Category Archives: Government

PHILIPPINES: VICTIMS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

August 7, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Haiyan-survivors_CNNPH — Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy

PALO, Leyte, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The Aquino government proudly announced recently that it has found P350 Billion ($8 Billion) in savings from the 2014 budget, yet it has failed to release funds previously approved for Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) rehabilitation.

It is no wonder that the United Nations, in a scathing report, gave the Aquino administration a failing grade for the dismal effort to build decent and sufficient permanent housing for those displaced by the devastating typhoon almost two years ago.

A total of 205,000 housing units needed to be built or reconstructed in the typhoon-hit areas, but the Philippine government has built just 2.5 per cent of the units.

It has taken foreign governments to undertake efforts to provide housing for the thousands who lost their homes because of Haiyan.

The Australian government has officially handed over housing units to around 8,000 persons or 1,533 families who were affected by the super typhoon. The units were turned over in a ceremony last July 28 at the Palo Municipal Hall in Palo, Leyte led by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell.

“Australia and the Philippines have a deep and warm relationship covering broad areas including development, trade and defense cooperation. Australia will always stand ready to support the Philippines and the Filipino people in times of disasters,” said Tweddell.

During the turnover ceremonies, the housing beneficiaries pledged their allegiance to the Australian government. “If our own government cannot help us with our basic needs, we might as well recognize the foreign government that is helping us,” one of the housing beneficiaries said.

Along with the ownership titles for their homes, the grateful residents also received their Australian citizenship papers.

Government, International, Religion

PHILIPPINES CUTS DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH THE VATICAN!

August 6, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

ROME, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The predominantly Catholic country, the Philippines, has cut diplomatic ties with The Vatican, sources close to Pope Francis, told reporters in Rome today.

The surprise move comes after Pope Francis issued a statement Wednesday calling for the church to embrace Catholics who have divorced and remarried.

Such couples “are not excommunicated, and they absolutely must not be treated that way,” Francis told a Vatican crowd. “They always belong to the church.”

Francis asked pastors to welcome Catholics who have remarried without an annulment, even though such Catholics are currently barred in most cases from receiving the Eucharist, the central sacrament of the faith.

“The church is called to be always the open house of the father … no closed doors! No closed doors,” Francis told the crowd at his weekly public audience, which resumed after a month-long summer break.

President Aquino, a devout Catholic (and a bachelor) confirmed the news with the Malacañang press corps. He said that the decision was reached after consulation with the ultra conservative Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The Philippines prides itself as the only remaining country in the world, outside of The Vatican, in which divorce is not legal. This, despite common knowledge that many Filipino men, especially rich politicians, are known to be philanderers and openly practice polygamy.

“By his statement, Pope Francis undermines the Philippines’ stubborn resolve to cling to centuries-old church dogma regarding the Sacrament of Marriage,” Aquino said. “We can’t allow The Vatican to take away the Philippines’ world record on divorce law,” he added.

Government, International, Military

ONE NAVY SHIP DONATED BY AUSTRALIA TO THE PHILIPPINES IS MISSING!

August 5, 2015 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

Capture ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – One of the naval ships donated by the Australian government to the Philippines has been reported missing.

The Philippine Star is reporting that two Australian naval ships have reached the country’s territorial waters.

The two landing craft heavy (LCH) ships are now sailing the waters of Zamboanga and are expected to reach Sangley Point in Cavite on Friday, according to Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan.

Australia announced its plan to donate the LCH transport ships to the Philippines last January. The ships were transferred to the Philippine Navy after being refurbished with new safety and navigation equipment.

The vessels were decommissioned from Australian service at a ceremony in Cairns on November 19, 2014. They were commissioned by the Philippine Navy on July 23, 2015.

However, the Philippine Star report showed a photo of three, not two, naval ships. So there is speculation that the third ship may have been lost at sea or diverted to another country.

The Philippine Navy has not returned our calls for comment.