Category Archives: Religion

Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Religion

AQUINO PROPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO LIFT TERM LIMIT, CREATE FOURTH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

July 16, 2014 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Contrary to widespread public perception, Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino has a Ferdinand E. Marcos-like brilliant mind, capable of authoring a grand design that could lead to his becoming a lifetime head of state.

Under the constitution, Aquino is limited to a six-year term as president, ending in 2016. But he has come to enjoy his presidency so much and the power that comes with the office.

So, he has urged his allies in the Philippine Congress to immediately convene a constitutional convention, the only legitimate process to amend the law of the land.

Aquino is proposing two major amendments to the Philippine Constitution:

Lift the term limit for the president, suggesting that an elected president can run for as many reelections, six-year terms at a time.
Create a fourth branch of government in addition to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The fourth branch would be the Catholic Church, to be headed by the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Aquino said that creating a fourth branch would prevent potential clashes among the existing three branches. “The fourth branch will act as mediator, and who is in a better position to do that than the CBCP,” he added.

Back to Aquino’s brilliant mind, the head of the CBCP, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, is known to be a very close ally and adviser to the president. In other words, Aquino can be assured that CBCP will always align with him in all conflict. His continued reelection will also be assured, considering the great influence of the Church among voters in this predominantly Catholic country.

Human Interest, International, Religion, Sports, Travel

WORLD CUP FINALS: TENSION IN THE VATICAN

July 9, 2014 Pol Pinoy 2 Comments

Popes Francis, left, and Benedict, right

Rome, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – It has come down to this: Germany or Argentina. Which team will win the 2014 World Cup?

The answer might boil down to who has greater favor with God — Pope Francis or Pope Benedict. Both Pontiffs have reportedly engaged in some major prayer petitions lately on behalf of their respective football teams.

Pope Francis is from Argentina and Pope Benedict is from Germany.

The outcome of Sunday’s World Cup finals will definitely confirm which of the two living popes is more favored by the Almighty.

Since the final match is scheduled on a Sunday when Catholics go to church to attend mass, will the Catholic faithful pray for their favorite team? Which prayer petition will be answered: pro Germany or pro Argentina?

There is so much tension in the Vatican right now.

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CHANGE OF VENUE: PHILIPPINES TO HOST 2018 WORLD CUP

July 9, 2014 Pol Pinoy 31 Comments

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (The Adobo Chronicles) – The 2014 World Cup concludes with the final match between Germany and Argentina this Sunday. Already, all eyes are focused on the 2018 World Cup.

Earlier, Russia won the bid to host the next World Cup, but mounting concern about the country’s human rights record has forced FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to cancel the winning bid and name an alternative venue for 2018 soccer games.

In an announcement that stunned the world football community, FIFA has named the Philippines as the new venue for the 2018 World Cup. Unknown to many, the Philippines does have its national football team named ‘Azkals,’ which is ranked 129th by FIFA. Whether or not the Azkals can qualify for the 2018 games is not an issue. Rather it is all about the venue.

This year, the Philippines will inaugurate the Philippine Arena located in Bocaue, Bulacan, just 14 miles north of Manila. It is owned by the filthy rich religious group, Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), which accounts for just about 3% of all religious denominations in the country.

FIFA was very impressed with the enormity of the domed structure. Using the arena as the venue for the World Cup was the deal breaker in the decision to award the Philippines the hosting rights for 2018.

The 74,000 square meter indoor arena has a seating capacity of 50,000, way above the FIFA standard of 30,000 for its World Cup venues. Once completed, the Philippine Arena will be the largest domed structure in the world. In comparison, the Madison Square Garden in New York could only sit 20,000 people, while the Staples Center in Los Angeles has a capacity of 21,000.

Designed by Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, construction is being carried out by South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. and is expected to be completed in time to mark the church’s centennial celebration this year.The church said it plans to use the arena for religious gatherings, except in 2018 when it will rent out the arena to FIFA.

It’s not only “more fun in the Philippines” (the Philippine Department of Tourism meme). It’s also bigger and better in this island nation.

See related story: World Cup, The Battle Between Two Popes.