Monthly Archives: March 2016

Entertainment, Government, Law Enforcement, Politics

After Failing To Tax Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe Crown, BIR’s Kim Henares Goes After AlDub

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Mendoza, left, and Richards
Mendoza, left, and Richards

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – AlDub, the popular noontime TV love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza—has become the country’s hottest endorser of consumer products. In just seven months since its debut on TV in July 2015, AlDub’s combined earnings have reached P200 million—based on conservative estimates by sources interviewed by Inquirer Lifestyle.

The revelation caught the attention of the Philippines’ chief tax woman, Commissioner of the Bureau Internal Revenue (BIR) Kim Henares who is known for her tough stance in going after celebrities for the purposes of taxing their earnings. Among Herares’ celebrity pursuits is Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.

When Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach first returned to Manila after winning the pageant, Henares wanted to tax the $300,000 crown worn by the Filipino queen. Naturally Henares was unsuccessful because Wurtbach’s crown was just “on loan” for the duration of her reign as Miss Universe.

So when Henares learned of the advertising earnings of Richards and Mendoza, the BIR commissioner wasted no time in issuing a summons to the two celebrities, asking them to appear in her office with certified true copies of their earnings statements so that she could accurately calculate the taxes owed by the couple.

The timing of the summons was questioned by some of the presidential candidates who hinted that the Aquino administration’s candidate, Mar Roxas, needed some campaign funds infusion for his weak showing in national polls. But The Adobo Chronicles could not independently confirm whether Henares’ move was related to Roxas’ campaign.

 

 

 

History, International, Politics

Trump Supporter Who Made Nazi Salute Assumed Donald Was A Hitler Descendant

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imageCHICAGO, Illinois (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – The woman who was photographed making a Nazi salute at the canceled Donald Trump rally in Chicago last week thought that the Republican presidential candidate was a direct descendant of Adolf Hitler.

The photo showing Birgitt Peterson, 69, in a Trump t-shirt, eyes locked with a protester, her right arm raised skyward and palm faced downward, immediately went viral. Netizens commented that the photo is proof of Trump’s ‘fascist’ tendencies which have attracted many supporters like Peterson.

For the first time since the photograph went viral, Peterson spoke out and explained why she did what she did.

The West Berlin-born Peterson claimed she was a genealogist and had recently researched Trump’s heritage. It is no secret that Trump comes from a German and Scottish background.

Peterson’s research further established Trump’s direct German lineage:

Donald’s grandfather, Friederich (Fred) Trump. was born on March 14, 1869 in Kallstadt, Pfalz, Germany. He immigrated in 1885 to United States from Hamburg aboard the ship “Eider” and became a U.S. citizen in 1892 in Seattle, Washington. He died of influenza on 30 Mar 1918 in New York City, New York.

Donald’s grandmother, Elizabeth Christ, was born on October 10, 1880 in Kallstadt, Pfalz, Germany and died on 6 Jun 1966 in Queens, New York.

Peterson got excited and started to research if Donald’s lineage had any direct connection with Hitler. Her research got briefly interrupted because she had to leave her home to attend the Trump rally.

“When I made the Nazi sign, I was still in my genealogy research mode. It was a subconscious act on my part when confronted by anti-Trump supporters,” she said.

Peterson apologized for her reflex action, but said she will continue her research because she still feels that Donald was a direct descendant of the Führer.

Government, International, LGBT, Politics

Philippines Hoping For A World Record: A Woman President And Vice President

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From top left, clockwise: Bettel, Schneider, Robredo, Poe

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Luxembourg may be the only country in the world where the prime minister and vice prime minister are both gay men, but that record could soon be eclipsed by the Philippines where two women may be elected president and vice president in the coming May 9 elections.

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Vice Prime Minister Etienne Schneider, are both openly gay.

The Philippines has had women presidents in the past — Cory Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — but this year’s electoral contest could put the country on the world map as the only one with the top leaders being both women.

The latest national polls shows Senator Grace Poe leading the pack of what Filipinos fondly call, “presidentiables” — those who COULD be president.  Poe was recently cleared by the Supreme Court to run for president after it decided a disqualification case (DQ) in her favor.  By a vote of 9-6, the high court ruled that Poe, a foundling, is a natural-born Filipino citizen and has fulfilled the 10-year residency required of all presidential candidates.  Poe’s opponents include the incumbent Vice President, Jejomar Binay; former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (President Aquino’s anointed one); Davao Cityi Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.  Poe has consistently led in the polls.

For the vice presidential contest, the latest poll shows Leny Robredo closing in on top rivals Senators Chiz Escudero (Poe’s running mate) and Bongbong Marcos (Santiago’s running mate).

While Robredo is the VP running mate of Roxas, Philippine electoral rules allow for voters to elect a president and vice president  who may be from different political parties, unlike in the U.S. where it is a party winner-take-all for the presidential and vice presidential contest.

The Philippines is known for its penchant for world records — in boxing, beauty contests, or the Guinness World Record.

Will the Philippines bag yet another honor come May 9?