Category Archives: Government

Government, National News

Comelec: Voters To Get Indelible Ink On Their Pinkies!

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MANILA, Philippines ( The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – For as long as Filipinos can remember, voters have always been given the indelible ink on their forefinger as proof that they have already voted in a scheduled election. That is about to change.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia told The Adobo Chronicles that beginning with the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this October, voters will get the ink on their pinkies (little finger).

Garcia said the new rule was in response to the clamor by Pinoys to spare their forefinger on election day.

Reasons cited include the fact that most people use their forefinger for many things: to point to street directions and at turo-turo restaurants, to type on their smart phones and tablets, to warn kids about their mischiefs, and to suck in their mouth when nervous or anxious.

“We want voters to be hygienic with their forefingers on election day and the days following,” Garcia said.

Food, Government, International, Race Relations

Philippines’ China Neutrality: Fruit Diplomacy!

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines may officially subscribe to the “One-China Policy” but its practical approach is more of neutrality — through its Fruit Diplomacy which it hopes will significantly ease the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

While China sends aircraft and sea vessels in and around the Taiwan Straight to intimidate Taipei government, the Philippines regularly sending imports of banana, mango and durian to BOTH China and Taiwan.

Taiwan regularly monitors Chinese incursions into its ADIZ (air defense identification zone) while the Philippines constantly watches its revenue from its fruit exports.

As Philippine President Bongbong Marcos has said, “we are a friend to all, an enemy to none.”

(Brian Neyra contributed to this report)

Government, International, Politics, Race Relations

Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros’ Meeting With Taiwanese President Irritates Beijing!

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BEIJING, China (The Adobo Chronicles, HongKong Bureau)- Last year, Nancy Pelosi who was then Speaker of the US House of Representatives visited Taiwan and met with President Tsai Ing-wen. Last April, current Speaker Keven McCarthy did the same.  This, of course, angered Beijing.

The visits of the Democrat and Republican legislators prompted China to engage in military exercises across the Taiwan Strait.

Now China is also upset that Philippine Senato Risa Hontiveros visited Taiwan and met with Ing-wen.  In protest, China is contemplating in sending more Chinese fishing vessels in the South China Sea, near the Philippines’ territorial waters.

Moral of the story: For every action, there is a corresponding reaction.