Protesters denounce Duterte terror list

By Vir B. Lumicao

Militant groups and peace advocates in Hong Kong have protested the terror listing of more than 600 people critical of the Duterte government’s human rights policies.

The protest on Mar 21 led by the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines was held at the lobby of the Consulate under the watchful eyes of over a dozen policemen.

Leaders of Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines take turns denouncing Duterte government policies and inclusion of 600 critics in the terrorist list,  during their protest at the lobby of the Consulate.

“Nais naming ipaabot sa ating gobyerno, itigil na po ang pandarahas, itigil na po ang pamamaslang, itigil na rin po yung pag-aakusa sa mga kritiko na sila ay mga terorista,” said Bayan Hong Kong & Macau chairman Eman Villanueva.

“Sa halip, pakinggan ang kanilang mga hinaing, pakinggan ang kanilang mga inihaharap na mga problema at resolbahin ang ito,Villanueva said, adding that there won’t be any protest if these issues are gone.

He later joined eight other rally leaders in a closed-door dialogue with Deputy Consul General Roderick Atienza.

Rally leaders in a closed-door dialogue with Deputy Consul General Roderick Atienza (right).

The protest focused on the inclusion of more than 600 human rights defenders nd government critics in a list of "terrorists" filed by the Department of Justice through senior assistant state prosecutor Peter Ong at a regional court in Manila on Feb 21.

The petition not only seeks to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army as terrorist organizations, it also named individuals as their supposed leaders or members. These include the dead, missing and members of paramilitary units accused of killing Lumads in Mindanao.

“This is a brazen and malicious attack of the Duterte government against leaders of progressive and patriotic organizations and revolutionary forces who opted not to be silent in the face of anti-people policies and dubious campaign of President Duterte against illegal drugs and corruption,” the protesters said in a statement.

They said the petition filed at the regional trial court was an attempt to sow fear among Duterte critics and another step towards putting the country under martial law.

Included in the government's terror list is Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and former chairwoman of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Also on the list are leaders of indigenous people’s groups who are actively fighting to preserve ancestral domains and their right to self-determination.

After the dialogue, DCG Atienza told The SUN that the leaders "basically elaborated a bit more” on their concerns during their discussions.

He said the main issue was the DOJ's terror list, the suspended peace talks with the communist rebels, the impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and several other concerns.

The Consulate will relay the protesters’ demands to the government in Manila as is the normal practice, Atienza said. 

The rally was supported by Legislative Councilors Fernando Cheung (Labour Party) and Au Nok-hin (Pan-Democrat), Civil Human Rights Front, League of Social Democrats, and members of the clergy Fr. Franco Mella, Fr. Dwight dela Torre of the Philippine Independent Church, and Pastor Joram Calimutan of ICCP.

Pwede mong salihan ito

CARITAS PROGRAMS

Saturday Basic Cantonese
May 12 – Aug 25 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic minorities in HK with HKID
Fee     : HK$100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre. G/F., No. 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong.

Saturday Basic Chinese Writing
Jun3 9 – Sept 22, 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic minorities in HK with HKID
Fee     : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Shek Kip Mei Centre. Rm. 107, 1/F, Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, 17 Tong Yam Street, Shek Kip Mei, KLN
For queries, call 2147-5988.

For Tinikling Lovers: The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of  male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts: The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players: The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball: Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

What's on where

Scriptwriting Workshop with Ricky Lee
A rare opportunity to learn from the Philippines' foremost screenwriter, novelist and author
Apr 5 (Thursday, Ching Ming Holiday) 9am - 5pm, 18th floor POLO Office,Mass Mutual Tower, Wanchai
Co-organized by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre and The SUN

Child Care Workers Professional Training
Apr 8 (Sunday), 12nn-5pm;Apr 14 (Saturday), 1-5pm
Polo Community Hall,18th floor, Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai.Those shortlisted must be at the venue one hour before the start to register. Maximum No of Participants: 50

President Duterte Visit
Apr 12 (Thursday), 3pm - 9pm, Venue to be announced
Open to everyone but registration with the Philippine Consulate is required. To register, send an email to prrd.hk2018@gmail.com and attach a copy of your passport's data page, HKID, and mobile phone number. Registration ends on Apr. 2

Saturday Free Child Care
The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on the following dates:
    Mar 29-April 2- Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday
    April 5  (Thursday)  - Ching Ming Festival
    April 12 (Thursday) - President Duterte's Visit
There will be no official business transactions at the Consulate and POLO on these dates. In case of emergency, please call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance),5529 1880 (POLO), 6345 9324 (OWWA)

CARD OFW HK Training Schedule
June 10, Livelihood Training;June 23, Saturday, Financial Literacy.Venue: Bayanihan Centre Kennedy Town
To register, call 95296392 or 54238196

“Singing While Filipino: Reflections on Authenticity and Labour” 
Lecturer: Dr. Anjeline de Dios, Lingnan University
April 9 (Monday), B5-417, AC1, Yeung Kin Man Academic Building, City
University, HK. Organized by: South East Asia Research Centre, CityU HK.
Open to the public

2 Filipinas with resident children fail to stop deportation

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two Filipina former helpers who overstayed after giving birth in Hong Kong have failed in their case challenging the Immigration director’s orders for their deportation.

The two mothers, identified only as RMA and GDC in separate cases that the High Court heard jointly on Jan 27, 2016, sought the review to prevent being sent home so they could be with their resident children.

In a judgment on Mar 23, High Court Judge Thomas Au dismissed the applications, saying the applicants failed in all their grounds for seeking a judicial review. 

“In relation to the RMA judicial review, I would also set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure,” the judge said.

The Court of First Instance took on the cases of RMA and GDC jointly because the first applicants are both mothers who have overstayed in Hong Kong and the second applicants are their children sired by Hong Kong resident fathers and born here.

RMA entered Hong Kong in 1998 to work as a domestic helper but her contract was prematurely terminated by her employer on June 28, 2002, the court said.

At the time, she had borne a child by her Filipino lover, a Hong Kong permanent resident. She gave birth on Jul 22, 2003 to SC, the second applicant, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident.

The man left both mother and child and got married in the Philippines in 2006. RMA surrendered to Immigration with SC in April 2007 and both were allowed bail.

RMA initially told Immigration she wanted to go home with her child but changed her mind and stayed on. The Immigration Director issued a removal order on Feb 14, 2008. She later cohabited with a Nigerian torture claimant with whom she had a daughter in 2011 and a son in 2012.

Applicant GDC, like RMA, came to Hong Kong in 1999 to work as a helper but was prematurely terminated in September 2010 when she wanted to go home “for rest”. She was pregnant at the time.

She applied for an extension of her visitor visa on the ground she was pregnant and needed to see a doctor every month.  She was allowed to stay until Oct 1, 2010 but she then overstayed.

GDC gave birth in January 2011 to JDS, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident receiving CSSA and attending school here. On Oct 15, 2011, she applied for a visa extension but it was then discovered that she had overstayed for over a year.

She told Immigration she was afraid of going home as her husband and parents did not know she got pregnant. When her husband found out, he threatened to kill her. She surrendered when she realized it was difficult to hide.  Her visa extension was refused.

In an interview with Immigration in late October 2011, GDC indicated she wanted to go home “as soon as possible because [she] wanted to settle with [her] husband in Philippines if he could accept [her]”.

In January 2012, she also lodged a torture claim, saying her husband would kill her and JDS if they returned to the Philippines. The torture claim was still being processed then.

Gladys Li SC of Daly and Associates represented the applicants in both judicial reviews.

The two cases were granted leave for judicial review on Mar 30, 2015 and the Immigration Director filed his evidence opposing the application about five months later on Aug 19, 2015 (in the RMA judicial review) and Aug 12, 2015 in the GDC judicial review.

The Director’s complaints of material non-disclosure in RMA’s case are these: She failed to disclose when she made her ex parte application for leave on a number of occasions.

“RMA is guilty of material non-disclosure and the leave application should be set aside also on this basis,” Judge Au said.

He said the applicants failed in all their grounds of judicial review and dismissed the applications on merits.  In relation to the RMA judicial review, he set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure.

He ordered that the costs be taxed if the parties failed to reach agreement 

Matandang pasaway

Abot-abot lagi sa pagkukuwento si Mona, 28, kapag ang alaga niyang matanda ang pinag-uusapaan.

Hirap na hirap daw siya dahil lagi siyang itinataboy ng matanda na 87 taong gulang at medyo mahina at bingi na. Gayunpaman, lagi daw siya nitong sinasabhan na hindi siya kailangan at ayaw siyang isama kapag lumalabas gayong ang kabilin-bilinan ng mga anak nito ay lagi niyang sasamahan.

May pagkakataon pa na dakdak ng dakdak ang matanda na parang sirang plaka. Sumasakit daw ang kalooban niya kapag paulit-ulit nitong sinasabi na ikuha na lang siya ng parttime. Lagi din daw kinukuwenta ng matanda ang kanyang kinakain, ang nagagamit na tubig pag naliligo at pati ng kuryente. Lagi daw siyang pinpatayan ng ilaw kahit alam nito na ginagamit pa niya.

Pero minsan naawa din si Mona sa matanda dahil sinasabi nito na walang kuwenta ang anak niyang babae dahil hindi siya inaasikaso at hindi niya makasundo kahit sila ay nasa ilalim ng isang bubong. Hindi katulad ng manugang niyang babae na laging dinadalaw at inaasikaso ang magulang.

Minsan, lumabas ito mag-isa at dinaklot ng tatlong ligaw na matsing ang kanyang dalang pagkain. Natumba ang matanda sa kakaiwas at pagtatangka na hindi maaagaw ang kanyang dala, kaya umuwi itong umiiyak dahil sa mga galos sa siko at tuhod.

Sa mga pagkakataong ito ay awa ang namamayani kay Mona. Pero sandali lang ay balik na naman ang matanda sa pagiging sutil. Kailangan pa niyang pilitin na hagurin ang likod para lumuwag ang plema nito, at pati pag-inom ng gamot. Mahilig din daw itong kumain ng tira-tirang pagkain kahit may bagong luto, na para bang gusto nitong magkasakit.

Pilit namang hinahabaan ni Mona ang pasensiya dahil ayaw niyang mawalan ng trabaho. Alang-alang sa kanyang apat na taong gulang na anak ay pipilitin daw niyang magtiis pa sa nalalabing anim na buwan sa kanyang kontrata. - George Manalansan

Presyong ginto ang nabiling isda

Umuwing kinakabahan si Maricel dala-dala ang resibo sa nabiling isda na pagkamahal-mahal gayong hindi naman kalakihan.

Hindi kasi sila nagkaintindihan nung tindera. Ang dinig kasi niya ay $30 lang ang isdang itinuro at pinalinis. Ngunit nang iabot na niya ang $50 para ipambayad ay isinulat ng tindera sa papel ang tunay na presyo ng isda: $130 pala iyon.

Napanganga si Maricel pero kailangan niyang bayaran dahil napalinis na niya. Ubos agad ang budget niya para sa dalawang araw. Buong araw siyang pinagpawisan at hindi makapagtrabaho ng maayos dahil sa nagyari, hanggang dumating ang amo nya.

Kinakabahan na sinabi ni Maricel sa among lalaki ang pagkakamali, at ganoon na lang ang pasasalamat niya dahil tinawanan lang siya nito  at sinabing huwag nang mamroblema.

Baguhan pa lang si Maricel sa mga among taga Taipo, at may dalawa siyang alaga, isang 10 at isang walong taong gulang. Siya ay 24 taong gulang, dalaga, at taga Bulacan. Kahit mababait ang mga amo niya ay hindi pa rin maiwasan ni Maricel ang mag-alala dahil pareho pa silang nag aadjust. - Rodelia Villar

HK Police ‘elevates’ case vs Ester Ylagan

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ester P. Ylagan

The investigation into fraud and money laundering allegations against former employment agency owner  Ester P. Ylagan is now with Hong Kong Police's Regional Crime Unit.

This was revealed by police investigators at the Central Harbourfront station who conducted two full-day interviews on Mar. 11 and 18 with about  40 Filipina domestic workers who had complained against Ylagan.

"We have elevated the case to the Regional Crime Unit," said an investigator, indicating some progress in the two-year-old case.

The statement was confirmed by Edwina Antonio, case officer of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which is helping the OFWs pursue their claim against Ylagan.

"The police have temporarily stopped taking statements. They will inform us when they plan to resume this. The statement taking will then be transferred to the Admiralty police station," said Antonio.

About 100 OFWs first sought police help in July 2016 after Ylagan disappeared with some $2 million in fees she allegedly collected from them for non-existent jobs in Canada and Britain.

However, no action was taken in their case then because Ylagan beat them to the police with her own complaint about having been duped into transferring some $8 million to an unknown business partner in Burkina Faso.

Ylagan said in her complaint that a bigger part of the money had come from her own funds.

However, documents recently submitted to the police by a concerned group of investigators appeared to indicate Ylagan was probably involved in a serious case of money laundering.

The money trail apparently showed Ylagan had transferred millions of dollars through numerous remittances to countries as far apart as Nigeria. Turkey and Malaysia.

She was reportedly helped in transferring the money by close family members and her former staff at Emry's Service Staff Employment Agency.

The allegations are backed up by remittance slips shown to The SUN by the team of investigators led by lawyers.

However, where the money came from - apart from the fees paid by the job applicants - and where it went remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, investigators in Manila have also closed in on Ylagan, who also faces charges from family members of the OFW complainants for whom money was paid for the bogus jobs.

Investigators from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) have filed charges of syndicated illegal recruitment against her, a non-bailable offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Ylagan returned to Hong Kong in December last year after an absence of more than a year to file a case for deception against suspended barrister, Ody Lai, who she claimed had fraudulently acquired her Aberdeen flat worth $6.5 million at current rates.

Moves to reverse Labatt’s recall gain ground

By Daisy CL Mandap

Various groups in Hong Kong have initiated steps to get Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre remain in Hong Kong, despite orders for his immediate recall on Mar. 23 by Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Among the groups trying to reverse the order is United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) which has appealed to Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano for help.

Unifil spokesperson Eman Villanueva says Secretary Cayetano has given assurance that he will bring up the appeal directly with Bello.

Labatt Jalilo dela Torre makes an appearance at rally last Sunday, March 25.

Another group staunchly supporting Dela Torre reportedly met with Cayetano in Hong Kong on Mar 25 to ask for help, and submitted a joint petition by more than 30 Filcom organizations calling for the reversal of the recall order.

They have yet to get an update from Cayetano on their petition.

Both Cayetano and Bello are known to be among President Rodrigo Duterte's closest allies, and had worked closely with him during the 2016 campaign.

Another group is reportedly planning to present the Filcom's joint statement protesting the recall directly to President Duterte when he visits Hong Kong on Apr 12.

Yet another group, composed of non-Filipino students in Hong Kong , has started their own online signature campaign protesting dela Torre's recall.

The group that goes by the  name Students Against Fees and Exploitation, said it supported dela Torre's crackdown on rogue employment agencies.

Amid the outcry, The SUN sought Bello's reaction through SMS, and he replied with this statement, "I respect their iright to air their grievance but they (also) have to respect our mgt (management)/procedural due proess".

He declined to elaborate.

To other interviewers, Bello gave varying replies.  In one, he was quoted as saying dela Torre's recall was merely temporary.

This was the exact opposite of the letter he sent to Dela Torre on Mar. 23, which clearly stated: "In the interest of the service, you are hereby recalled to Home Office effective immediately."

Bello's letter also ordered Dela Torre to turn over all money, properties, equipment and accountable forms to Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German, indicating the recall was final.

In a separate interview with the Blas Ople Center, Bello reportedly said Dela Torre was found to have engaged in "favoritism" in approving accreditation requests by employment agencies.

Earlier, he also suggested Dela Torre had violated rules when he issued overseas employment certificates to Filipinos working in Shenzhen.

However, an officer at the Consulate told The SUN there was nothing anomalous in the practice.

But the real reason why dela Torre got into hot water was apparently his decision to reject a second job order for "entertainers" in Wanchai, after a surprise inspection found the women workers clad only in skimpy outfits.

Asked how he felt about Bello's statements suggesting he ws found guilty of some misdeed, Dela Torre said, "I'd be happy to answer the charges if they are made known to me."

He admitted being surprised by the immediate recall order, as he had not been formally informed that he was under investigation.

He did learn from his staff, however, that a top-level delegation from the Home Office had visited Hong Kong while he was away on vacation in February, to check on his performance.
He reiterated he didn't have any problems getting marching orders, but he didn't want to go under a cloud of doubt.

The moves came amid extensive media coverage given to Bello's unceremonious sacking of his HK man, who has won wide support for his crackdown on illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The interest heightened after a massive show of support given to dela Torre by various overseas Filipino workers groups in a protest held on Mar. 25.

Apart from the relentless posts on social media by various people, news organizations like Thomson-Reuters, South China Morning Post and Philippine TV networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network have all repoted on the case.

The Blas Ople Center also stirred interest when it hosted a news conference on Mar 26 where several  OFW groups extolled dela Torre and backed calls to retain him in Hong Kong.

Filcom groups, students stage protest against Labatt’s recall

By Vir B. Lumicao

Volunteers at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office staged an unprecdented walkout on Mar 25 to join some 400 people in a rally calling on the government to retain Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre and recall his deputy instead.

The rally outside Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai, site of POLO Hong Kong, brought together groups of opposing political beliefs as they stood solidly behind the official.

Labor attache Jalilo dela Torre shows up near the POLO building where the protest was he;d.

“No to recall, no to recall!” and “Laban ni Labatt, laban nating lahat!” the mostly domestic worker protesters shouted as they massed in the narrow alley between the building and the Lockhart Road playground  

The protest highlight came around 1pm when the man they were fighting for arrived and joined the rally. Shouting “We love Labatt!” and “Walang palakasan!” supporters broke into tears as they pressed around Dela Torre. Soon the official was himself in tears.

He thanked his supporters, explaining that his was a job wherein he could be recalled at anytime, but wished it was for the right reason.

“Anuman ang mangyari, ipinangangako ko na lalo kong pag-iibayuhin ang ating laban sa mga human trafficker, rogue agencies, at sa mga ahensiya na naniningil nang sobra. Saan man ako makarating… kahit wala na ako sa Labor, ipaglalaban ko pa rin kayo,” he said.

The outpouring of support began on Mar 23, as soon as word spread that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III had sent Dela Torre the recall order “with immediate effect”.

Dela Torre told The SUN he suspected his recall was linked to a months-old job order for bar dancers from a Filipino employmenr agency that he had rejected. He said with him out of the way, it was likely the POLO officer-in-charge, Assistant Labatt Maria Nena German, would approve the job order.

His recall came two months after a three-man fact-finding team headed by Aristodes Ruaro, deputy administrator for licensing and adjudication of the Philippine Overseas Employment Aministration came to Hong Kong to conduct an invesigation into  Dela Torre's alleged misdeed. The group also included DOLE's regional director in Davao, Raymundo Agravante, the man reportedly being eyed to be Dela Torre’s successor. 

The investigation was conducted while dela Torre was in the Philippones for a vacation.  Neither he nor the officers of the Consulate were informed about the visit, in violation of government protocol and due process.

Contacted by The SUN through SMS shortly after the supposed investigation, Secretary Bello replied curtly, "Fake news.".

Rally speakers took turns blasting Bello and those who plotted Dela Torre’s recall in the middle of his anti-human trafficking and illegal recruitment campaign.

“Secretary Silvestre Bello, ang sabi mo noon, fake news ang balitang ire-recall mo si Labatt. Sabi mo walang recall. Ngayon, immediate recall! Nasaan ang pangako? Puro ka pangako, napapako!” said opening speaker Leo Selomenio, chairman of Global Alliance.

Guy Benitez, president of the Filipino Migrant Workers Union, said Bello was the No.1 liar, having told workers during his visit to Hong Kong in 2016 that they could return home because there were jobs waiting for them, but there was none.

She said it was Dela Torre who had a heart for the OFWs and did not deserve to be recalled.

“Wala po tayong alam na ginawa niyang karumal-dumal sa ating mga OFW. Maituturing na bang kasalanan ang pagbubulgar niya na walang trabaho sa Russia, Turkey at China? Kapag si Labatt ay na-recall, magpipiyesta ang mga ganid na recruiter at trafficker. Dapat sila ang parusahan dahil lumalabag sila sa POEA guidelines,” Benitez said.

Gemma Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers that led the walkout of POLO volunteers, pledged NOPT’s support to Dela Torre “until the end”. The walkout forced BM Online processing to start only at 4pm as volunteers were gone and only shelter wards were present.  

Lauraya said Dela Torre helped teacher-helpers take their licensure examinations in Hong Kong and provided them with continued professional development trainings.

“We are in disgust, we are disappointed. Sinasabing fake news, ngayon nandito na. Hindi iyan puwede. No to recall!” Lauraya said.

Resty Arreza of Mindanao Federation said Dela Torre was a true public servant, the only labor attaché here who sacrificed his meal just to serve the OFWs and who had genuine sympathy for workers and their families.

He urged Bello to withdraw the recall order, saying: “Pakinggan nyo po ang boses ng mga OFW dito sa Hong Kong. Kami po ang nakakakilala sa kanya at pinipilit naming mapanatili dito si Labatt Dela Torre.”  

The Students Against Fees and Exploitation, a group of Hong Kong University students, aired their support for Dela Torre against blackmarket agencies and opposed his recall.

Emcees from militant groups who led the rally compared the recall of Dela Torre to an OFW who gets terminated without notice. “We feel you, Labatt,” they said.

Eman Villanueva, chairman of Bayan Hong Kong & Macau, said those behind the recall plot should be sacked because they are known to favor agencies. He cited in particular German, who he said had been very friendly to agencies that pampered her with gifts.

The protesters afterwards handed to ALA Angelica Suñga a petition from 85 Filcom groups and 9 individuals urging the government to revoke the recall of Dela Torre.

Protesters present their petition to Assistant Labor Attache Angelica Suñga.

DH jailed for using expired contract to get loan

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for two months by the Shatin Court on Mar. 1, following her conviction on a charge of using her expired work contract to take out a loan last November from a branch of a lending company in Shatin.

The helper, 42-year-old Marites F. Olarte, wept with remorse in the dock and pleaded guilty after the summary of facts relating to a charge of  “obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception” was read to her.

The report said Olarte went to the Prime Credit shop at Lucky Plaza in Shatin on Nov 6 last year and applied for a loan of $40,100. She allegedly presented her work contract  and work visa, which by then had become invalid because she was terminated by her employer, Wong Chin-wang, on Nov 4.

A Filipina staff of the lending company gave Olarte $15,661, after she settled an existing loan. The new contract stated that she should repay the loan in 17 monthly installments of $3,121.

She was able to pay the first monthly installment and then stopped paying, leaving an outstanding loan of $49,936, the prosecution said. The lender investigated when Olarte defaulted in her payments and found out from Wong and Immigration that she had left Hong Kong after being terminated.

Olarte was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport on the night of Feb 11, 2018 on her return from the Philippines supposedly to start working for a new employer the next day.

The duty lawyer assigned to defend her begged for leniency, saying the woman was separated from her husband and came to Hong Kong five years ago to work as a domestic helper. He said the helper needed money to pay an employment agency that got her a new employer after she was terminated, and to pay the graduation expenses of her children.

The lawyer said Olarte entrusted money to a friend and townmate to pay the November and December installments of the loan before she went home on Nov 11 to wait for her new visa. But the friend paid only the November installment, the counsel said.

After considering the mitigation, Magistrate Don So sent Olarte to two months in jail, after discounting the prescribed sentence by a third for her guilty plea.