Category Archives: Government

Arts, Government, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Science and Environment, Tourism, Travel

Boracay’ s Famous Sand Castle To Be Demolished

December 8, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The world’s most beautiful island, as per the magazine Condé Nast, is in deep, deep trouble.

Its most famous sand castle built in the middle of the long stretch of White Beach is about to come down for good, thanks to the persistence of environmentalists and advocates against illegal construction on public land.

The sand castle, which bears the words, ” I love Boracay,” along with the month, day and year updated on a daily basis, is one of the island’s icons. No one who visits Boracay goes away without a selfie in front of the sand structure.

This is not the first illegal construction demolished in Boracay. Years ago, government agencies demolished illegal structures of a posh resort for encroaching on a no-build zone among various other alleged violations of local and environmental laws. That resort, the West Cove, is rumored to be owned by Filipino champion boxer and now Senator Manny Pacquiao.

So, while “it’s more fun in the Philippines,” you never know when the axe falls on you especially if you do not have the needed permits to build on public or zoned land.

Tomorrow, December 10, a final tribute to the sand castle will be held by residents and tourists alike. There will be music, fire dancing, buffets and free San Mig light beer to all who will attend the “burial.”

Unlike the remains of the late Ferdinand E. Marcos in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, it will be impossible to exhume the sand after it is demolished. That means, there can be no protests or rallies.

Government, Immigration, International, Politics

Duterte Critic and FilAm Millionaire Loida Nicolas-Lewis Now Stateless

December 8, 2016 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

NEW YORK, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, New York Bureau) – Of what use are your millions of dollars if you don’t have a country to call your own? Well, that’s exactly what Filipino American millionaire Loida Nicolas-Lewis is faced with right now after she publicly called for the resignation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte so that VP Leni Robredo can take over.

Nicolas-Lewis is a known supporter of the candidacy of Mar Roxas who lost the election to Duterte, and Robredo.

By calling for the resignation of Duterte, many elements in the Philippines are accusing her of ‘sedition,’ and have asked that she be declared a persona non grata and stripped of her Philippine citizenship.

On the other hand, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump who has endorsed Duterte’s administration is in the process of revoking Nicolas-Lewis’ American citizenship for interfering in the affairs of a foreign nation (the Philippines). Trump dislikes the Filipina millionaire because she actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton and supported the Obama administration.

So what’s next for Nicolas-Lewis?

In a phone call with The Adobo Chronicles today, she indicated that she is planning to purchase a beachfront property in the Bahamas. Good thing she has the millions of dollars for it. From dual citizen to a millionaire refugee she will be!

Awards, Gender, Government, International, Politics, The Media

TIME Magazine Picks A Woman For 2016 Person Of The Year

December 7, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

NEW YORK, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – TIME Magazine has announced its pick for 2016 Person of the Year, and it is a woman. And no, it’s not Hillary Clinton.

The magazine’s editor chose Philippines Senator Leila De Lima.

The neophyte senator was Justice Secretary during the administration of President NoyNoy Aquino. She has consistently grabbed the news headlines since she assumed her elective position, not because of bills she has passed but because of the huge controversy she has been involved in.

De Lima has been implicated in the alleged illegal drug trade inside the country’s national penitentiary (New Bilibid Prison). In hearing after hearing, her name was mentioned as having benefited from drug money collected from drug lords, supposedly to fund her senatorial campaign.

She has categorically denied the allegations.

The TIME editors chose her because of her staying power. She has rejected calls for her to resign. Instead, she has actively participated in Senate hearings not only to investigate the illegal drug trade at NBP, but also the extra-judicial killings (EJK) that have marked President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

At one point, she was stripped of the chairmanship of the Senate committee investigating the EJKs. Then when witness after witness implicated her, she courageously took on the role as prosecutor and at the same time defense attorney for herself.

The editors said, “She held her head up high in the midst of allegations she had a sex video tape with her former driver, bodyguard and lover.” She denied the existence of the video but admitted to having a romantic relationship with her driver who was named as the “bagman” for drug money she allegedly received from the drug lords.

The editors also noted that despite her admission of “frailty” in connection with her romantic relationship, she stood strong and defiant, walking out of the hearings, holding daily press conferences and directly confronting her accusears, including her ex-lover. “She even maintained her high fashion sense with her signature neck scarves,” they added.

“We could not think of any other person — man or woman — who has the kind of stamina that De Lima has displayed,” the editors said.

Speaking of stamina, the editors said that Hillary Clinton was the other person TIME was considering for the annual honor, but Clinton’s record for stamina (during the Benghazi hearings) only lasted for hours. In contrast, De Lima’s stamina lasted for months.

And she still keeps on going and going…