All posts by Pol Pinoy

Government, International, Media, Politics

Media Got It All Wrong: U.K. Not Leaving EU After Alll

June 24, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

LONDON, United Kingdom (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – The news that sent shockwaves across the globe on Brexit have been inaccurately reported by the media.

Headlines flashed across broadcast, print and digital media outlets yesterday that the U.K. has voted to leave the European Union (EU), prompting British Prime Minister David Cameron to announce that he was stepping down. Cameron had called for the referendum and was on the side of those wanting to stay in the Union.

But apparently, the vote was not about leaving EU but the United Nations. Only FOX News accurately reported the results of the vote.

This comes a relief to many who have wondered about the political, social and economic future of the UK if it left the EU.

Government, International

BREAKING: In An Unprecedented Move, Queen Elizabeth Nullifies Brexit Vote

June 24, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

LONDON, United Kingdom (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – Everyone knows that the role of the head of the monarchy is merely ceremonial and that the affairs of the government are run by duly-elected public officials.

But amidst the shock brought about by the historic U.K. vote to leave the European Union (EU), Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has opted to avail of a centuries-old provision in the constitution in which the head of the monarchy can undo a political move such as the Brexit vote once in every 25 years.

This is the first time in her queendom that the 90-year-old Elizabeth has used this obscure power.

In a palace proclamation today, the queen has nuillified the results of the Brexit vote on the grounds that proponents of the ‘leave campaign’ had misled the voters on the benefits for the U.K. in leaving the EU.

“Our monarchy and the government are based on the principles of truth and knighthood, and lies have no place in the kingdom,” the proclamation said.

Earlier, J.K. Rowling, author of the ‘Harry Potter’ series said that this was one time she hoped for magic, referring to the Brexit vote.

So, it’s status quo for the U.K. — an honorable member of the EU! And magic it was!

Awards, Government, Politics

BIR, Customs And DOTC Heads Cry Foul Over President Aquino’s Presidential Medals

June 24, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Outgoing presidents are known for their “midnight appointments,” but Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino will be known for his “midnight awards.”

With less than a week away before his 6-year-term ends and as he turns over the reins of government to Mayor Rod Duterte, Aquino presented 24 presidential medals to members of his cabinet and others in his administration.

On Thursday, June 23, Aquino bestowed two awards – the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Gold Cross Bayani on Cabinet secretaries and the Presidential Medal of Merit on other senior officials.

The President personally thanked his Cabinet members for their service and sacrifices, praising some of them for giving up their jobs and personal time with their families to “bring change” to the country. “I couldn’t have done anything without you,” he said.

But conspicuously missing from his honorees were three of the most popular agency heads of the Aquino administration — Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Emilio Abaya and Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina.

All three protested their omission from the merit awards and went as far as calling Aquino persona non grata.

Incidentally, the three agencies were named by Duterte as “the most corrupt” agencies in the country. (While the Land Transportation Office or LTO was the third agency mentioned by Duterte, it is under the jurisdiction of the DOTC headed by Abaya. The infamous Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA, is also under his wing).

By snubbing the three admninistration heads, political analysts have concluded that Aquino agrees with Duterte’s assessment on the three most corrupt agencies in the country.