Category Archives: Government

Duterte-De Lima Handshake During SONA Was Scripted

July 27, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

De Lima, left, and President Duterte (Photo: Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It was caught on camera: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was walking with a serious demeanor towards the dais at the Batasang Pambansa (Philippine Congress Building) to begin his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). Then he suddenly stopped, turned back and extended his hand to his number one nemesis Senator Leila De Lima. Then after the brief handshake, he continued on with a naughty smirk on his face.

During a television interview the next day, De Lima said she appreciated the “warm, friendly” gesture of the president. “It was an icebreaker of sorts, and to show to the people na wala talagang personalan sa ginagawa naming pareho,” (there was nothing personel between us) she said on ANC’s Headstart.

The senator and the president have been trading barbs lately, with De Lima saying she will be seeking a legislative probe on the series of killings of drug suspects since the time Duterte took office.

But unknownst to De Lima, the whole thing was scripted by award-winning film director Brillante Mendoza.

Mendoza was tasked to direct the entire SONA proceedings.

Apparently, the recorded “encounter” was going to be part of a new independent film that Mendoza is working on as an official entry to next year’s Cannes Film Festival. The working title of the new film project is “The Punisher and the Fiscalizer.” Sources close to Mendoza told The Adobo Chronicles that the film is going to be a comedy.

Mendoza’ latest film, “Ma’Rosa” was critically acclaimed at the last Cannes Film Festival and won for Jaclyn Jose the Best Actress Award, a first for the Philippines.

Film and TV, Government

SONA: No Cannes Moment For Director Brillante Mendoza

July 25, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

L-R: President Duterte, Mendoza, Pacquiao, Jose

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chroncles, Manila Bureau) – The jury has delivered its verdict: there was no Cannes moment for film director Brillante Mendoza during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Mendoza, who won the Best Director award for his film ‘Kinatay’ at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, was asked by Malacañang to direct the SONA, held at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Netizens were quick to question whether Mendoza’s “under-the-podium” and “under-Duterte’s nose” camera angles were necessary. Many said the shots were distracting at the most.

But the biggest setback for the production was Duterte’s constant going off the script. What was advertised as a 30-minute speech ended up three times as lengthy.

Members of the diplomatic corps ended up not understanding most of Duterte’s adlibs which he delivered in Tagalog and a sprinkling of Cebuano.

Senator Manny Pacquiao repeatedly yawned during the speech.

More importantly, many television viewers were disappointed that there was no “fish ball” moment, the scene that many say won for Jaclyn Jose the Best Actress award in the last Cannes Film Festival. She starred in Ma’Rosa, directed by Mendoza.

Maybe, it’ll be better during Duterte’s second SONA.

Government, Law Enforcement, Travel

Philippines: One-Lane Policy May Be Key To Solving Manila’s Traffic Nightmare

July 22, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

EDITORIAL

How do you solve the nightmarish traffic problem of Metro Manila without getting rid of mass transport like buses and jeepneys? Not even the establishment of the light railway system or the “coding” system seemed to have created a dent on this hellish situation.

Well, we think we have just the right solution, thanks to our traffic experts here at The Adobo Chronicles.

We propose a one-lane per vehicle policy at all times in all major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, and this is how it works:

Any motorist — whether driving a bus, jeepney, taxi or private car — caught on closed circuit TV (CCTV) occupying more than one lane on any street or avenue should be fined or imprisoned, or both. The same punishment should imposed on motorists trying to overtake another vehicle from the right, instead of the left.

And here’s the key: the penalty will depend on how many lanes a vehicle is occupying at the time the photo was taken — two lanes would mean double the fine and prison term; three lanes would triple the penalty, and so on.

While overtaking from the left will continue to be legal, it has to be done as quickly as possible so as not to be caught on candid camera.

We hope President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s transportation team will heed this call.