Monthly Archives: October 2015

Politics, The Media

CNN TO HOST FIRST-EVER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, ANDERSON COOPER TO MODERATE

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imageMANILA, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) – In election years in the Philippines, there are mass political rallies, but no televised live debates.  But that could soon change if a lawmaker’s proposal to create a Presidential Debate Commission is approved by Congress.

Representative Estrellita B. Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) filed the proposal last year which aims to benefit presidential and vice-presidential candidates as it will provide them a good venue to present their platforms and positions on issues that affect the country, and also clarify matters facing the candidates themselves before the voters.

“I hope it will merit the approval of Congress and the president during the remaining months of the 16th Congress so we can already have a Presidential Debate Commission in place prior to the May elections. The Presidential Debate Commission shall obligate all presidential and vice presidential candidates to participate in the debates, and thus, will help the voting population discern who to vote for,” said Suansing, who is also the vice chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

The proposal embodied in House Bill 5269, otherwise known as proposed “Presidential Debate Reform Act”, has already been referred to the House Committee on Government Reorganization and has a counter-part measure, Senate Bill 1797, submitted by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

In anticipation of the first Philippine presidential debate, CNN Philippines has offered to host and broadcast it live. The cable news network has even designated its star anchor Anderson Cooper to moderate the proceedings.  Cooper was moderator in last night’s U.S. Democratic presidential debate on CNN.

Cooper is extremely popular in the Philippines.  His ground zero coverage of the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Tacloban gained him the respect and admiration of the Filipinos.  Following his stellar coverage of the disaster, Cooper was rumored to being considered the next U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.

Upon learning of the news, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, wife of administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas, registered her strong objections to Cooper being named as debate moderator.

Many will recall that Sanchez had her own debate with Cooper when she accused the American news anchor of not knowing what he was talking about in his coverage of Typhoon Haiyan.  Cooper challenged her to leave her airconditioned broadcast studio in Manila and do her own live coverage at ground zero in Tacloban.

“Cooper, because of our conflict, will not be a fair and balanced debate moderator since my husband is one of the presidential candidates,” Sanchez said.

Politics

PHILIPPINES’ IRON LADY WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT, CHOOSES CAMPAIGN SLOGAN

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Santiago (File Photo by Tony Pionilla)
Santiago (File Photo by Tony Pionilla)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the witty, tough-talking ‘Iron Lady’ of the Philippines, has declared her intention to run for president in the 2016 elections.

Santiago, sidelined from her Senate duties for the past year because of a cancer diagnosis, said her prognosis is no longer terminal.  “I beat cancer,” she announced.

As with all political campaigns, Santiago has chosen her campaign slogan.

President Aquino ran under the slogan, “Tuwid na daan,” (straight path), to represent his anti-corruption platform.  His anointed successor, Mar Roxas, decided on a slogan to continue the straight path: “Ituloy ang tuwid na daan.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay chose a presidential campaign slogan that rhymes with his name: “Gaganda ang buhay kay Binay.” (Life will improve with Binay).

Senator Grace Poe, who has led the polls for many months now, has chosen the slogan, “Walang Maiiwan.” (No one will be left behind)

So back to Santiago. What’s her campaign slogan?

“Stupid is not forever!”

It is a take-off from her book, “Stupid is Forever,” and its sequel, “Stupid is Forevermore.” Both are best-sellers.

It wasn’t clear whether her slogan refers to elected officials, or the voters who keep electing  corrupt and incompetent politicians.

In any case, Santiago’s slogan is sure to be another best-seller and may be her ticket to Malacañang Palace!

Film and TV, Politics, Race Relations, The Media

ASIAN AND HISPANIC JOURNALISTS PROTEST USE OF ‘ILLEGAL ALIENS’ IN NEW SUPERMAN MOVIE

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Controversial scene from 'Batman v Superman' (screen capture)
Controversial scene from ‘Batman v Superman’ (screen capture)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – Two of the country’s minority journalism organizations today formally protested the use of the term ‘illegal alien’ in the new Hollywood film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The Asian American Journalists Association(AAJA) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) sent a strongly-worded joint letter to Zack Snyder accusing the film’s director of perpetuating stereotypes and fueling anti-immigrant sentiments.

The film’s first trailer was released yesterday. In one scene, Superman (Henry Cavil)  is seen on Capitol Hill being mobbed by angry protesters bearing placards with messages like “Superman = Illegal Alien,” and “Aliens are Un-American.”

The letter asked Snyder: “How difficult is it for you to use ‘undocumented immigrant’ instead of ‘illegal alien?’

AAJA and NAHJ have been advocating against the use of offensive and derogatory language by the media especially as it relates to immigrants and minority communities.

In a brief email response to the journalism organizations, Snyder simply said, “Chill, guys. This is fiction! Besides, Superman IS an alien!”

The film opens March 16, 2016 in theaters worldwide. Ben Affleck plays the role of Batman.