Monthly Archives: November 2015

Government, International, Politics

KRIS AQUINO WANTS TO BE EXCUSED FROM HOSTING APEC LEADERS’ SPOUSES

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Aquino, Peña-Nieto and Trudeau
Aquino, Peña-Nieto and Trudeau

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tradition dictates that the spouse of the head of the host-state tour the spouses of guest-leaders during Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events, but with President Aquino being a bachelor, his sisters had to fill in.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., director general of the APEC National Organizing Council, earlier told reporters that the president’s  sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abelleda, Viel Aquino-Dee and Kris Aquino will be giving the spouses of APEC leaders a historical tour of Intramuros during the Nov. 18-19 event.

Jardin said the tour, with the theme “A Walk Through Time,” would recreate a “living museum” scenario at every stop featuring actors, dancers and musicians.

However, at the last minute, Kris, an actress and talk show host, asked that she be excused from the spouses’ tour.

She asked her president brother to assign her instead  to be the personal chaperone of two of the most good-looking heads of state attending the Manila summit: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Kris told The Adobo Chronicles that she is ‘very kilig’ (flirtatiously excited) just thinking about it. “Both gentlemen are so pogi (handsome), and it will be an honor and an extreme pleasure for me to be their tourist guide! I also want to do a one-on-one interview with them for my TV show.”

Kris’ three sisters are understandably not happy.

International, Politics, Travel

MANILA’S AIRPORTS AUTHORITY GM ADMITS HE IS PAID TO DO NOTHING

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Honrado (Photo Credit: Inquirer/Joan Bondoc
Honrado (Photo Credit: Inquirer/Joan Bondoc)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Amid rapid-fire questioning by Senator Bongbong Marcos, the general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) admitted yesterday that he is being paid to do nothing.

The Senate hearing focused on laglag bala, the alleged extortion scheme wherein airport personnel “plant” bullets in the bags of unsuspecting airline passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Jose Angel Honrado  said he has “no control” over the 22 agencies that are under his jurisdiction, adding that his main responsibility is “coordination” and ensuring a “smooth flow” of airport operations.

But he insists he has no clue over what’s been happening at NAIA, to which Marcos asked, “So, if you have no control as general manager, what is your job?”

Honrado has been the MIAA general manager since 2010. He served as security consultant of President Aquino during the May 10 elections. He served as spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and also served as aide-d-camp of the late former President Corazon Aquino.

Economy, Government, International, Politics, Travel

RUSSIA’S PUTIN AND INDONESIA’S WIDODO WILL SKIP APEC SUMMIT IN MANILA

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) –  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting in Manila next week.

According to the Russian news agency RBC, Putin suddenly refused to participate in the APEC summit in the Philippines but will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.

Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the International Media Center on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario confirmed Widodo’s absence from APEC.

“I just got a verbal message that there are things in Jakarta that need the attention of Pres. Widodo,” Del Rosario said, citing domestic concerns as reason for Widodo’s sudden non-attendance.

Widodo will be represented by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.

Although the Russian and Indonesian govenments did not give specific reasons for their heads of state’s decision to skip the Manila summit, many are speculating that Putin and Widodo are scared of being victimized by the laglag bala extortion scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

President Aquino expressed frustration especially over Putin’s decision since the Manila government even set aside an exclusive lane for the Russian leader along EDSA (Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare) so that he does not encounter any traffic to and from the meeting site.