Category Archives: Government

Environment, Government, Local News, Tourism

Baguio City Officials Mull Over Converting Burnham Lake Into An Ice Skating Rink

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Frozen Chicago River, left, and Baguio City’s Burnham Lake, right

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) –  The Chicago River in Illinois, U.S.A. literally froze this week as temperatures dipped below zero degrees.

This gave the ever-efficient city officials of Baguio City led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan a brilliant idea: to convert the murky Burnham Lake in this Philippine summer capital into an ice skating rink.

Baguio’s own temperature dipped to 9 degrees this week, sending chills to both residents and visitors who are in town for the opening of the month-long Panagbenga Festival.

The conversion plan involves dredging the man-made lake, refilling it with salt water and installing an underground ice maker.

Many ice skating enthusiasts were elated over the plan, but others, including operators of rental paddle boats in the lake were not happy.

Domogan said the conversion is part of the city government’s overall plan to rehabilitate the city which could eventually lose its tourism industry because of overcrowding, traffic and deterioration of natural parks.

We may soon see the next Filipino Olympic skating champion among our Baguio youth!

Government, Politics, Social Media

Opposition Senators Endorse Ely Pamatong’s Philippine Presidency

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Pamatong

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) –  The Internet is abuzz with rumors that Ely Pamatong is about to set foot in Malacañang to forcibly take over the presidency from Rodrigo Duterte.

Pamatong, a disbarred Filipino lawyer, is a perennial candidate in Philippine elections who was declared a nuisance candidate twice for his presidential bid in 2004 and 2010. More recently, he filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court, in June 2018. He seeks to oust Duterte, on the grounds that his certificate of candidacy in the 2016 presidential elections was illegal.

Upon hearing of his takever plan, Opposition Senators Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros ,Antonio Trillanes  and Franklin Drilon offered full support for Pamatong.  They said that this was their best and only chance to oust Duterte and regain political power.

Incarcerated Senator Leila De Lima also expressed a similar sentiment, adding that she wouldn’t mind being appointed Pamatong’s Vice President.

De Lima’s statement, however, didn’t sit well with Leni Robredo who claims she is the duly-elected Vice President.  The Office of the Vice President (OVP) told The Adobo Chronicles that Robredo will only endorse Pamatong’s bid to be President if he promised it will only be transitional. “Eventually, once Pamatong has taken over the Presidency, Robredo wants to be officially declared the new President,” the OVP said.

Economy, Government, Politics

Senator Bam Aquino Proposes One-Time 14th And 15th Months Pay

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In preparation for the start of the campaign period for next year’s national and local elections, Senator Bam Aquino has urged Congress to pass a bill granting employees a one-time only 14th and 15th months pay.

Many will recall that proposals for a 14th month pay have been pending in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Aquino’s proposal will combine a 14th and 15th month pay for all employees, payable before the May 2019 elections.  It will not be an annual payout.

Aquino told The Adobo Chronicles that his proposal will encourage Filipinos to vote for incumbent legislators who are seeking reelection. Like himself.

Quite a campaign strategy, we’d say!