Category Archives: Government

Film and TV, Government, Media, Politics

Just Revealed: Television Networks Censored President Obama’s State Of The Union Speech

January 20, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – Now it can be told.

Millions of Americans watched President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union (SOTU) address on January 12, 2016. But something transpired at the end of his speech that the television networks did not show to their viewers. You had to have been inside the Congressional chamber to witness Obama’s unconventional address.

Luckily, a Republican senator who shall remain unnamed — using his iPhone 6 Plus — was able to capture the actual and precise moment when Obama did this: (watch till the end)

Government, Politics

Philippine Senate Approves 1,500 Percent Increase In Balikbayan Box Tax Exemption

January 18, 2016 Pol Pinoy 3 Comments

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – We asked Siri what 1,500% of P10,000 was, and her answer was P150,000. And that’s exactly what the Philippine Senate wants in terms in an increase in the tax-exemption for Balikbayan boxes.

The Balikbayan box is part of the Philippine government’s incentive program for Filipino expatriates to encourage them to send goods to their loved ones back home, tax-free. The current tax-free limit is P10,000.

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill that would not only modernize the Bureau of Customs (BoC) but would also raise the tax-exempt value of balikbayan boxes from P10,000 to P150,000.

Senate Bill No. 2968, known as the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act (CMTA), was approved by the chamber Monday.
Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means and sponsor of the bill, said the measure aims to amend the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) in compliance with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) which is a blueprint for “modern and efficient customs procedures” of the World Customs Organization.

If it becomes law, what does the bill mean for overseas Filipinos?

It means they can stop going to Walmart or Costco to buy bulk items or designer goods to pack into their Balikbayan boxes.

They will now be able to shop at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Macy’s, as well as buy grocery items from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. It also means that the high-definition, flat screen television sets they send to their families back home can now be as large as 69 inches, as opposed to the usual 29 inches.

It’s really more fun in the Philippines, especially if you have relatives in the U.S. and other countries.

Economy, Government, Politics

President Aquino: I Lied When I Said Philippines Is No Longer ‘The Sick Man Of Asia’

January 14, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Throughout his almost six years in office, President NoyNoy Aquino has been touting the economic accomplishments of his administration and has constantly proclaimed that the Philippines is no longer “The Sick Man of Asia.” Rather, he says, it is “The New Darling of Asia.”

Today, Aquino admitted that he had lied to the Filipino people.

Aquino’s admission came in the wake of intense criticism regarding his veto of a new law that would increase social security pensions to Filipinos by P2,000. The current maximum monthly retirement benefits for those who have worked for at least 20 years is P2,400 (in US Dollar equivalent, that’s about $51).

Aquino said the proposed increase would result in a negative income for the Social Security System (SSS), adding that the passage of the bill would force the agency to use the Investment Reserve Fund (IRF) to fund the pension increase. He said this would result in the IRF reaching zero by 2029.

“I apologize for misleading my bosses (the Filipinos). My intention was merely to make my administration look good, especially in the eyes of foreign investors. I hope you can all forgive me,” Aquino said.

To show to the people that he is heartfelt with his apology, he promised to waive his P8,000 monthly pension for life as a former president. Aquino’s 6-year-term ends in June after his successor is elected in the presidential elections this May.