Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The rumor mill in Manila has started to rock and roll, thanks to allegations that the Aquino government has lobbied for the Philippine president’s nomination for the prestigious 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.  Naturally, the presidential palace went into full gear: deny, deny, deny.

Among previous Nobel Prize winners were Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi and of course, Barack Obama. According to sources, Aquino is being nominated for his consistent policy of rhetoric over the use of force – military and otherwise – in dealing with the country’s territorial dispute with China, the Muslim rebel movement, the pork barrel scandal, and yes, even his decision on naming National Artists.

The Adobo Chronicles can now confirm that indeed, Aquino will NOT be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. The reason? His staff were late in submitting his nomination which was due on January 31.

According to the Nobel Prize rules:

“Nomination forms are sent by the Nobel Committee to about 3,000 individuals, usually in September the year before the prizes are awarded. These individuals are often academics working in a relevant area. For the Peace Prize, inquiries are sent to governments, members of international courts, professors and rectors, former Peace Prize laureates and current or former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The deadline for the return of the nomination forms is 31 January of the year of the award.”

So blame it on Filipino time. Or, maybe, Aquino’s staff were too busy preparing statements and press releases denying every single allegation or criticism lodged at the president.

Till next year.