All posts by Pol Pinoy

Actress Nora Aunor On Duterte Inauguration: “Walang Himala!”

imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It was June 30, 2016, the day Rodrigo Roa Duterte was to take his oath of office as the 16th president of the Philippines.

In early morning, the sky over Manila was cloudy.  Then there was thunder. Mother nature was about to rain on Duterte’s parade.  Was it an ominous sign of things to come?

Then after the brief rain, the sky cleared. Military honors for the incoming president  reverted to Plan A — outdoors.

But then, inside the Rizal Hall of the presidential palace, Malacañang, something mysterious was going on.

Throughout Duterte’s inaugural speech, hundreds inside the hall, as well as millions of Filipinos watching the ceremony on television, saw the image of Jesus Christ, peering from the blue section of the Philippine flag behind the president.

“Duterte is the chosen one,” many exclaimed.

The Adobo Chronicles interviewed Filipino multi-awarded actress Nora Aunor (whom former President Aquino snubbed for a national artist award), and who is considered an expert on extra-natural occurrences in her films and in real life.

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Aunor in “Himala”

She was quick to dismiss the reported “miracle.”

“Walang himala,” (There is no miracle) she said, reprising her famous line in one of her most memorable films, “Himala.”

When asked what she thought happened, Aunor said, “I’m sure President Aquino’s housekeeper just forgot to iron the flag before it was displayed on stage.  It happens.”

So there you have it. It was no miracle.  No Jesus Christ on the Philippine flag.

But we still think Duterte is the chosen one.

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Binay, Robredo Shared The Vice Presidency For Three Hours

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VP oath-taking: Robredo, left, and Binay, right

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – From 9am to 12 Noon on June 30, 2016, the Philippines had two sitting vice presidents – Jejomar Binay and Leni Robredo.

Incoming VP Robredo took her oath of office at 9am that day – three hours ahead of when her 6-year-term was supposed to commence, according to the constitution.

Article 7, Section 4 of the consitution states:

“The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date, six years thereafter.”

In other words, when Robredo became VP, Binay’s term had not yet ended, so the Philippines had two VPs for a full three hours.

Here’s why this mattered:

Article 7, Section 8 of the constitution says:

“In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term.”

There was a legal reason why Rodrigo Duterte waited until exactly 12 noon to take his oath of office as president.  The term of NoyNoy Aquino didn’t end till that time.

So, what if something happened to President Aquino between 9am and 12 Noon that day?  Who would have assumed the presidency for three hours?

Binay, or Robredo?

Did Robredo violate the Philippine constitution?

We’re just asking.

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People Magazine Names ‘Sexiest Male Models Alive’

image.jpegOTTAWA, Canada (The Adobo Chronicles, San Francisco Bureau) – People Magazine is known for its international list of top celebrities and professions — from the ‘Most Beautiful Women,’ to ‘Sexiest Doctor Alive’ to “Most Influential Men and Women on Earth.’

In its upcoming, special double-issue, the magazine has named the ‘Sexiest Male Models Alive.’ That’s right — models — not one or two, but three.

And the winners are: U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

In naming the trio, the magazine editors said, “Who could disagree that these men exude the look, the charisma and the bearing of fashion icons regardless of what they’re wearing — a suit, short shorts or the Filipino barong tagalog?”

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The three men in their barong tagalog during last year’s APEC Summit in Manila (Photo collage credit: thesummitexpress.com)

The cover shows the heads of state strutting their stuff at a red carpet fashion show in downtown Ottawa where they are meeting for the North American Summit, also known as the Three Amigos Summit.

The special issue hits the newsstands on July 4th.

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