Category Archives: Government

Guess Who Was Absent From The Senate This Week?

June 27, 2016 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

Senator Pacquiao (Photo: sports.abs-cbn.com)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipino champion boxer Manny Pacquiao registered his first absence from his duties and responsibilities as newly-elected senator this week.

Pacquiao, known to his countrymen as the No. 1 absentee congressman during his term as elected representative of his province of Sarangani, had promised during his senatorial campaign that he would try his best to have a 100% attendance record as senator.

He hasn’t even assumed his position but he already had his first no-show.

On Monday, Pacquiao and the other neophyte senators elected last May were supposed to attend an orientation conducted by the Senate Secretariat to brief the lawmakers on the upper chamber’s rules, protocols, and other important issues. Only three of the five new senators showed up: Risa Hontiveros, Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva. The other senator-elect absent was former Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

A spokesperson for Pacquiao told The Adobo Chronicles that the congressman had a previously-booked appointment.

However, the spokesperson said that Pacquiao has revised his promise to those who voted for him. This time, he is promising to attend 99.9% of all sessions and official functions of the senate.

Government, Media, Politics, Social Media

Duterte Announces List of Media Allowed To Cover Malacañang Inauguration

June 27, 2016 Pol Pinoy 2 Comments

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Other than the state-run People’s Television Network, none of the Philippines’ mainstream media are happy campers these days, especially leading up to the June 30 inauguration of President-elect Rod Duterte.

Mainstream media have not only been slapped with the cancellation of Duterte’s media briefings in recent weeks, but have also been shut out of live coverage of the presidential inauguration from inside the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.

Today, the Duterte inauguration committee announced that the Davao City mayor has given his approval to allow a few media outlets access to the palace ceremonies on June 30. These outlets — 8 local and 2 foreign media — have not only been alloted front seats at the inauguration but have also received official invitations to join the diplomatic corps in the maruya (banana fritters) and buko (coconut) juice reception that immediately follows.

As announced by newly-appointed presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella, those given exclusive credentials to cover Duterte’s inauguration in addition to PTV-4 include:

1. Mocha Uson (the sexy performer who recently scored an exclusive video interview with Duterte)

2. The Adobo Chronicles

3. The Professional Heckler

4. Mosquito Press

5. Eritas Times

6. So, What’s News?

7. The Sick Man of Asia

8. XOLXOL.ph

9. The Onion

10. Saturday Night Live

In addition, Abella said that Facebook will live-stream the palace ceremonies.

Government, Law Enforcement, Tourism, Travel

Visiting Hawaii? You Must Exchange Your Gun With Fishing Rod

June 26, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

HONOLULU, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles, Honolulu Bureau) – Visiting card-carrying NRA members and other gun owners are always welcome in paradise, but they have to leave their weapons at the airport upon arrival in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s strict gun laws do not recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states. Acquiring a firearm in Hawaii requires a permit to acquire, issued to qualified applicants by the county police chief. There is a minimum 14-20 day waiting period for receiving a permit.

Recently, the Rainbow State became the first in the nation to put firearm owners into a federal database. That database, known as the “Rap Back” system, is operated by the FBI and would notify police when a gun owner is arrested for a crime anywhere in the United States.

Today, the state government went a step further by temporarily confiscating privately-owned guns and replacing them with fishing rods upon arrival at any of Hawaii’s airports. The fishing rods will be on loan at no charge, and the gun owners can retrieve their weapons upon departure after they surrender the fishing equipment.

Hawaii Governor David Ige told The Adobo Chronicles that the new measure is in keeping with the state’s no tolerance policy for irresponsible gun owners as well as its commitment to keep Hawaii a truly safe paradise. He added that the fishing rod idea would also promote the local tourism industry since it will force gun-owning visitors to explore the state’s vast ocean-side resorts as well as aquatic landmarks.

So the next time you arrive in Hawaii with your gun, expect Hawaii-Five-O to be on hand to meet you at the airport!