Category Archives: Government

BREAKING: In An Unprecedented Move, Queen Elizabeth Nullifies Brexit Vote

June 24, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

LONDON, United Kingdom (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – Everyone knows that the role of the head of the monarchy is merely ceremonial and that the affairs of the government are run by duly-elected public officials.

But amidst the shock brought about by the historic U.K. vote to leave the European Union (EU), Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has opted to avail of a centuries-old provision in the constitution in which the head of the monarchy can undo a political move such as the Brexit vote once in every 25 years.

This is the first time in her queendom that the 90-year-old Elizabeth has used this obscure power.

In a palace proclamation today, the queen has nuillified the results of the Brexit vote on the grounds that proponents of the ‘leave campaign’ had misled the voters on the benefits for the U.K. in leaving the EU.

“Our monarchy and the government are based on the principles of truth and knighthood, and lies have no place in the kingdom,” the proclamation said.

Earlier, J.K. Rowling, author of the ‘Harry Potter’ series said that this was one time she hoped for magic, referring to the Brexit vote.

So, it’s status quo for the U.K. — an honorable member of the EU! And magic it was!

Awards, Government, Politics

BIR, Customs And DOTC Heads Cry Foul Over President Aquino’s Presidential Medals

June 24, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Outgoing presidents are known for their “midnight appointments,” but Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino will be known for his “midnight awards.”

With less than a week away before his 6-year-term ends and as he turns over the reins of government to Mayor Rod Duterte, Aquino presented 24 presidential medals to members of his cabinet and others in his administration.

On Thursday, June 23, Aquino bestowed two awards – the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Gold Cross Bayani on Cabinet secretaries and the Presidential Medal of Merit on other senior officials.

The President personally thanked his Cabinet members for their service and sacrifices, praising some of them for giving up their jobs and personal time with their families to “bring change” to the country. “I couldn’t have done anything without you,” he said.

But conspicuously missing from his honorees were three of the most popular agency heads of the Aquino administration — Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Emilio Abaya and Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina.

All three protested their omission from the merit awards and went as far as calling Aquino persona non grata.

Incidentally, the three agencies were named by Duterte as “the most corrupt” agencies in the country. (While the Land Transportation Office or LTO was the third agency mentioned by Duterte, it is under the jurisdiction of the DOTC headed by Abaya. The infamous Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA, is also under his wing).

By snubbing the three admninistration heads, political analysts have concluded that Aquino agrees with Duterte’s assessment on the three most corrupt agencies in the country.

Government, International, Politics

President Aquino’s Dream: EU Membership For The Philippines

June 23, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

LONDON, United Kingdom (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – As the United Kingdom concluded its referendum today on whether or not it should leave the European Union (EU), Philippine President Aquino has revealed his secret wish for his country to become an EU member.

“It has been a long-time dream of mine,” Aquino said, as he continued to pack up his belongings in preparation for turning over Malacañang (the presidential palace) to incoming President Rod Duterte.

Aquino said that becoming an EU member will be a testament to the fact that the Philippines is on its way to becoming a first-world country. “Everything I’ve done in my 6 years as president has been geared towards this goal,” he said.

It is estimated that more than one million Filipinos live in EU member-countries, with the top five destinations being the U.K., Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

“Since U.S. statehood for the Philippines is becoming less and less of a reality, the next best thing for our country is to be part of Europe,” Aquino told The Adobo Chronicles.

The outgoing president is hopeful that Duterte will continue to pursue this dream during the next 6 years.