Consulate to open tomorrow for last day of OVR

By Daisy CL Mandap                                   

The Consulate advisory says it will open tomorrow, 9am to 3pm, for OVR only

Despite tomorrow being a statutory holiday due to the Chung Yeung festival, the Consulate will open from 9am to 3pm for overseas voter registration.

An advisory posted on the Consulate’s Facebook page says only OVR services will be provided during the day, the last day of the extended registration for Filipinos overseas for the May 2022 presidential elections.

In the Philippines, voter registration will continue until Oct 30.

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The original deadline was Sept 30 for both local and overseas registration, but the Commission on Elections was forced to yield to a widespread clamor for an extension, which received strong support from both houses of Congress.

As no registration took place today due to the hoisting of Storm Signal No 8 across Hong Kong, the long queues in the past several Sundays are likely to happen again tomorrow.

Most of those who patiently lined up on those days said it took them no less than seven hours to get through the process. Those who wanted to be first in line reportedly got to the United Centre building in Admiralty where the Consulate has its offices, as early as 5 in the morning.

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But with the cut-off time set an hour earlier tomorrow, Consulate staff will not likely stay up beyond 1am the next day, as what happened in the last three Sundays of registration.

The line was longest on Oct 10, the last Sunday before the extended deadline.

The line was the longest on Sunday, Oct 10

When asked why they decided to register at the last minute when the OVR has been going on for at least a year, many said they were not aware that it was going on. They claimed they never saw any announcement on the Consulate’s social media sites about the registration exercise.

One of them was Precy Pacuyo, who said in a comment on Facebook: “Hindi ako aware about (the) registration. Nalaman ko lang sa isang friend ko na last day na noon Sept 26 yata, tapos na extend ng Oct. 14. Di rin ako nakakalabas ng maaga para makapila.”(I wasn’t aware about the registration. I just learned from a friend that the last day was on Sept 26 – I think – then it was extended to Oct 14. I also couldn’t leave the house early to line up).

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Others cited the coronavirus pandemic as the main reason for their failure to register, as employers used it to prevent their domestic workers from taking a day-off. Before this, the raucous anti-government protests in Hong Kong also kept many people at home.

A few said they decided to register only after seeing their favored candidates file their declaration to run for key posts in next year’s election.

But those who were more forthright admitted they did not give the voter registration a priority until they realized there were only a few more days left before the OVR closed.

As in previous overseas voting exercises, voters will have the chance to elect the Philippines’ next president, vice-president and senators, as well as a party-list of their choice. Designated nominees of party-lists that win enough votes will get to sit at the House of Representatives.

All Philippine passport holders aged 18 years old and above are qualified to register. Overseas, they need to present only a copy of their passport page with their personal details to be able to register.

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3 people in Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre test positive for Covid-19

By The SUN

 

The 3 patients were all in quarantine at Penny's Bay when they tested positive

Three imported cases of Covid-19 were reported today, Oct 13, involving people who were in quarantine at Penny’s Bay.

Two of the patients are foreign domestic helpers, one from the Philippines and another from Indonesia, while the third is a man from Pakistan who was moved to Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre after being identified as a close contact of a previous case.

Two of them carried a mutant strain of the coronavirus while the test result of one is still pending.

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They are all asymptomatic and were fully vaccinated in their home countries before flying to Hong Kong.

They took Hong Kong’s total Covid-19 tally to 12,275 confirmed cases.

The FDH from Indonesia is a 28-year-old female who tested positive on her third day in quarantine. She had two jabs of the Sinovac vaccine in Indonesia on Jun 26 and Jul 24.

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The one from the Philippines is female and 34 years old, and was found infected on her ninth day at Penny’s Bay. She also had the Sinovac jabs in the Philippines on Jun 16 and Jul 14.

The third patient is a 30-year-old man who came from Pakistan, and initially moved to Silka Far East Hotel in Tsuen Wan. After his 45-year-old male companion tested positive on Oct. 9, the younger man was moved to Penny’s Bay after being identified as a close contact of the infected patient.

The younger patient had one jab of the single-dose Convidecia vaccine in Pakistan on Jun 8.

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The Centre for Health Protection reminded people who were included in the compulsory testing notice issued for Golden Glory Court in Sha Tin that they should get tested tomorrow, Oct. 14

The estate is where a cargo handler at Hong Kong International Airport who was found with the Delta variant, resides.

CTNs issued in relation to Covid-19 cases with mutant strains require specified people to take compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12, and 19 after the case is confirmed. They should also undergo self-monitoring until the 21^st day.

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One man dies, 20 others injured as Kompasu lashes HK

By The SUN

Latest satellite image taken by the Observatory shows heavy cloud still hovers over Lamma Island

UPDATED:

One man has died and 20 other people been injured during the onslaught of typhoon Kompasu in Hong Kong.

According to a statement posted on the government at about 5pm today, Oct 13, 21 people, comprising 10 men and 11 women have been injured during the typhoon and received medical treatment at the emergency rooms of public hospitals. One of them subsequently died.

No other details were given.

As at 4pm, the 1823 Government Call Centre has received 72 reports of fallen trees while 10 flooding cases were confirmed. No report of landslide has been received.

The Home Affairs Department has opened 24 temporary shelters in various districts where 255 people have taken refuge.    

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The Observatory downgraded the Severe Storm Signal No 8 to No 3 at 4:40pm today, more than 23 hours after it was hoisted. This made it the longest time a T8 signal was in force in Hong Kong.

It had considered lowering the signal earlier but heavy rain, particularly on Lantau Island, began to fall just before this time, prompting the issuance of an amber rainstorm warning. A thunderstorm warning was also issued, which is expected to remain effective until 6pm today.

The Observatory said in an advisory issued at 4pm that more than 70 millimetres of hourly rain had fallen, or is expected to fall on Lantau, which may cause serious flooding. Squally thunderstorms are expected over Hong Kong.

A lone pedestrian braves heavy rain brought by Kompasu (RTHK)

Residents who may be affected are advised to take precautions to avoid possible flood damage as the heavy the heavy may cause flash floods.

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Everyone is advised to stay away from bodies of water and drivers should beware of any serious road flooding and traffic congestion when they go out.

Earlier, Kompasu brought HK to a halt, with classes in all levels suspended, offices closes and public transport seriously disrupted.

The stock market, child and elderly services centers, courts, and Immigration Department were all closed for the day.

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The MTR said it is providing limited services, with trains on most of its lines running at 10-minute intervals, while the Airport Express runs at 30-minute intervals.

The Home Affairs Department has opened 24 temporary shelters in various districts and 237 people have sought refuge there so far.

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Kompasu leaves 9 people dead, more crying for rescue in Phl

By The SUN 

Kompasu triggered flooding and landslides in Bontoc  

At least nine people have reportedly been killed and 11 others are missing after heavy rain brought by Severe Tropical Storm Maring (Kompasu) swept through several provinces in the main Philippine island of Luzon on Monday.

On Twitter, cries for rescue from raging floodwaters pushed the hashtags #IlocosNeedsHelp# and #CagayanNeedsHelpAgain# to the top of the trends.

Of the nine dead, four were killed in landslides in the landlocked mountainous province of Benguet, and one person drowned in the coastal province of Cagayan, said the national disaster agency.

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Kompasu flooded villages and triggered landslides mostly in northern provinces, but also sparked a flash flood in a village in the western island province of Palawan, leaving four people dead.

Seven other people were reported missing across Luzon.

River rescue operation in Gonzaga, Cagayan

In Cagayan, 11 municipalities were flooded yesterday, but the water subsided Tuesday morning, provincial authorities said.

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In Palawan’s capital Puerto Princesa, however, eight villages were still flooded as of today due to drainage problems, said the city’s disaster officer.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmostpheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kompasu slightly intensified at it moved over the West Philippine Sea before dawn Tuesday.

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Kompasu’s maximum sustained winds is now at 100 kilometres per hour from the previous 95 km/h.

It made landfall in Cagayan’s Fuga Island at 8:10pm on Monday, Oct. 11

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4 new Covid-19 cases reported, including FDH in Penny’s Bay

By The SUN 

The Indonesian DH was on her 9th day in Penny's Bay when she tested positive

An Indonesian domestic helper who was spending her quarantine at Penny’s Bay is among four imported cases of Covid-19 reported today, Oct 12.

Three cases involved mutant strains while the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending.

The 32-year-old female helper who received two jabs of Sinovac in Indonesia, was on her ninth day of quarantine when found infected.

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The three other patients all tested positive on samples taken on arrival at the Hong Kong Airport. They are all fully vaccinated.

They include two arrivals from the United Kingdom, one female aged 42, and a 58-year-old male. The third is a 56-year-old man who came from Russia.

They took Hong Kong’s total Covid-19 tally to 12 272 confirmed cases and one probable case.

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Meanwhile, the Centre for Health Protection said it is investigating the case of an 18-year-old male patient who tested positive in the United Kingdom four days after arrival from Hong Kong.

The patient who lives at Block 7, King's Park Villa in Ho Man Tin tested negative in Hong Kong on Sept 29 and traveled to the UK on Oct. 1 by flight BA032.

His specimen collected in the UK on Oct 3 tested positive, and he developed symptoms on Oct 10.

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He received two doses of the BioNTech vaccine in Hong Kong on Mar 20 and Apr 10. He works at 31/F, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, and last went to work on Sept 24.

As a precaution, the place where he lived and worked during the incubation period have been included in a compulsory testing notice.     

According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for local Covid-19 cases with mutant strains, the CHP reminded people that persons who resided or worked in the same building as the patients will be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 after the case is confirmed. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day.  

Relevant deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises are listed on the government's website at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf.

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T8 now in force as Kompasu nears HK

By The SUN  

People stocked up on food ahead of the hoisting of T8

The Observatory has just hoisted Storm Signal No 8 across Hong Kong, as severe tropical storm Kompasu nears the territory.

At 6pm, Kompasu was about 460 kilometres south-southeast of HK, and is forecast to move west at about 25 km per hour across the northen part of the South China Sea towards Hainan island. 

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The Observatory says the outer rainbands of the story will bring showers and squally thunderstorms tonight. There will be strong to gale-force winds, occasionally storm-force offshore and on high ground.

Seas will be rough with swells, and there could be flooding in low-lying areas. People  are urged to take precautions.

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Winds will moderate gradually tomorrow night.

The rush to stock up on food left store shelves near empty

Hours before the expected approach of Kompasu, people began stocking up on food, clearing shelves in many shops.

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Some shops closed early, fearing reports that Kompasu could be as strong as previous typhoons that wreaked havoc across Hong Kong.

Courts were closed by 4pm as did most offices, amid the expected hoisting of the No 8 signal.

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HK school teacher on trial for alleged assaults on Filipina helper

 By Vir B. Lumicao 

Mak (in white) leaves court on the first day of her trial (Oriental Daily)

A Filipina domestic worker recounted in court today, Oct 11, how a secondary school teacher who hired her last year, allegedly assaulted her on several occasions, forbade her to take a rest day and once forced her to eat congee laced with dishwashing detergent.

Eden Pales, 37, gave evidence on the first day of her employer’s trial in West Kowloon Court on six charges: one for common assault, three for assault occasioning bodily harm, one for administering a noxious substance, and one for criminal intimidation.

The employer, Mak Pui-shan, 35, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

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In the first charge, Mak is accused of committing common assault by banging Pales’ head on the wall and pulling her hair on an unknown day between October and November last year in their house on the 13^th floor of Tower B in Serenade Court, Tsuen Wan.

In the second charge, Mak is alleged to have forced Pales to eat congee mixed with washing detergent sometime in February this year, also in their Tsuen Wan flat.

The third to fifth charges are all for assault occasioning bodily harm. 

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Pales, a first-time domestic helper, said she arrived in Hong Kong on Mar 9, 2020 and moved in with Mak, her husband and their two sons, aged 5 years and 5 months, after spending 20 days in quarantine.

Pales said the first time the defendant attacked her was between October and November last year when she forgot the employer’s instruction to clean the baby’s toys.

She said she was in the kitchen to prepare food when Mak, raging with anger, followed and allegedly grabbed her hair and banged her head against the wall.

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“My head was very painful and, when I touched it, there was a big bump. After that, Madam went to the living room,” Pales told Magistrate Li Cheuk-wai.

The next assault allegedly happened in mid-February this year, when the baby started crying inconsolably as she tried to let him finish his bowl of porridge.

Angered by her son’s crying, Mak allegedly grabbed the bowl of unfinished congee and tossed it on the countertop. Then she allegedly pumped dishwashing detergent onto the bowl with the congee, and ordered the helper to eat it.

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“I was crying at the time because I was scared that I would be poisoned. But she was very, very angry as she forced me to eat it because if I did not, she would hit me again,” Pales said.

She said she ate the detergent-laced congee out of fear that Mak would hit her again and that she might lose her job. As she ate the porridge, the defendant stood watch to make sure the helper consumed the congee.

Pales said she had to drink three cups of tap water afterwards so she wouldn’t be poisoned.

Sometime between Feb 24 and 28, Mak allegedly attacked the helper again without any reason while she was fixing the couple’s bed.

Pales said she was standing beside the bed when an angry Mak came in and slipped her right arm into the collar of the helper’s shirt and clawed her back from near the waist upwards.

The helper said she cried out in pain and begged the defendant to stop, but the employer just kept clawing her back.

After Mak walked away, Pales said she went to the bathroom and saw that her back was bleeding. She took off her shirt and counted about 10 fingernail marks.

Pales shared pictures of the alleged assault with friends who posted them on FB

The worst of the alleged attacks came on May 25, at around 6:30pm, triggered by another tantrum of the baby because he did not want to finish his congee, Pales said.

Mak reportedly barged into the kitchen as Pales was putting the bowl of congee on the sink, then attacked the helper.

“She was very angry and told me that I don’t know how to take care of a baby and slapped me in the face several times. The she took the turner (spatula) for frying and used it to beat my tummy and my right thigh,” Pales said.

She said she tried to move due to the pain, but Mak allegedly held her left thigh while continuing to beat her other thigh with the spatula.

Pales said she ended up squatting and leaning against a cabinet due to the pain, but Mak then kicked her about five times on her two legs just below the knee.

After the alleged assault, the employer went back to the living room, while Pales said she went to the bathroom to examine her bruises. She said she saw her cheeks swollen while her belly and thighs had several bruises.

In addition to the physical assaults, Mak reportedly forbade the helper from taking a day off since she started serving the household on Mar 29, citing the pandemic as excuse.

Pales said that while under Mark’s employ, she had to wake up at 5:30am and work until midnight. That was the only time she could hold her phone.

Pales will continue giving evidence tomorrow.    

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