WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Donald Trump’s executive order on travel has generated nationwide protests, but the president himself is protesting a law passed by Congress in late 2015 which could have his U.S. passport cancelled by the State Department.
More than a year ago, H.R.22 gave the IRS a new weapon to collect taxes. Tax code Section 7345 is labeled, “Revocation or Denial of Passport in Case of Certain Tax Delinquencies.” The law isn’t limited to criminal tax cases, or even cases where the IRS thinks you are trying to flee. The idea of the law is to use travel as a way to enforce tax collections. It was proposed and rejected in 2012. But by late 2015, Congress passed it and President Obama signed it.
If you have seriously delinquent tax debt, IRS can notify the State Department. The State Department generally will not issue or renew a passport after receiving certification from the IRS.
Now we all know who has refused to release his tax returns amid reports that he has paid zero taxes, or could possibly owe the IRS huge sums of money.
Will Donald Trump become the first world leader to be passportless?
More important question is, can he be president of the United States if his most important proof of citizenry is cancelled? He’d better start carrying his birth certificate wherever he goes.
Now that’s what we call Obama karma!
MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – On February 25, 2017, the Philippines will commemorate the anniversary of EDSA People Power I, the peaceful revolution that ousted the late Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Since that 1986 life-changing event for the Filipinos, nothing much has changed in as far as the ideological rivalry between the pro-Aquinos and the pro-Marcoses. In fact, taking Marcos out of the equation, there continues to be a fierce conflict between the so-called Yellowtards (pro-Aquino and Liberal Party) and Dutertards (pro-Digong Duterte).
But 2017 could see a historic coming together of all Filipinos from all sorts of colors and political persuasions. As a matter of fact, President Rodrigo Duterte and Ex-President Noynoy Aquino are leading this new phenomenon of “One Filipino Nation, United.”
Reliable sources in Malacañang tell The Adobo Chronicles that the two presidents have decided to reconcile to the dismay of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines which has always been pro-Aquino and anti-Duterte.
In fact, Aquino joined Duterte in his latest trip to Davao City where the two met privately in the president’s private residence before announcing their reconciliation.
So on February 25, 2017, the Filipinos will gather one last time at the EDSA shrine to celebrate People Power, one that is neither yellow nor red; neither ‘L’ sign nor “closed fist.” It will just be a colorless event with a new Miss Universe-type hand wave, symbolic of unity, camaraderie and everlasting peace.
Mark your calendars: February 25, at noon, EDSA!
The Adobo Chronicles 
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