Category Archives: Government

Government, Media, Politics, Social Media

Rappler To Malacañang: We Can’t Keep On Using Google And Wikipedia To Write Our Stories

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Online news website Rappler on Wednesday asked Malacañang to lift the ban on its reporters, a year since they were prohibited from covering Palace events.

In a letter addressed to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the news website said the ban violates “a basic constitutional principle that no law or rule should be passed abridging the freedom of the press.” 

CEO Maria Ressa added that Rappler cannot continue to use Google and its online search mechanisms or Wikipedia to gather facts and juicy rumors about Duterte and his administration.  “We are committed to first-hand reporting and we can only do that if our star reporters like Pia Ranada are allowed back in Malacañang premises.”

In response, Medialdea said his office cannot favorably act on the request because Rappler is not considered a media company.  “It is a dealer in stocks,” he said. “Let’s leave the Malacañang coverage to the legitimate press,” he added.

 

Government, Politics, Social Media

Senators Aquino, Hontiveros File Bill To Declare February 29 As Maria Ressa Day

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros could only empathize with Rappler CEO Maria Ressa for the legal troubles that she has been going through in the light of charges and warrants of arrest against her for alleged tax evasion and cyber libel.

The two Opposition Senators believe that what’s happening to Ressa is a deliberate attempt on the part of the Duterte administrtion to suppress Press Freedom and to intimidate Ressa for her anti-Duterte stance.

In recognition of her heroic efforts to fight the establishment, Aquino and Hontiveros have jointly filed a Senate Bill that would declare Feb. 29 this year as Maria Ressa Day.

In their proposed legislation, the Senators  are urging the Filipino people to light a candle and fast for 24 hours on February 29 in solidarity with Ressa and in protest of  what they are calling the persecution of a brilliant, dedicated and non-partisan journalist.

Surprisingly, the proposed bill seems to have 100% support from the Senate, and that Duterte is expected to sign it.

Environment, Government, Law Enforcement, Tourism

DENR Chief Orders Inventory Of Houses And Businesses In Baguio City

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Baguio’s Quirino Hill showing houses now standing where Pine trees and sunflowers used to provide a breath-taking view. (Photo by The Adobo Chronicles)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered his regional staff to make an inventory of Pine trees in Baguio City, following the series of the government’s rehabilitation efforts in some tourist spots in the country.

Cimatu was guest speaker at the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy in this summer capital.

But when he was informed by his staff that there’s not much Pine trees left to count, Cimatu revised his standing order and asked instead for an inventory of houses and business establishments now standing where Pine trees used to tread.