Yearly Archives: 2014

Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PHILIPPINE JAIL INMATES GO ON HUNGER STRIKE

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Philippine jail inmates in the viral YouTube video "Thriller"
Philippine jail inmates in the viral YouTube video “Thriller”

Cebu City, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Chances are you’ve seen the viral YouTube video featuring hundreds of jail inmates dancing to a choreographed version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Now these same Cebu City inmates, joined by tens of thousands of others incarcerated in Philippine jails and prisons, have gone into a hunger strike. Their demands?  Larger jail cells, airconditioning and free wi-fi access.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) estimate the total prisoners at 80,000.  BuCor has jurisdiction over national prisons while BJMP oversees jails in cities, towns and provinces.

The striking inmates were emboldened upon learning that two senators who are now in jail in connection with plunder charges arising from the Ten Billion pork barrerl scam, have demanded more comfortable jail conditions, including airconditioning, gourmet meals, refrigerators, television sets and Internet access, among others.  The two senators are Bong Revilla, Jr., and Jinggoy Estrada.

“If our leaders can demand better conditions in their jail cells – or bungalows – why can’t we?”  the strikers said.

President NoyNoy Aquino was reported  to be under severe stress as a result of the national hunger strike, especially because he has always proclaimed that under the law, every Filipino will be treated equally. Witnesses observed that Aquino has been continuously puffing cigarettes as a result of the stress.

Arts, Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Language, Music, Politics, The Media, Travel

TOP TEN REASONS PRESIDENT AQUINO SNUBBED NORA AUNOR AS NATIONAL ARTIST

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Ms. Nora Aunor: snubbed by NoyNoy
Ms. Nora Aunor: snubbed by NoyNoy

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The exclusion of award-winning actress Nora Aunor from this year’s list of National Artists has created an uproar among many Filipinos here and abroad.  All blame points to President NoyNoy Aquino.

Here are the top ten reasons Aquino snubbed La Aunor:

  1. Nora Aunor has an uncanny resemblance to ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
  2. President Aquino is reserving a spot for his sister, Kris Aquino
  3. President Aquino received thousands of emails from Vilmanians opposing Aunor’s nomination
  4. President Aquino believes that Aunor is a Marcos Loyalist
  5. Aunor has won more awards and recognition than Aquino
  6. Aunor’s past drug problem might bring attention to Aquino’s own addiction
  7. President Aquino thinks that in order to be a National Artist, one must be able to paint
  8. In making his final choices for National Artist, Aquino played ‘jack n poy’ with Vice President Jejomar Binay
  9. President Aquino wanted a nominee from his home province of Tarlac. Aunor is Bicolana
  10. Aquino wants to live up to his reputation of being clueless.

Bonus reason:

11. “Aunor” sounds too close to Aquino’s nickname, “Abnoy”

Human Interest, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT PETITIONS COURT FOR PRISON BY PROXY

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Former Philippine president and now mayor of Manila Joseph Estrada
Former Philippine president and now mayor of Manila Joseph Estrada

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada, movie actor, former Philippine president and now Mayor of Manila.

He is, of course, the father of Senator Jinggoy Estrada who has been indicted of plunder – a non-bailable offense – in connection with the Ten Billion Peso pork barrel scandal, for which he is now detained in a VIP jail.

The older Estrada has been there — indicted, convicted and jailed for plunder committed while in office as president, only to be later pardoned by his successor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Ironically, Arroyo is currently under hospital arrest for a  similar offense while being president.

Today, Joseph Estrada filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the Philippines to allow him to act as proxy for his son in jail. “It saddens me to see my son locked up, and as a father, I am willing to go to prison in his stead.  After all, I’ve already experienced incarceration,” he said. “Besides, my son is too young to spend his life behind bars.”

Government lawyers scrambled to file a response to Estrada’s petition, seeking to refute Estrada’s argument for jail proxy, while giving notice to the Commission on Elections to prepare for the eventuality that the Supreme Court will act favorably on the petition.

Estrada assumed office as Manila mayor a year ago.  A special election may have to be called to fill in the remaining term of Mayor Estrada.