Category Archives: Politics

Politics

IT’S SHAPING UP TO BE MARCOS VS. AQUINO IN THE PHILIPPINES’ 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

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Red vs. Yellow: Bongbong Marcos, left, and Kris Aquino
Red vs. Yellow: Bongbong Marcos, left, and Kris Aquino

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In the U.S., presidential politics is shaping up to be a Clinton-Bush-Clinton-Bush affair.  In the Philippines, it’s likely to be Marcos-Aquino-Marcos-Aquino.

After four years of the older Bush (George H.W.) and eight years of the younger Bush (George W.); and after eight years of Bill Clinton, the 2016 U.S. presidential elections is likely to be a contest between another Bush and another Clinton – Jeb and Hillary.

The Philippines seems to be mimicking its former colonial master.  After twenty years of Marcos’ rule  (Ferdinand, Sr.)  and six years a piece for the older Aquino (Cory) and her son (NoyNoy), the 2016  presidential elections could possibly be a contest between another Marcos and another Aquino – Bongbong (Ferdinand, Jr.) and Kris (NoyNoy’s sister).

It will be up to the intelligent Filipino voter to make the difficult choice between matuwid na daan (straight path), and baluktot na daan (crooked path). Matuwid na daan is the NoyNoy administration’s battle cry.

The question is, who — between Bongbong and Kris — will follow which path? What color will the voters choose? Red (Marcos loyalists) or yellow (Aquino fanatics)?

Let the games begin!

(Actually, the games have begun. Marcos’ resume is now being scrutinized as far as his Oxford and Wharton degrees are concerned, while Aquino’s love life is taking center stage  — largely through her own doing).

 

International, Law Enforcement, Politics

IMMIGRATION REFORM: QUICK PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR FILIPINOS, VIETNAMESE, CUBANS,CHINESE, ETC.

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imageMIAMI, Florida (The Adobo Chronicles) – If you are undocumented and you live in one of the designated ‘immigration centers’ in the U.S., then you’re in luck. You will have a quick path to citizenship, if Republican Senator Marco Rubio will have his way.

Today, at the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Rubio announced his ground-breaking proposal to grant immediate U.S. citizenship to undocumented immigrants living in the country’s Chinatowns, Japantowns, Koreatowns, Little Manila, Little Saigon, Little Havana and all other ethnic-specific communities.

Rubio said that he now realizes that it will be impossible to deport all of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country, and that as a gesture of good faith relative to the Obama administration’s immigration reform initiatives, he is sponsoring a bill to grant these foreign nationals the quickest possible path to U.S. citizenship.

Rubio said details of his proposal will be unveiled shortly, but he emphasized that in order for undocumented immigrants to qualify for this proposed new law, they must show proof that they have been residing continuously in the designated communities for at least five years. Once granted citizenship, they must remain in their communities and will not be allowed to relocate until after another 5 years of being a U.S. citizen.

So if you are undocumented and have lived in one of these communities —  from San Jose and Daly City to Boston and Miami — for five years and above, you are advised to contact your immigration attorney and start gathering required documentation like passports, utility bills, credit card statements and any proof of payment of sales tax.

Economy, Politics, Sports, Travel

IN THE PHILIPPINES, MILLIONAIRES GET TAX EXEMPTIONS WHILE ORDINARY CITIZENS PAY MORE

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Metro Manila train commuters pay more for long lines
Metro Manila train commuters pay more for long lines

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Last January 4, base transportation fares on Metro Manila’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2, and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 were increased from P10.00 to P11.00 plus P1.00 per additional kilometer.

Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the increase, which he called “a tough decision” that had to be made in order to bring improved services on the MRT and LRT lines.

Metro Manila’s rail lines, particularly the MRT-3, have been the subject of complaints from commuters because of congestion and frequent delays caused by glitches and breakdowns.

During last week’s Adobo Tour, our our publisher, editor and star reporters personally experienced the long and winding lines to get to the ticket booths, to wait for trains to arrive and to exit the platforms. Not to mention having to wait for the next two trains because only 3 to 4 incoming passengers at a time can be accommodated in the sardine-packed train cars.

But while daily commuters have to deal with less take home pay from their already meager salaries, millionaires who own several airconditioned luxury vehicles and have so much money they could charter an entire Boeing 747, are beng granted tax exemptions by the ever-brilliant, grandstanding Philippine legislators . Manny Pacquiao, for example.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has proposed to grant a special tax exemption to Pacquiao to inspire him in his megafight with American Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2, 2015 (May 3 in Manila).

Pimentel said the special tax incentive was a “fitting tribute to the priceless package of proudly promoting the country once again in the international map.”

Pacquiao, an elected congressman from his hometown of Saranggani, has been in trouble with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in recent years for alleged failure to pay taxes on his earnings from his championship fights in the U.S.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares who has a reputation for going after celebrities for their prize winnings abroad, has not commented on the proposal by Pimentel.

So, for tax-free living in the Philippines, run for public office or take up boxing for a profession!