MANILA — The Philippine consulate has expressed concern over the offensive remarks issued by a senior Hong Kong lawmaker on Filipina household workers, whom she cast as “marriage wreckers.”
Regina Ip, reportedly being groomed as Hong Kong’s next chief executive, accused Filipino helpers of seducing their male employers, causing marriages in the former British colony to fall apart.
In a statement on April 20, the consulate lamented Ip’s “unfortunate choice of words, but believes “that this is not reflective of the general sentiments of the Hong Kong community at large.”
Hong Kong is home to more than 173,000 Filipinos working as domestic helpers.
“They have left their loved ones back home to earn a decent living taking care of Hong Kong families. This in turn has engendered positive impact on both the quality of life of the families concerned as well as the economy of Hong Kong as a whole,” it said.
“Discrimination should have no place in any society, most especially Hong Kong, which prides itself as Asia’s World City,” the consulate added.