PHL lawyers organize legal mission for vulnerable Hong Kong OFWs


The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bulacan Chapter and the International Pro Bono Alliance (iPBA) recently undertook a legal mission aimed at assisting vulnerable Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong.

The mission, dubbed "The Sunday Beauty Queen Mission" after the award-winning film by Babyruth Villarama, provided the Hong Kong OFWs with lectures on various Philippine laws of concern and free legal consultations.
With the help of various Hong Kong-based Filipino organizations, more than a hundred OFW’s were served in four different venues: at St. John’s Cathedral, the Prime Credit Building, and the Hong Kong branches of Metrobank and the Philippine National Bank.
The IPB-Bulacan and iPBA  lawyers also visited the Bethune House, a shelter for distressed migrant workers run run by the Mission for Migrant Workers.
The mission was also an opportunity for the the IBP Bulacan and iPBA to strengthen ties with their international counterparts.
Meetings were held with Justice Without Borders Executive Director Doug Maclean, and with Pro Bono Officer Amelie Desjardins, who provided Global Alliance Hong Kong members information on Hong Kong Labor Laws.
The Filipino lawyers also met with United Nations International Organization for Migration country head Nurul Qoiriahc, with whom future projects were discussed.
The "The Sunday Beauty Queen Mission" was the fourth such undertaking by the IBP Bulacan and iPBA. It was headed by former IBP Bulacan President Arni R. Topico, and participated in by present President Anselmo C. Samonte, iPBA President Pingki Bernabe, Bulacan State University College of Law Legal Aid Clinic Executive Director Bobby Cruz, and,other lawyers from IBP Bulacan and the iPBA. — DVM, GMA News

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