SINGAPORE: In a stunning twist of fate, a domestic worker found herself behind bars after attempting a bold maneuver to prolong her stay in Singapore. Sotto Jennie Villaron, a 37-year-old from the Philippines, struck a deal with her boyfriend that would ultimately lead to her downfall.

The Scheme That Backfired

When Sotto learned her employer was planning to terminate her employment, desperation kicked in. Instead of preparing for her return to the Philippines, she turned to her boyfriend, Singaporean Faizal Farid, with a risky proposition: hire her on paper to secure a work pass.

What seemed like a simple fix spiraled into a criminal case. On September 1, Sotto was sentenced to three weeks in jail after pleading guilty to a charge under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). She conspired with Faizal to provide false information on a worker application, which led to significant consequences.

A Relationship with Risks

The court revealed that Sotto and Faizal began dating in 2021. When her job was on the line, Sotto sought Faizal’s help. She signed a declaration claiming she would work as his domestic worker, despite having no intention of doing so.

From March to July 2024, Sotto lived primarily with Faizal, spending most nights at his home as his girlfriend while simultaneously babysitting elsewhere.

Unraveling the Deception

Then, the authorities caught wind of Sotto’s scheme. On July 2, 2024, the Ministry of Manpower commenced an investigation after receiving reports of potential legal violations.

Prosecutors argued that had the Controller of Work Passes known of Sotto's intention to not work for Faizal, her application would have been denied. The prosecutor emphasized that Sotto's actions undermined the integrity of Singapore's work pass framework.

A Plea for Mercy

Facing the judge, Sotto expressed remorse and pleaded for leniency. 'I hope you will give me a chance,' she said, desperately wanting to stay in Singapore.

While she received a brief delay on her sentence, the judge made it clear that her work prospect in Singapore now hung in the balance. Meanwhile, Faizal is also in hot water, facing similar charges and slated to plead guilty in October.

A Lesson Learned?

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the risks involved in bending the rules in a foreign land. As for Sotto, her hopes of remaining in Singapore now face a grim future following this hard lesson.