Vlogger ‘Penelope Pop’ faces deportation over immigration rules breach

Penelope Pop. Photo from Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — Vlogger and social media influencer “Penelope Pop” is facing a deportation case for allegedly performing “gainful activity” without the necessary permit and visa.

In a charge sheet made public on Wednesday, Special Prosecutor Emmanuel Anthony Vera Jr. accused the internet celebrity of engaging in the online retail trade of lifestyle products such as notebooks, bags, and toiletries via www.theeveryday.ph without the required alien employment permit. Vera said Wang holds a special investor resident visa.

Penelope Pop is also known as Winnie Wong while her real name is Wang Yun-I/Yun-I Wang.

According to Vera, Wang’s involvement in the online retail business is a violation of the Commonwealth Act or the Philippine Immigration Act, which controls and regulates the immigration of foreign nationals in the country.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Deputy Commissioner Tobias Javier has also ordered the inclusion of Wang in the immigration watchlist with remarks “Charged: engaging in gainful activity without a visa/permit.”

Non-profit advocacy group Action for Consumerism and Transparency in Nation-Building (ACTION) earlier urged the BI to initiate appropriate charges against “Winnie Wong” for selling a cosmetic product that was found “unauthorized” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The group said she is a Taiwanese passport holder.

The FDA earlier cautioned the public against the use and purchase of POUF! Everyday Cologne Spray being sold online by the company of Wang and actress Toni Gonzaga because the product has not secured an appropriate regulatory license.

KGA