Category Archives: Language

Language, Politics, Social Media, The Media

Ad Hominem: Manila Newspaper Apologizes To Senator De Lima After Threat Of Lawsuit

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image.jpegMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – No one can mess with Philippine Senator Leila De Lima, especially with her vast knowledge of the Latin language.

Today, the Manila Standard  profusely apologized to the lady senator after that shocking headline it published on Wednesday.

“Witnesses Finger De Lima,” the headline read.

That headline angered De Lima who threatened the newspaper with a lawsuit for defaming her good character.

“I am suing for Ad hominem,” De Lima told The Adobo Chronicles.

Ad hominem, short for argumentum ad hominem, is a logical fallacy in which an argument is rebutted by attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, or persons associated with the argument, rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself.

It will be recalled that Delima uttered several Latin phrases during her privilege speech in the Senate the day after she was ousted as chair of the committee on justice and human rights.

“Sorry na po,” the Manila Standard said,” nakalimutan po lamang naming idagdag yung “point” sa “finger-point.” (We’re sorry, we just forgot to add the word ‘point’ to ‘finger-point.”

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Government, International, Language, Media, Politics

New Philippine Ambassador To The U.N. Hopes To Hone His English Language Skills

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Locsin (Facebook grab)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Former lawmaker and television host Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. has accepted his appointment as the Philippines’ ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Malacañang said Sunday.

As the new UN ambassador, Locsin will be able to improve on his English and other language skills as he interacts with other dignitaries from across the globe.

Locsin is not particularly keen on his own national language, Tagalog, which he has described as “bullshitty” and “useless a tongue for debate.” His comments came right after the Philippine presidential debate earlier this year, in which he criticized some candidates for speaking in Tagalog.

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Locsin has conducted his television show in English, albeit in a heavy accent.  But he hopes to hone his English skills during his stint as Philippine ambassador to the UN.

Government, Language, Media, Politics, Social Media

North Korea Bans Sarcasm, Philippine Senators Want To Outlaw Satire

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Free speech is under heavy attack in Asia.  North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has banned sarcasm while a group of Philippine senators wants to outlaw satire.

Kim has banned sarcasm because he fears people only agree with him ironically, according to reports. Government officials were apparently warned they will “not be forgiven” if they are heard being sarcastic. Mass meetings were organised across the country to spread the word about the new order.

Meanwhile in the Philippines, four senators have banded together to file a jont bill that would outlaw satire in the  country.  The senators — Tito Sotto III, Manny Pacquiao, Ria Hontiveros and Leila De Lima — said they’re tired of being the subject of ridicule and the butt of jokes from a growing number of news satire sites.

“Why can’t these sites just leave us alone to do our job,” the senators complained. “When we are attacked on social media for our brilliant ideas, these satire sites are practically attacking the millions of people who voted for us.”

Sotto, who in the past was accused of plagiarizing the late U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, urged his followers to boycott satire news sites, including The Adobo Chronicles, So, What’s News?, The Professional Heckler, Mosquito Press, Eritas Times, Pinoy Trending, The Sick Man of Asia,  The Philippine Trend, The Philippine Chronicle,  The Philippine Pride, Baskille, and XOLXOL.ph

In addition to the satire sites, Hontiveros also wants to ban pro-Duterte bloggers like Sass Rogando Sasot and Mocha Uson.

The bill is set to be filed in the Senate’s next session.

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