Category Archives: International

Government, International

President Aquino Defends Chinese Attack On Filipino Fishermen In Disputed South China Sea

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imageKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Fire hoses, not water cannons, were used recently on Filipino fishermen by Chinese coast guards in the Philippines’ Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the disputed South China Sea territory, President NoyNoy Aquino has clarified.

The President said the government has already obtained the affidavits from the fishermen who were reportedly prohibited by a Chinese patrol ship from fishing in the shoal.  His statement came during his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at his office in Putrajaya.

“I brought it up as part of our discussions before the expanded bilateral (meeting). I mentioned that there has been this reported recent issue again on Scarborough,” the President said in a media interview in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

“Fire hose, not water cannon, was used based on the report I received. We have affidavits from the fishermen involved,” Aquino added.

Today, Malacañang responded to critics who condemned Aquino’s statement which seemed to defend the Chinese action.

“It’s just like stabbing someone with a butter knife as opposed to a steak knife,” a presidential spokesperson said. “It is not the same, just like there is a difference between a water hose and a water cannon.”

Huh?  The president’s statement may be dumb, but the justification issued by his press office is dumber.

It’s more fun in the Philippines.

 

Business, International, Tourism

Why Disneyland Is Not Coming To The Philippines

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imageANGELES CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It would have been an iconic proof of foreign investor confidence in the Philippines as has been constantly touted by the Aquino administration, but alas, Disneyland is, after all, not coming to this country in Asia.

In the past few weeks, Filipinos were filled with great excitement after hearing the news that Disney investors have agreed to build a Disneyland resort in the province of Pampanga, former site of the U.S. Clark Airforce Base.

Today, however, Disney told The Adobo Chronicles that the multi-billion company has nixed the idea of a Disneyland in Pampanga.

It has been reported that President Aquino has been wooing Disney as part of his administration’s campaign to increase foreign investment and promote world tourism in his country.

The Chronicles learned that Aquino gave Disney two conditions that needed to be met before it can build the theme park in the Philippines:

1. That the park be built in Tarlac, instead of Pampanga.  Tarlac, of course, is the hometown of Aquino, while Pampanga is the hometown of his nemesis, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

2. That the park be named NoyNoy Aquino Disneyland.  It was Aquino’s last-ditch effort to seal his legacy, and in keeping with major infrastructure being named after his family, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the 22-kilometer paved road network, the Cory Aquino Highway, which will connect the Cagayan Valley to Ilocos Region via Solsona town in Ilocos Norte.

Disney, however, said that Tarlac, unlike Pampanga, was not an ideal site for the theme park because of the presence of the controversial Hacienda Luisita (owned by the Aquinos).  It also said it didn’t want to politicize its business ventures by naming its park after political dynasties.

So for now, Filipinos can visit Disneyland in the U.S. — if they can get a visa — or Japan, where it is much easier to get one.

International, Politics

Top Ten Reasons To Move To The Philippines If Donald Trump Is Elected President Of the United States

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – With the prospect of a President Donald Trump becoming more and more of a possibility, many Americans are considering moving out of the United States and taking up residence in countries like Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.

But Americans should consider other options, like the Philippines.

Here are the top ten reasons to move to the Philippines if Trump is elected president:

1. Your $1 is worth 47 Pesos, and counting.
2. Wherever you are in the Philippines, there is a beach to your north, south, east and west.
3. Imagine owning a condominium for less than $50,000!
4. Imagine Manny Pacquiao being your senator!
5. You won’t miss CNN. There is a CNN Philippines.
6. You will never get annoying phone calls. Texting is the primary mode of communication.
7. Don’t worry about the traffic. Just stay home and you’ll be fine.
8. Don’t worry about the hot and humid weather. Just hang out in the airconditioned malls.
9. Once you reach the age of 60, you get 20% discount for all your purchases, free health insurance and priority service wherever you go.
10. By the time you move, NoyNoy Aquino will no longer be president! What a deal!

And a bonus reason: you don’t need to learn another language.  You will more than get by with your English!