Government, International, Law Enforcement, Media, Politics

U.S. Cancels Senator Bato’s Visa; Philippines Revokes Maria Ressa’s Dual Citizenship

December 14, 2019 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Phlippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Sir Isaac Newton’s third law on motion says, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Newton’s law was again proven when the Philippine government revoked Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s dual citizenship on the grounds that she has been peddling fake news and information about extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The revocation came as a reaction to reports that the U.S. has cancelled Senator Bato de la Rosa’ s visa for alleged violation of human rights. De la Rosa was former Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) which played a leading role in the implementation of the war on drugs.

Ressa on the other hand, along with her online news source Rappler, is being credited for spreading unproven numbers of those who were victims of alleged EJKs. She has also accused the Duterte government of ”weaponizing the law” to curtail her freedom of speech, and by extension, her freedom to make money under the guise of being a news media company.

Previously, over 50,000 netizens signed a petition to the Department of Justice to revoke Ressa’s citizenshp.

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

Philippine Senators Demand Release Of All U.S. Prisoners At Guantanamo Bay

December 13, 2019 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In a rare show of unity and non-partisanship, Philippine Senators unanimously approved a resolution demanding that the U.S. government immediately release all prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

As of latest available information resulting from a Google search, about 40 detainees remain at the U.S.-leased detention center in Cuba. Many of the detainees are suspected terrorists.

The Filipino Senators crafted and approved the resolution following a similar move by the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee which demanded that the Philippine government release incarcerated Senator Leila de Lima and drop the charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, accused of violating the Constitution, tax evasion and cyber libel.

“If American Senators can meddle with domestic affairs of the Philippines, there is no reason we can’t dictate how they should deal with theirs,” Senate President Tito Sotto told The Adobo Chronicles.

Gone are the days when Juan dela Cruz cowers at the threats and dictates of Uncle Sam.

As a Filipino battle cry says, “Laban!” (Fight!)

Business, Government, International

Manila Water And Maynilad Bid To Be Water Concessionaires For Sydney, Australia

December 13, 2019 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – They may have offered to forfeit the P10 Billion due to them by the Philippine government as part of a Singapore Artibiration Court’s ruling, but Manila Water and Maynilad are confident they will easily recover that amount, and more, in Australia.

The two firms, closely associated with the Ayala and Pangilinan oligarchy, have submitted a bid as new water concessionaires for Sydney which has been reported to be running out of water.

A joint spokesperson for the two companies said that despite the Philippine government’s plan to cancel their concessions as water distributors for Metro Manila, they are poised for bigger profits by taking their business to Australia.

The Singapore Arbitration Courts award to the firms stemmed from their claim of loss of revenue due to the Philippine govenment’s previous decision to block rate hikes on water consumers.