INC rally for ‘transparency’ draws up to 650k people

 

Estimates put the number of people at the peak of the INC rally at 650,000

The three-day rally for transparency and accountability called by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) remained strong on its second day today, Monday, with an estimated 600,000 people remaining at the Luneta Park venue.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office estimated the crowd at the Quirino Grandstand to have swelled to 650,000 at its peak on Sunday.

But contrary to speculations, the INC rally did not call for the resignation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., but merely reiterated a demand for transparency in government and accountability for all those implicated in the multi-billion peso corruption scandal in public works.

DETAILS HERE

INC general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago, Jr. who spoke first at the Sunday rally, clarified that they are against any extra-legal means to address the corruption scandal. He openly rejected speculations that the church had organized the rally to call for the overthrow of the Marcos administration.

“Basta ‘yung hakbang magbubunga ng karahasan at kaguluhan, hindi tayo sang-ayon diyan. Ang gusto natin, lahat ng solusyon, lahat ng hakbang, dapat sumunod sa paraang legal at payapa,” Santiago said.

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(Any steps that would lead to violence or chaos we do not condone. What we are after are solutions and steps that will conform to law and order).

It was clear, though, that the church was not siding with Marcos, either, with leaders emphasizing that they are after the preservation of the government as an institution, and not the person who currently leads it.

Imee vans distributed water and buns to rally participants

It was also clear to observers that the rally was closely aligned with anti-Marcos groups. Senator Imee Marcos, who has been at odds with President Marcos, distributed bottled water and nutribuns during the rally, and during her speech on Monday, shocked many by saying her brother as well as his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons are drug addicts.

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, who has repeatedly expressed his disaffection with President Marcos in public, distributed free porridge to participants.

Non-INC observers also noticed that the anti-Marcos sentiment was evident among those who were at the rally, similar to an earlier mobilization they had on January 13 this year when they condemned moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

What could not be denied was that ahead of the mass rally, former Ako Bicol representative and former chair of the House appropriations committee Zaldy Co released a series of videos claiming House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Marcos to the flood control corruption mess.

Groups calling for Marcos to resign led by retired generals also held a simultaneous rally at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. However, instead of around 300,000 people that were expected to show up on Sunday, only 4,000 actually came, and by Monday, the crowd was even sparser.

But the unease appeared to have had an effect on the President. On the second day of the INC rally, the Palace announced the resignation of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who were both linked to the growing scandal. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto was immediately named to take over Bersamin’s post, while his own post was given to Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

 

Pinay DH gets 24 months in jail for $2.5m money laundering

 

File photo

A Filipina domestic  helper was jailed today for 24 months after she pleaded guilty fo three counts of money laundering, in which her three bank accounts were used as depositories of a total of almost $2.5 million derived from crime.

Reamae Davila, 40 years old, was meted the sentence by Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang in a hearing at Tuen Mun Court. It's normally the highest prison term that a magistrate can impose for a single offence.

Her penalty is actually a summary of three sentences: 12 months imprisonment for the first charge, 24 months for the second and six months for the third. Since Magistrate Tang ordered that the three sentences run at the same time, the longest term of 24 months became the final sentence.

DETAILS HERE

In all three cases, Davila  was charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, which is contrary to sections 25 (1) and 25 (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

In the first charge, Davila was accused of dealing wth $934,596.60 in her account with Bank Of China between 13 and 28 of May 2024 “… knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that property.., in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence,” accordng to the complaint filed by the Police Technology and Financial Crime Squad 1.

In the second charge, she was accused of dealing with $1,487,144.73 in her account with Mox Bank Limited between April 8 and June 29,2024.

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In the third case, Davila was charged with dealing in $73,429 between 13and 16 of May 2024 through her account with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

 

PCG HK undergoes major facelift; temporary offices set

 

Renovation work at the PCG is expected to last for a year

The Philippine Consulate General office on the 14^th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty will be shut temporarily to the general public until an unspecified date, to pave way for much-needed renovation.

It will be the first time that the office occupying the entire floor of the building will undergo a facelift since the PCG began occupying it in the early 2000s, after entering into a lease-purchase agreement with the vendor-landlord.

DETAILS HERE

Starting today, Nov. 16, the PCG will transfer all its offices providing consular services to either the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of United Centre, or the 26^th or the 29^th floor of the same building, which currently houses the Migrant Workers Office.

According to one officer, the much-needed renovation is expected to last an entire year, leaving the offices under the PCG scattered on different floors of the building.

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The move-out actually began last October 26, when the assistance to nationals and the overseas voting registration offices were moved to the 26^th floor.

From this Sunday, the following offices will also be moved to the 26^th floor: Visa Services and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre (PTIC) Hong Kong.

To be moved to the OFW Global Center on the 18^th floor are the civil registry, notarial and passport services.

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Sharing the MWO office on the 29^th floor starting today are PAG-Ibig Hong Kong and the Social Security Services (SSS) Hong Kong.

For details, contact the PCG main line at 2823 8500/ 8501 or its hotline: 9155 4023. 

13-degree weather forecast for HK on Wednesday

 

Time to take out those hoodies again by early next week (File)

Temperatures are set to plunge in Hong Kong starting on Monday due to a surge of dry northeast monsoon air which will initially bring warm weather before a marked cool-down.

The northeast monsoon will reach the coast of Guangdong on Monday night, causing noticeably cooler weather to inland areas.

DETAILS HERE

Winds are expected to strengthen on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing temperatures to drop even more. The Strong Monsoon Signal is likely to be raised.

From around 27 degrees in the urban areas by Monday afternoon, the temperature will plunge to about 15 degrees celsius by Tuesday morning, the lowest so far this season.

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Scattered rainshowers are expected to cool the air some more, with temperatures dropping further to between 13 and 15 degrees on Wednesday in the urban areas, including Tsim Sha Tsui.

Many other districts, especially those in the New Territories, are expected to register temperatures of 12 degrees or below, necessitating a cold weather warning. 

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These include Tseung Kwan O, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Sheung Shui and Tin Shui Wai, while Ta Kwu Ling and Shek Kong will register temperatures of 11 degrees or lower.

Ahead of the dip, Saturday will be mostly cloudy with sunny intervals and temperatures of 21°C to 25°C. Sunday will be dry and slightly warmer, with temperatures of  22°C to 26°C.

Monday will start mainly fine and dry with temperatures rising to 27 degrees in the urban areas, before gradually dipping as the northerly winds set in.

The cold weather will continue to linger for two more days before easing gradually during the weekend, when the daytime temperatures will climb back to between 23 and 24 degrees.

Pinay jailed 20 months for laundering US$$133,300

 

The case was heard at District Court

A Filipina has been jailed by the District Court for 20 months for money laundering, for having dealt with US$$133,300 (equivalent to HK$1,036,347.51 in today’s conversion rate) that had been deposited and withdrawn from her bank account.

Deputy District Judge Jason Wan handed down the sentence Friday to Joselhen Rocero after she pleaded guilty to violating section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

DETAILS HERE

Rocero’s penalty was net of the usual one-third discount given to those who plead guilty,

The case landed in the District Court because the currency involved was the US dollar, which indicated that the money launderng activity in which Rocero’s bank account was used, crossed Hong Kong’s borders.

DETAILS HERE

The amended charge filed by the Department of Justice last Nov, 13, accused her of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” between May 30, 2023 and June 10, 2023.

The charge said Rocero dealt with crime money “together with an unknown person” using her account with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

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Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, “a person commits an offence if, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that any property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence, he deals with that property.”

It prescribes these maximum penalties:

• On conviction upon indictment to a fine of $5,000,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years; or
• On summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years.

20 suspected illegal workers and 6 employers arrested

 

A suspected illegal worker is taken away along with his bicycle

A total of 26 people have been arrested in a week-long operation to flush out illegal workers carried out jointly by operatives of the Immigration Department, along with the HK Police, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 

Those arrested comprised 20 suspected illegal workers and six employers, who were rounded up in a series of raids carried out from November 7 to 13.

DETAILS HERE

Targeted during the operation were restaurants, flats being renovated, warehouses and massage parlours among others.

The suspected illegal workers comprised 12 men and eight women, aged 29 to 62. Among them, a man and a woman were found in possession of Hong Kong identity cards which they are suspected to have used to gain employment.

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Four men and two women, aged 38 to 57, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

Immigration said in a statement that an investigation into the suspected employers is continuing, and have not ruled out further arrests.

8 women were among those arrested in the latest raids

Anyone found to have worked without permission from Immigration such as tourists, domestic helpers and imported workers are liable to prosecution and imprisonment. They will be charged with violating their visa conditions and could be jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of $50,000.

The maximum jail term rises to three years if the offender is an overstayer, an illegal immigrant, or subject to a removal or deportation order.

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Employers of illegal workers could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $500,000.

To report illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Biggest 'Lamma Fun Day' set for Saturday

 

Nearly 50 bands will play at four different locations

Hong Kong’s longest-running, free music festival, Lamma Fun Day returns for its 22^nd year this coming Saturday, Nov. 15.

The day-long festival includes a charity bazaar, fun run, live music across four locations and tasty food from top Yung Shue Wan restaurant.

DETAILS HERE

Through these various activities, Lamma Fun Day aims to raise money for notable charities. In 2024, the festival raised $250,000 for CWS projects in Nepal, including anti-human trafficking initiatives such as prevention and rehabilitation targeting children and young women.

Organizers say this year’s even is their biggest ever, with almost 50 musical acts from all over Hong Kong keeping partygoers entertained from four different states.

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The famous Lamma Fun Day charity auction is back this year, with a wide selection of items including dining vouchers, festival passes, holidays and hotel stays and original artworks from Lamma’s resident artists Harry Harrison and Liz Fry Design. Visit the charity auction page for full details on all the lots and how and when to bid for them.

The bazaar is a good place for Christmas gift-hunting 

Those who are looking for some unique items to give away this Christmas season should check out the market stalls at the famous Lamma Fun Day bazaar. Shopping has always been an essential part of making the event a success.

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Also on this day, the Lamma8 charity run is making a comeback, with two races, one for 8km and another for 14 km. Those who are interested to join may sign up through this link.

The charity run is alwasy something to look forward to 

For more details, visit: https://pangyao.org/lamma-fun-day/

 

 

2 Pinay DHs get contrasting sentences for theft

 

Theft took place in this Lei King Wan building (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to stealing $102,000 worth of jewelry, while another avoided getting jailed after she was meted three weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months for the theft of $500 in cash.

DETAILS HERE

Rosa Mund Leones, 35 years old. was jailed by David Cheung Chi-wai, Principal Magistrate at Eastern Court, who shortened her sentence by one third from a starting point of 12 months to credit her admission to violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

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Leones, who is unemployed after being terminated due to the theft, was accused of taking three rings, one bracelet, three gold pellets and one pendant, valued at a total of $102,000 from June to September 2025, at her employer’s flat in On Ping Mansion, Lei King Wan, on Lei King Road in Sai Wan Ho.

In the other theft case at West Kowloon Court, Gilda Jimenez, 45 years old. also pleaded guilty to stealing $500 in cash from her employer’s flat in a building on 21 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, last Oct. 15.

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Magistrate Winnie Lau spared Jimenez from serving her term in jail by suspending the sentence for 18 months.

She will not see the inside of  jail cell if she does not reoffend for 24 months.

 

OFWs take to stage for Talent Showcase

 

After attending lectures by seasoned theater artists from Bootstrap Theatre Hong Kong and taking part in a workshop that lasted five weeks, the first batch of overseas Filipino workers who trained with "Teatro Bayanihan Tayo" is ready to take to the stage to show off their talent.

DETAILS HERE

The free showcase will happen this coming Sunday, November 16, at the Grand Assembly Hall on the 4^th floor of the YMCA on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Audience registration will start at 1:30 pm while the show itself will start at 2pm. 

Bootstrap founder and playwright-director William Elvin Manzano said the OFWs will do more than just act in the show.

William Elvin lectures on acting to the OFW-talents

“We focused on rehearsing their original monologues, some of which were written by the workshoppers themselves. They memorized their chosen monologues and rehearsed them for five weeks after our acting lectures,” said Manzano

The result is something that makes Bootstrap happy and proud of the workshoppers, he added.

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“Happy to have shared the art of theatre and storytelling to them, and excited with what more we can do moving forward.”

Future plans include featuring the OFW talents in the video segments that will be shown alongside the live performance of Bootstrap’s next production, “JOB: Fateful Fever Dream” which will be staged in July next year.

A film project that will feature the new OFW performers along with veteran actors is also in the offing.

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“We aim to further hone their craft by letting them work with professional actors,” said Manzano.

Those who want to watch the free show should send a message to Teatro Bayanihan Tayo at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578706853112 or by downloading the app of

to Prime Gems by Prime Credit and ConnecTies at (https://pgems.info/app).

 The free workshop and talent show is sponsored by Prime Gems by Prime Credit and ConnecTies.

 

Pinay denies possession of someone else’s HKID

 

Kowloon City Court

A Filipina who holds a recognizance form to serve as her identity document, denied on Wednesday a charge at Kowloon City Court that she unlawfully had in her possession a Hong Kong identity card that was in someone elses’ name.

With Irealle Gay Salazar, 38 years old, pleading not guilty, Magistrate Tsang Chung-yiu, scheduled a trial for Christmas eve -- on Dec. 24. He also placed her in jail custody while the case is pending.

DETAILS HERE

Police had said Salazar was arrested on July 28, 2025, outside 59 Woosung Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, for possession “without lawful authority or reasonable excuse” of a HKID in the name of Thapa Magar. Kamal.

The police complaint accused Salazar, who has a pending non-refoulement claim seeking to prevent Hong Kong from forcibly sending her back to the Philippines,  of violating section 7A(1A) of the Registration of Persons Ordinance, which states:

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 “Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse uses or has in his custody or possession an identity card or other document issued under this Ordinance which relates to another person commits an offence and is liable—

“(a) on conviction on indictment to a fine at level 6 ($100,000) and to imprisonment for 10 years; and

“(b) on summary conviction to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and to imprisonment for 2 years. (Added 56 of 1989 s. 4).”

Filipino DH held for alleged $520k theft

 

The alleged theft happened at this luxurious residential complex

A 39-year-old Filipino domestic helper has been arrested on suspicion of stealing around $520,000 in cash from her employer at a luxury flat in Happy Valley.

Police said on Wednesday that the employer, a 59-year-old Mainland woman living at The Leighton Hill on Broadwood Road, called up at around 9:30am that day to report the loss of $500,000 and RMB17,000 cash, and suspected her helper had stolen it.

DETAILS HERE

No other details of the alleged theft, including when the money was stolen, was immediately available. But it was reported that the Filipina had worked for the employer since June.

According to reports, the Filipina used to clean the employer's room evert morning, and was suspected to have taken the cash during one of those times.

Officers who went to investigate the report subsequently arrested the Filipina helper on suspicion of theft.

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She is still being held for further questioning by Wan Chai district investigation team.

 

Tulfo proposes special claims court for OFWs

 

Senator Raffy Tulfo says OFWs will be served better by a separate court for their labor cases (File)

Senator Raffy Tulfo who heads the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers has proposed the establishment of a Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC) that will handle all labour disputes involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Tulfo recently filed Senate Bill No 1489 or the proposed Migrant Workers Relations Commission Act, which seeks to address the protracted process of resolving labor disputes by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), including those involving OFWs.

Under the resolution, the MWRC will be a separate quasi-judicial body under the Department of Migrant Workers that will assume all labor claims and other disputes involving OFWs from the NLRC, including illegal termination, unpaid wages and various contract disputes.

DETAILS HERE

Tulfo said the NLRC processes more than 30,000 cases each year, which makes OFW cases especially susceptible to delays and backlogs.

“Although the NLRC is a well-established and vital organization, its responsibility extends to both local and overseas workers, resulting in a substantial increase in caseloads. Reports indicate that this large volume of cases has caused considerable delays, adversely affecting OFWs in their pursuit of justice,” he added.

Under the proposed bill, the MWRC will have jurisdiction over all cases involving Filipino migrant workers—both land-based and sea-based—to the exclusion of all other courts, tribunals, or quasi-judicial bodies.

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It will function under the DMW to promote a more coherent and consistent government policy on overseas employment.

Tulfo said the creation of the MWRC strengthens the government’s commitment to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

“Panahon na para magkaroon ng sariling korte ang ating mga OFW para sa mabilis, abot-kaya, at makataong hustisya!,” he said

(“It is time a separate court is set up for our OFWs to ensure a fast, reliable and humane justice system).