MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – One would think the Duterte government’s initiative to clean up the polluted Manila  Bay will have 100% support from Filipino citizens, but that’s not the case.

The Makabayan Bloc in Philippine Congress — mostly Partilist Representatives — wants to block the recently-launched “Battle for Manila Bay,” an government and private sector partnership aimed at rehabilitating the Bay that was once famous for its spectacular sunset.

The solons include:

• Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro

•Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao

•Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate

•Gabriela Representatives Arlene Brosas and Emmi de Jesus

•Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago

In a statement obtained by The Adobo Chronicles, the Representatives said they wanted to preserve the fame of the Bay as   a tourist destination, one that is unique in its filthiness.

”If we clean up the Bay, then how would it be different from all of the world’s famous bays, like the San Francisco Bay, or Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay,” Elago said.

BRISBANE, Australia (The Adobo Chronicles, Sydney Bureau) – History repeats itself in many ways.

In a span of one month, Miss Philippines won not one but two prestigious international beauty pageants: Miss Universe – Catriona Gray and Miss Intercontinental, Karen Gallman.

Both have something in common. They have roots in Australia — Queensland in particular — with Gray being born in Cairns and Gallman having an Australian father from Brisbane.

But history repeating itself also applies to an Australian newspaper in Queensland which  first claimed that Gray is Miss Queensland, not Miss Philippines, and now that Gallman is also Miss Queensland, not Miss Philippines.

Well, let’s just give it to the newspaper, and not ruin its fantasy.

Congratulations Miss Universe and Miss Intercontinental — Australians both.

Both are Presidents, and very controversial.  Both have critics as well as die-hard supporters.  But how different are Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte from each other?

Here, The Adobo Chronicles analyzes:

• Trump is President of a developed country; Duterte of a developing country
• Duterte won by a landslide popular vote; Trump lost the popular vote
• Prior to being President, Trump has built fame and a huge  financial empire; Duterte has built a peaceful and progressive city as Mayor
• Trump wants to repeal Obamacare; Duterte just signed a Universal Health Care law
• Trump wants to build a wall; Duterte has opened his country’s doors to all people from the entire universe
• Duterte has waged a war on drugs; Trump oversees a country where a vast majority of narcotics passes through its legal channels
• Trump is a threat to social security; Duterte has made sure senior citizens and indigents are well taken care of
• Duterte frequently jokes about women; Trump wants to grab them by the p*ssy
• Trump sees China as a threat and an enemy; Duterte is friends with China
• Trump now wants to cancel The White House  daily press briefings; Duterte just banned one reporter from Malacañang press briefings. Yes, that would be Rappler’s Pia Rañada
• Trump has closed down the Federal government and is willing to do it again; Duterte has closed down Boracay for rehabilitation, and is willing to do it for Manila Bay and other destinations
• Trump loves his Vice President; Duterte is still looking for a real Vice President
• Trump may not be elected for a second term; Majority of Filipinos want Duterte President for life