Aquino welcomes HK decision on Pinay's fight for residency

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday welcomed the decision of a court in Hong Kong granting Filipino domestic helper Evangeline Vallejos the right to apply for residency in that country. “Kung ikabubuti ng sitwasyon ng ating kababayan, bakit naman tayo tututol diyan," Aquino told reporters after administering oath of office to appointed officials including National Police chief Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome. The Philippine president said he would have to study further the implications of the decision because he is not conversant with the laws of Hong Kong. Last week, Hong Kong High Court Judge M. H. Lam said it was unconstitutional to deny foreign maids the right of residency even though many were employed on short-term, two-year contracts, that are often repeatedly renewed. The decision was met with protest by Hong Kong officials and residents as they fear that it would open the door to a flood of migrants. Under Hong Kong's constitution, foreigners who lived there for continuous period of seven years are entitled to permanent residency, rights to voting, welfare and other services. However, Hong Kong immigration ordinance excludes some 290,000 foreign domestic workers including 146,000 from Indonesia and 139,000 from the Philippines from permanent residency. Vallejos has been residing in Hong Kong since 1986. - VVP, GMA News