Category Archives: International

Culture, International, Religion

Filipinos Offended By Pope Francis’ Comment Calling Them Smugglers

1 Comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipinos worldwide couldn’t be more proud when Pope Francis personally attended the “Simbang Gabi” orgnized by Filipinos in The Vatican.

”Simbang Gabi” is a Philippine  tradition involving a nine-day novena where Catholics attend early dawn masses in preparation for Christmas.

Francis, in his message during the Vatican Simbang Gabi, told Pinoys to be ‘smugglers of faith.’

That didn’t sit well with Filipinos in the Philippines and the entire diaspora. “There are smugglers amongst us, but not every Pinoy is a smuggler,” a Filipino now living in Rome told The Adobo Chronicles.

Looks like the Pope hit a nerve. Or shall we say pinched a nerve.

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Media, Politics

U.S. Cancels Senator Bato’s Visa; Philippines Revokes Maria Ressa’s Dual Citizenship

Leave a comment

MANILA, Phlippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Sir Isaac Newton’s third law on motion says, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Newton’s law was again proven when the Philippine government revoked Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s dual citizenship on the grounds that she has been peddling fake news and information about extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The revocation came as a reaction to reports that the U.S. has cancelled Senator Bato de la Rosa’ s visa for alleged violation of human rights.  De la Rosa was former Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) which played a  leading role in the implementation of the war on drugs.

Ressa on the other hand, along with her online news source Rappler, is being credited for spreading unproven numbers of those who were victims of alleged EJKs. She has also accused the Duterte government of ”weaponizing the law” to curtail her freedom of speech, and by extension, her freedom to make money under the guise of being a news media company.

Previously, over 50,000 netizens signed a petition to the Department of Justice to revoke Ressa’s citizenshp.

 

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

Philippine Senators Demand Release Of All U.S. Prisoners At Guantanamo Bay

Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In a rare show of unity and non-partisanship, Philippine Senators unanimously approved a resolution demanding that the U.S. government immediately release all prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

As of latest available information resulting from a Google search, about 40 detainees remain at the U.S.-leased detention center in Cuba.  Many of the detainees are suspected terrorists.

The Filipino Senators crafted and approved the resolution following a similar move by the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee which demanded that the Philippine government release incarcerated Senator Leila de Lima and drop the charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, accused of violating the Constitution, tax evasion and cyber libel.

“If American Senators can meddle with domestic affairs of the Philippines, there is no reason we can’t dictate how they should deal with theirs,” Senate President Tito Sotto told The Adobo Chronicles.

Gone are the days when Juan dela Cruz cowers at the threats and dictates of Uncle Sam.

As a Filipino battle cry says, “Laban!” (Fight!)