mission and Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, which have both helped her in the most trying of times, including when she had to undergo mastectomy and had nowhere to go post-surgery. 

MWO HK posted this picture of Aksyon Fund beneficiaries, including Juvy

Last Saturday, she also received financial aid from the Philippine government, through the “Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan” or Aksyon Fund of the Department of Migrant Workers.

The P75,000 she received was part of the second tranche of Aksyon Fund granted to seriously ill and needy OFWs in Hong Kong worth a total of more than Php657,000.

The money was distributed by the Migrant Workers Office to eight OFWs stricken with cancer (breast, colon, cervix and tongue cancer) who each got Php75,000; and  one involved in a labor case, who received Php50,000.00 and PhP7,132.00 for her air fare as part of the Post’s repatriation assistance.

Juvy said she was glad that The SUN had alerted her about the Aksyon Fund, and took her to Social Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino, who ticked off all the documents she needed to bring to get approved for the financial assistance.

Previously, Juvy said she had approached the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to ask for any kind of assistance they could give her, but was dissuaded by the long list of documents  that she was asked to provide.

She is glad that there is now an Aksyon Fund that she could use to pay the token amounts she is charged each time she goes to the hospital for her treatments.

“Salamat at nabibigyan na ng financial support ang mga katulad kong may sakit na malubha, dahil sa tingin ko ay may obligasyon naman talaga ang gobyerno na tumulong dahil sa mga naibayad na namin magmula ang lumabas kami sa Pilipinas,” said Juvy. (Grateful because those who are seriously ill like me are already getting help, because to my mind, I think the government has the obligation to help us because of the amount of money we have contributed since we left the Philippines).

She was particularly grateful to Marcelino who went out of her way to ensure she was only asked for documents that were absolutely necessary to prove her medical condition.

On Marcelino’s advice, Juvy said she would follow up on the progress of a separate application for medical help that she had filed with OWWA.

Armed with what she learned from working on her Aksyon Fund and OWWA applications, Juvy said she should now be able to help fellow OFWs who are struggling to pay their medical bills while trying to hold on to their jobs - and sanity.

According to MWO Hong Kong, the Akyon Fund is in line with “the commitment of DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac to provide immediate and effective relief to OFWs in distress, ensuring their safety, security, and well-being.

Officer-in-Charge Antonio R. Villafuerte led the release of funds assisted by Assistant Labor Attaché Nemesia Karen E. Arlan, Attache Marcelino and staff Rio Abegail T. Villonez.

The Aksyon Fund is also available for those who need assistance with their legal cases, repatriation of OFW remains, and other similar interventions to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs.

Those who are in need of such help may visit the MWO office on the 29^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty so they can be guided with their application.

 

 

Marcos chides the corrupt in third SONA

 

President Marcos (inset) delivers his third State of the Nation Address
before a joint session of Congress

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today chided corrupt government officials involved in failed flood-control projects, as the country emerged from inundation brought by three storms that dumped the southwest monsoon rains.

“Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino (you should be ashamed towards your fellow Filipinos),” he said as members of Congress gathered for his State of the Nation address at the Batasang Pambansa gave him a standing ovation.

“Let us not pretend anymore. The whole public already knows the racketeering going on involving the projects – kickbacks, initiative, errata, SOP (standard operating procedures), ‘for the boys,'” he said.

“… Be ashamed because our fellow Filipinos were swept by floods or were submerged in floodwaters. Be ashamed towards our children who will inherit that debt incurred because of what you committed, because you pocketed the funds,” he said in Filipino.

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He said the Department of Public Works and Highways will list and review all flood control projects that were started or completed in the last three years; identify those that failed, the unfinished, and the ghost projects, and make them public so that taxpayers can “share what they know that will help in our investigations.”

The President also warned that he would not sign any proposed national budget that would not be aligned with the administration’s programs. “… for the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditures Program.  And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget,” he added.

During his speech, Mr. Marcos compared his administration to that of his predecessor, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

The anti-drug campaign in the first three years of his administration has nearly matched the accomplishments during the full six years of the Duterte administration, with more than 153,000 individuals arrested, 9,600 of them high-value targets, he said.

“Most alarming was that more than 677 of them were government personnel — over 100 were elected officials, and more than 50 were police officers,” he said.

Marcos also criticized the 10 years that the 48 Chinese-made Dalian trains had been in storage after being purchased in 2014 for ₱3.76-billion by then President Noynoy Aquino Jr. for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

The taxpayers waited too long for a service they had already paid for, he said. 

“But now, we’ve fixed it,” he said, noting that three carriages are now operational, with more coming on line before year-end after modifications to address weight and system compatibility issues, and safety clearances from independent evaluators.

At the same time, he said, the previous 20 percent fare discount at LRT and MRT for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students has been raised to 50 percent, he said. He also introduced the “One Plus Three” Family Pass, a Sunday-only promo allowing one paying passenger to bring up to three family members for free on select rail lines.

But the President gave thanks to OFWs “Because of them, the Filipino skills, kindness and heart are showcased in all corners of the world,” he said.

Their personal remittances grew to US$3.02 billion (about P171 billion) in February 2025, up by 2.6 percent from the US$2.95 billion, or P167 billion the previous year.

The yearly address, Mr. Marcos’ third, also touched on the following topics:

Foreign policy: “In the face of new threats to our peace and sovereignty, we are now more resolute in our preparations, vigilance, and self-defense. Nevertheless, we remain restrained and patient, especially in guarding our entire archipelago and in protecting our national interests…. Then as now, our foreign policy remains the same: the Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none.”

Foreign investment: “My single resounding message to the international business community is this: The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino… Our dependable and hardworking Filipinos, innately skilled, adaptable, and possessed with a heart for service, are here, ready to work and to succeed with you.” He also reported that in his official visit to the United States last week, he secured over $21 billion (around P1.19 trillion), in investment pledges in the healthcare, infrastructure, semiconductor, renewable energy, and digital technology sectors.

P20 per kilo rice: “We have proven that we can implement the P20 per kilo rice. Our farmers will not lose income…. As of July, the subsidized rice is available at 123 locations nationwide, including 88 Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers, public market stalls, local government units, and other government-run outlets…. We will allocate P113 billion to bolster the programs of the Department of Agriculture, we will launch these nationwide through hundreds of Kadiwa stores and centers in different local government units.”

Electrification:  2.5 million households have been given access to electricity since 2022, reducing the number of households without power to around two million. “Even though we are well known for valuing renewable energy, energy problems continue to affect every Filipino — such as three million households still without electricity, frequent brownouts, and high power prices.”

Water supply: “We have received so many complaints that the water doesn’t even reach their faucets…. We will ensure that those who neglect and fail in this important public service are held accountable.”

School classrooms: The President said 40,000 new classrooms will be built before the end of his term in 2028, in partnership with the private sector. He also promised: “You can be assured that your competence will not be measured merely by the number of students you pass, but by the number of learners you help improve and inspire to aim higher in life.”

Healthcare: “In the span of three years, we increased the number of public hospitals and specialty centers. We have also established 53 Bucas centers across 32 provinces in the country. These centers offer free check-ups, x-rays, lab tests, and more—providing immediate outpatient services without the need for hospital confinement…. Each of the  1,642 cities and municipalities in the country now have at least a doctor.” He said those who get treated at public hospitals will no longer have to pay for their stay, but did not specify whether related expenses like medicines and surgery will also be free.

On the missing sabungeros: “We will go after and hold accountable the masterminds and those involved — be it civilians or officials…. No matter how strong, heavily influential or wealthy they are, they will not prevail over the law.”

 

 

Pinoy pro theater group to hold free acting/writing workshop for OFWs

 

Bootstrap Theatre founder William Elvin tells OFWs why they should join the worshop 

Fresh from the successful staging of its maiden play, “Fake,” the Bootstrap Theatre team made up mostly of Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, has opened registration for its acting and scriptwriting workshop for migrant domestic workers to be held from September 14 to November 16 at Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town.

Bootstrap founder William Elvin Manzano, a renowned theater actor, director, writer, composer and singer, visited Bayanihan earlier Sunday, to announce the workshop and encourage the Filipino domestic workers who were there to take part.

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The free theater workshop titled “Teatro Bayanihan Tayo” intends to help FDWs gain self-confidence and discover their hidden talents while taking a break from their day-to-day grind.

It's the first such workshop to be held since renowned film and stage director Behn Cervantes did a month-long acting training for OFWs in the early 2000s, and National Artist for Film Ricky Lee conducted a day-long scriptwriting seminar in 2016.

Poster for Teatro Bayanihan

The workshop will be held from 2pm to 5pm over 10 Sundays from September 14 to November 16. Anybody who wants to learn how to act or write a script is welcome to join on a first come, first served basis.

Those interested are asked to register by sending a message to the Facebook page, "Teatro Bayanihan Tayo!" Link is here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578706853112.

Slots are limited so those interested are urged to register immediately.

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The Bootstrap Theatre’s seasoned talents led by William Elvin, will conduct the workshop.

TBT describes itself in its Facebook page as “a Filipino-centric theatre group based in Hong Kong, staging contemporary, socially relevant straight plays and musicals written by Filipino playwrights for an international, multicultural audience.”

Its debut play, “Fake”, which dramatized the unraveling of two big hoaxes in Philippine history, left audiences enthralled during its two stagings on June 7 at The Fringe Club in Central.

 

 

 

Single bettor wins $53M in special Mark Six draw

 

Stanley Street betting station is known as 'luckiest' among punters (HKJC photo) 

Only one bettor won the $53 million that was at stake in the 81^st Mark Six Summer Snowball Draw held Thursday night.

The winning numbers were 19, 22, 25, 32, 33, 45 and the special number was 36.

One lucky ticket won the grand prize that totaled $53,095,300.

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Seven tickets won the second prize, with each receiving HK$718,820.

The third prize will be divided among 238.5 winning bets, with each receiving $56,260.

Among those who had placed a bet, hoping to win the snowball windfall, was a number of foreign domestic workers.

One of them, MM, said she rarely bought a ticket to the lucky draw, but decided to buy one this time because of the huge amount involved.

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Had she won the first prize, or even the second or third, she said she would go back home and use the money to start a business, or if it was big enough, she’d buy a new house.

The biggest ever Mark Six pot was $193 million, which was also won by a single bettor in the Lunar New Year Snowball in February this year.

Punters packed Jockey Club betting stations all over Hong Kong earlier that day hoping for a shot at the top prize, resulting in a turover of over $380 million

The next Mark Six draw is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20, with the first prize win estimated at $8 million.

 

 

Filipinos continue to visit HK in record numbers

 

Ngong Ping is one of Hong Kong's top draws for Filipinos

Filipino tourists continue to flock to Hong Kong, helping boost the city's visitor arrivals to 24 million in the first half of the year, for a 12% increase compared to the same period last year.

While Mainland visitors make up 70% of the tourist arrivals in this period, totaling 17.8 million overall for a 10% increase; four Asian territories including the Philippines also made their presence felt.

Non-mainland visitors accounted for 5.84 million arrivals, a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines recorded an impressive growth of 25% or more.

PINDUTIN DITO

Figures from the Hong Kong Tourism Board show that in the first five months of the year alone, a record 556,078 Filipinos visited Hong, for a 26.9% increase year-on-year.

Last year, HKTB said a record-breaking 1.19 million Filipino visitors came to Hong Kong, making them the third-largest group of visitors, following those from mainland China and Taiwan.

Full data from June are not yet available, but given the trend this year, it is likely the figure for Filipino tourists in the first half of the year should be around 580,000.

The Philippines only ranked sixth in 2018, a record year for Hong Kong tourism.

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Despite the dropping value of the Philippine peso vis-a-vis the US dollar, the country’s strong economic growth and its proximity to Hong Kong are seen as the drivers for the continuing influx of Filipinos.

Long-haul travellers are also increasing in numbers, accounting for an 18% increase year-on-year, with visitors from Australia up by 33% in the same period.

HKTB says the steady rise in the number of tourist arrivals is due to its targeted promotional events and enhanced connectivity.

The reopening of key border checkpoints including the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Port have also helped boost local tourism.

 

New anti-mosquito drive launched against chikungunya fever

FEHD personnel distribute anti-mosquito leaflets

The Hong Kong government has lstepped up its campaign against mosquitos to prepare against the wet and hot season that seasonally sees an increase in mosquito-borne diseases.

This time, the campaign is focusing on chikungunya fever, a viral and incurable disease that has been identified in over 110 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its main symptoms are fever and debilitating joint pain which causes the stooped appearance of patients that gave it the name  “chikungunya”, which means “to become contorted” in the Kimakonde language in Africa.

The campaign is led by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Department of Health.

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In an announcement, FEHD said it has begun convening meetings of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts, which include the Housing Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to strengthen inspections in public areas, public housing estates and parks..

“Targeted and sustained mosquito control actions will be carried out at locations with higher mosquito infestation risks, based on the latest Gravidtrap Index for Aedes albopictus,” it sad. These measures include conducting fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes, removal of stagnant water and water-holding containers, application of larvicides (e.g. temephos sand granules), and installation of mosquito traps.

FEHD said inspections will be stepped up at construction sites, works areas and private residences.

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“The FEHD also invites the Housing Department and property management companies to conduct mosquito control campaigns in housing estates and encourages resident participation; working with the District Offices to assist in mosquito prevention and control at locations with infestation issues, such as ‘three-nil’ buildings; and strengthening public education and publicity through promotional videos, posters and leaflets to remind the public to adopt mosquito control measures,” it said.

As for the public, FEHD issued this advice:

• Keep the environment clean by disposing of rubbish properly. Refuse like empty cans and food containers where water can accumulate easily should be disposed of in covered litter containers;
• Clean the saucers under potted plants weekly and prevent water accumulation;
• Change the water in vases and scrub their internal surface every week;
• Keep water-storage containers, such as buckets and basins, tightly covered; 
• Check umbrella stands, umbrella tubes and air-conditioner drip trays to prevent any water accumulation.
• Keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the water accumulation.
• Scrub all drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergents at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
• Call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and visit the Centre for Health Protection's thematic webpage: www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/109029.html for more information on chikungunya fever.

Filipina claiming torture from husband, gives up 3-year bid to stay in HK

 

Judicial review applications are always lodged with the High Court

A Filipina former domestic worker who overstayed her visa in Hong Kong in 2019, then proceeded to file a claim for non-refoulement on the basis of torture, has given up her application to remain in the city, saying she was no longer in harm’s way.

Accordingly, High Court Judge Bruno Chan handed down a decision yesterday, July 24, dismissing her application for a judicial review of the order denying her bid to remain in the city.

J.M., 35 years old, had sought asylum status in Hong Kong in May, 2022 after surrendering for overstaying her visa for three years. She claimed that her husband in the Philippines would harm her after learning of her long-running affair with another man in Hong Kong.

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J.M, who is married and has three children with her husband in Batangas, said it was her lover who told her husband about their affair after she jilted him for abusing her.

After learning about the affair, JM's husband allegedly called her up and threatened to kill her if she returned to the Philippines. That was the reason she decided to surrender to Immigration and raised her non-refoulement claim, said the Filipina.

But on Aug. 31, 2022 the Director of Immigration ruled that there was no evidence of any real intention on the part of her husband to seriously harm or kill JM, but only uttered angry words and empty threats.

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In addition, the Director said there was no record of any past ill-treatments from the husband, and in any event, it was a private domestic dispute between the two of them, and did not involve the state or the authorities.

If she decided to go back home, she could easily move far from her husband as the Philippines has a vast territory, with a functioning security and judicial system.

The applicant appealed the decision to the Torture Claims Adjudication Board (TCAB) but this was also dismissed on July 12, 2023.

On Aug 21 of the same year, J.M. filed an application for leave for a judicial review of the Director and TCAB’s decisions copies of which she attached, but without citing any grounds.

“As such, and in the absence of any error of law or irrationality or procedural unfairness in her process before the Board or in its decision being clearly and properly identified by the Applicant, I do not find any reasonably arguable basis for her intended challenge,” said Judge Chan.

The judge then noted that J.M. had written to the court on Apr 11 this year, requesting that her application for leave be canceled, saying it was now safe for her to return to the Philippines.

Given that he found no reasonable prospect of success for the applicant’s intended application for judicial review and her own confirmation that she could now safely return home, the judge dismissed the case.