Category Archives: Politics

Film and TV, Politics, Technology

KRIS AQUINO’S INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS JUST DROPPED TO ZERO

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – They were once very good friends — the Philippines’ Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino and the Teleserye Queen, Judy Ann Santos. Their friendship couldn’t have been more evident than in their back and forth Instagram posts, practically boosting each other’s ego.

But things have obviously changed because Kris has unfollowed Judy on Instagram, after the latter expressed her thoughts on the “Fallen 44,” the police officers who were killed in a misencounter with rebel forces in the island of Mindanao.

Judy joined millions of Filipinos who expressed outrage over President NoyNoy Aquino’s handling of the special forces operation designed to capture wanted rebel leaders, and his non-appearance in the arrival ceremonies in Manila of the bodies of the fallen officers. The president chose to attend the inauguration of a car manufacturing plant just miles from the capital. Judy cited U.S. President Barack Obama’s cancellation of foreign trips or other appoinments to attend arrival ceremonies for fallen American soldiers in war zones across the globe.

Blood is thicker than water, so Kris took the side of his president brother and warned her Instagram followers that they will be “unfollowed” if not outrightly deleted from her Instagram account if they sided with Judy or expressed any untoward comments regarding her brother’s handling of the police “massacre.”

Well, Judy seems to have the last laugh.  As of 6 p.m. Monday, local time, Kris’ followers dropped to zero from 1.4 Million, the biggest  drop in followers ever recorded on social media worldwide. It was she who was unfollowed.

It is a lesson learned for the presidential sister: politics and friendship (or fans) don’t mix. Especially if it involves a very unpopular president.

Business, Economy, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

FOR PHILIPPINES’ PRESIDENT AQUINO, IT’S ‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles)  – While the bodies of 42 police officers slain in an encounter with lawless elements in the southern island of Mindanao arrived at Villamor Airbase  in Manila yesterday, President NoyNoy Aquino was toasting champagne with top business executives a few miles south of the capital.

Somber and solemn ceremonies were held to honor the police officers — members of the Special Action Force who were practically wiped out in a surprise encounter with the rebels.

Cabinet officials present during the arrival ceremonies included Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Transport Secretary Jun Abaya, and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

Other notable guests were former President Fidel V. Ramos, Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, and Sen. Nancy Binay.

Most of the guests, including VIPs and relatives of the slain cops, donned black ribbons on their left arm.

imageAquino, on the other hand, was hobnobbing  with executives of Mitsubishi at the inauguraton of the car manufacturer’s new plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“I wouldn’t miss Dom Perignon for anything,” Aquino said, referring to the top brand champagne served at the elaborate event. The president was also very delighted to see a display of the latest Mitsibishi Lancer.

For Aquino, it’s business as usual — literally and figuratively.

 

Politics, Religion

POPE FRANCIS EXCOMMUNICATES PHILIPPINES SOCIAL WELFARE SECRETARY DINKY SOLIMAN

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imageTHE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) –  As she wiped her tears, Philippines Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman finally admitted on Tuesday that she had homeless people rounded up to put Manila in order for the visit of Pope Francis last month.

Soliman testified at a hearing of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development that was called to investigate persistent reports that she rounded up homeless people and  street children, sending  them on a paid vacation for the duration of the papal visit. She explained that the 100 families, or 427 individuals, living along Roxas Boulevard that traverses the cities of Manila, Pasay and Paranaque were brought to Chateau Royale resort in Batangas, south of the capital. It cost the government 4.75 Million Pesos.

Upon learning of the admission, Pope Francis immediately signed a pastoral document excommunicating Soliman from the Catholic Church.  As per tradition, excommunication bars a Catholic individual from receiving or participating in church sacraments, including, but not limited to, receiving Holy Communion or a church burial.

“I visited the Philippines to be with the poor, homeless, sick and down-trodden,” Francis said, “and it is unconscionable  that they were hidden from me just so the government will look good.”

The Pope promised to return to Manila for a private visit later this year to be with the children and homeless who were rounded up and hidden by Soliman.