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

March 1, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

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!

Film and TV, Politics, The Media

WHY KRIS AQUINO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016

March 1, 2015 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

Kris Aquino (Photo credit: inquirer.net)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In an article posted yesterday, presidential sister and TV host Kris Aquino detailed the reasons why she is not running for public office in 2016. But that was the Inquirer version. Here’s the other version as told by Aquino herself to The Adobo Chronicles:

“Sa totoo lang ha, I’m very humbled by the growing glamor – I mean clamor – for me to run for public office in 2016. I’ve said it once and I’ve said it twice na ang priority ko are my two kids and my growing business investment as a franchise owner of Chowking. But things always come in three’s, di ba? So for the third time, I have the right to change my mind, gets nyo?”

“Sa kadaldalan ko, I recently said that after my brother PNoy’s term is up in 2016, there will be lots of lawsuits that will be made sampa against him and that I have to be there for him, especially because I know he is alone in life, as in matandang binata. Blood is thicker than bulalo, di ba?” But thanks to the great advice of my dear friend and TV show co-host Boy Abunda, I have come up with a better strategy to help my dear brother.”

“Today, I am announcing that I have formed an exploratory committee to make recommendations and help me decide whether or not I will run for president in 2016. This committee will study the legal implications of my being elected president on the possible conviction of PNoy.”

“One of the things the committee will explore is whether as president I will be able to grant full pardon to my dear brother after he is convicted for any acts he has done while in office.” Alam nyo naman, there is a precedent when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned Joseph Estrada who was convicted and jailed for corruption while the latter was president. Look nyo lang ha, Estrada was even able to run again for public office and is now the mayor of Manila.”

“Pero wait lang, you might ask, what about my commitment to take care of my two kids? Well, since PNoy will no longer have a full-time job (and honestly, I don’t think any private company in the right mind would even consider employing him), he can be the yaya for my kids. After all, my kids love their tito so much.”

“As for my investments, I plan to reconcile with Mayor Herbert because I know he is very good and very skilled in money investments. Look nyo naman ang nagawa niya for Quezon City, di ba? He can take care of my investments so I can focus on running the country. I am not at liberty at this point to say whether I will accept a second marriage proposal from him. Only time will tell.”

“As for the comment of my tita Tingting Cojuanco that she will leave the country if I get elected, all I can say is ‘good riddance!’ Blood can sometimes be thinner than the sauce of kare-kare, di ba?”

“So to all my fans out there, don’t believe all the rumors you hear about me and my plans to run for public office. Follow me na lang sa Facebook and Instagram accounts ko and watch always my TV shows, especially ‘Aquino & Abunda Tonight.’ Promise, you will hear it first from me — each time and all the time!”

There you have it dear readers — straight from the horse’s mouth.

Film and TV, Religion

‘STAR TREK’ FANS TO FORM HUMAN CHAIN AROUND WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH

February 28, 2015 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

TOPEKA, Kansas (The Adobo Chronicles) – Yesterday, The Adobo Chronicles reported that the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) was planning to picket the still unannounced funeral services for Leonard Nimoy, a.k.a. Spock of the classic ‘Star Trek’ series.

The online news source, The Inquisitr reported that WBC associated their picket threat with other Star Trek stars, and the things about those stars that the group opposes: George Takei and Zachary Quinto, who are openly gay (the WBC’s favorite conversation piece), and William Shatner, who the Westboro Baptist Church claims “hates God.”

But no one messes with Star Trek fans!

Star Trek fans from across the U.S. and elsewhere have begun descending upon Topeka, Kansas, headquarters of WBC. Beginning at midnight tonight, the fans will form a human chain around the WBC church to prevent members of the hate group from leaving Topeka and from making good their picket threat.

The human chain will remain in effect 24 hours a day, everyday, until Nimoy is laid to rest.

Star Trek fans are encouraged to participate in the human chain by registering for a minimum shift of three hours and to come dressed as their favorite Star Trek character. The rainbow-colored house across from the WBC church will serve as registration and command center.

Anticipating a huge Star Trek fans turnout, organizers said they plan to set up not just one but as many human circles as possible around the church. They even expect to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of concentric circles in a human chain ever.