Category Archives: Politics

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Media, Politics

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

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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

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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!)

 

Government, International, Politics

U.S. Senate Committee Revives Issue Of Statehood For The Philippines

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Just hours after the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution asking the Philippine government to release Senator Leila De Lima from detention and stop the harassment of Maria Ressa, Senators Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) submitted an all-important amendment.

The two are now wanting the Philippines to be annexed to the U.S. as the 51st state.

Statehood for the Philippines is not a new issue.  Many attempts have been initiated in the past to make Juan de la Cruz (referring to Filipinos) to become U.S. citizens by affinity.  The Philippines used to be a colony of America.

The proposed amendment comes after Markey and Durbin were reminded that the Philppines has long been independent and that their resolution has no bearing on the domestic and sovereign affairs of the country.

The news was met with enthusiasm by millions of Filipinos who have been trying to get visas to visit or immigrate to the United States. Just like little brother thanking big brother.