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SINGAPORE, Dec 25 \u2014 A 72-year-old Filipino woman who first arrived in Singapore as a domestic helper more than three decades ago has been sentenced to six months\u2019 jail and fined S$3,000 (RM9,500) after turning herself in for overstaying her visa for more than 34 years.<\/p>\n
According to Shin Min Daily News<\/em>, Flordeliza M. Cordeta pleaded guilty in court on December 23 to one charge of violating immigration laws.<\/p>\n Court documents cited by Singapore daily said Flordeliza entered Singapore on October 27, 1989 on a valid work permit and was employed as a domestic helper. Her permit was cancelled on July 30, 1991 after her employer failed to pay the required foreign worker levy. Despite this, she did not leave the country.<\/p>\n She remained in Singapore illegally for 34 years, four months and five days before surrendering herself to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on December 5 this year.<\/p>\n The court heard that Flordeliza was unrepresented and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. During mitigation, she acknowledged that she was in the wrong and asked for leniency, Shin Min <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n In a separate case heard on the same day, another Filipino domestic helper, 49-year-old Jo Ann Querabu Balbin, was also sentenced to six months\u2019 jail and fined S$2,000 after pleading guilty to overstaying in Singapore for more than 16 years.<\/p>\n According to Shin Min<\/em>, Jo Ann obtained a work permit on April 7, 2009, which was initially valid for nearly two years. However, her permit was cancelled just over a month later, on May 15 that year, after her employer likewise failed to pay the foreign worker levy.\u00a0<\/p>\n She subsequently remained in Singapore illegally for 16 years, six months and five days, before turning herself in to the authorities on December 4.<\/p>\n The prosecution sought the maximum six-month jail term for both women, with caning \u2014 which can be imposed for immigration offences \u2014 substituted with fines of S$3,000 for Flordeliza and S$2,000 for Jo Ann.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n