Category Archives: Government

Congressional Democrats Sit Down, Republicans Stand Up, On Gun Control

June 23, 2016 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – For more than 24 hours, Democrats led by Representative John Lewis (D-Georgia), staged a sit-in on the floor of Congress to demand action on sensible gun legislation. The protest follows the recent shooting at an Orlando gay bar, killing 49 people and injuring scores of others.

House Democrats were looking for votes to expand background checks and ban gun sales to those on the no-fly watch list.

For their part, House Republicans stood up as Speaker Paul Ryan declared a recess that will last through July 5.

As they were leaving the chamber, many GOP representatives said they were so looking forward to return to their respective constituent areas to participate in fireworks in connection with Monday’s Fourth of July celebration.

Indeed, the balance of power in Congress is one to behold. Let’s just call it “firepower,’ courtesy of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

A new Congressional meme has emerged: “You either sit with us, or stand with us.”

Meanwhile, The Adobo Chronicles can now confirm that there is no truth to the rumor that the NRA is providing each Republican member of Congress with a limited-edition hand gun that bears the image of the American flag as a “gift” to commemorate this year’s Independence Day.

Food, Government

Severe Banana Shortage In The Philippines

June 23, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines has seen severe shortages of basic food items like rice, flour and garlic, but this is the first time that a banana shortage is being reported nationwide.

Public markets, groceries and supermarkets are all reporting very low supply of bananas, particularly the saba variety.

Saba bananas are widely used for Filipino delicacies like turon (banana egg roll), bananacue (sweetened fried banana on a barbecue stick) and maruya (banana fritters).

It didn’t take long for the Department of Agriculture to pinpoint the culprit — none other than incoming President Rod Duterte. Duterte had announced that during his June 30 inauguration at Malacañang (the presidential palace), he will feed the diplomatic corps and other guests with maruya and buko (coconut) juice, instead of expensive hors d’oeuvres and champagne.

In solidarity with their new president, many Filipinos are planning on serving maruya in their respective households, hence the shortage of saba bananas.

Duterte spokesperson Martin Andanar appealed to Filipinos for calm and assured them that the shortage is only temporary.

Instead of fretting over the banana shortage, Andanar encouraged Filipinos to turn to other fruit snacks and desserts, like mangoes, halo-halo and leche flan.

Government, Politics

President-Elect Duterte To Declare Second Philippine Independence Day

June 22, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipinos may just have commemorated their Independence Day last June 12, but already, a second celebration is in the offing, courtesy of President-elect Rod Duterte.

The Davao City Mayor has signed his first Executive Order that will take effect one minute after he is sworn into office at noon on June 30.

The order, titled, “An Act To Declare A Second Independence Day For All Filipinos,” is in recognition of the end of the yellow government rule which has gripped the nation in the last six years.

It is common knowledge among Filipinos that under the Aquino administration, the government was one of the yellow people, by the yellow people and for the yellow people. Even supposedly nationalistic symbols have been taken over by yellow ribbons and yellow t-shirts. Filipinos have seen six years of progress, opportunity, recognition and fringe benefits, but only for those who subscribed to the whims and ambitions of the Aquino government and the ruling Liberal Party.

In issuing the order, Duterte said it was time for the country to return to the true colors of red, white and blue. “Declaring our independence from the yellow color marks the end of untouchable corrupt and inefficient government officials like Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Honrado and others in agencies like Customs, Internal Revenue and the National Prisons. Also gone are the days of privileged celebrities like Cynthia Patag, Jim Paredes and Leah Navarro,” Duterte added.

To make the new national holiday more meaningful, the Duterte administration will provide complimentary admission to the Hollywood film, “Independence Day,” currently showing in theaters nationwide. The free admission will only be for moviegoers who will not be wearing anything with the color yellow.