Tag Archives: Congress

CONGRESSMAN CLAY AIKEN, CONGRESSWOMAN JESSICA SANCHEZ?

Aiken, left, and Sanchez
Aiken, left, and Sanchez

San Diego, California (The Adobo Chronicles) –  There’s something special about being the runner-up in the reality TV singing competition ‘American Idol.’  With a few exceptions, runners-up seem to generally have better professional success than the winners in their respective seasons – in the recording business, stage, film, religious ministry, and politics.

Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken (who lost to Ruben Studdard) is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for North Carolina’s Second Congressional District seat. His Democratic opponent, Keith Crisco, unexpectedly died today.

Meanwhile, The Adobo Chronicles learned that Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez (she lost to Phillip Phillips) has filed her candidacy for the 51st Congressional District in Chula Vista, California. She has  decided to run as an Independent.

Political observers agree that Sanchez has the cards going in her favor because the district has a large Filipino and Latino population. Sanchez was born to a Filipina mother and Mexican father. The only odds against her is if the Filipinos and Mexicans do not go out and vote.

Both Aiken and Sanchez have an enormous advantage over their opponents. They do not even have to give speeches at their campaign rallies. They just need to belt out a tune or two.

Will the next Congress welcome Congressman Aiken and Congresswoman Sanchez?

 

 

WHY HAWAII’S NEXT NEW CONGRESSMAN COULD BE REPUBLICAN

Charles Djou
Charles Djou

Honolulu, Hawaii – We all know about Blue Hawaii, the bluest of states. But the Republicans have a good chance of sending one of their own to the U.S. Congress come the 2014 elections, in the person of Charles Djou of the 1st Congressional district of Oahu.

The Huffington Post  lists 8 reasons why Hawaii could elect a Republican candidate in this year’s congressional elections.

The Adobo Chronicles agrees with the No. 8 reason listed by HuffPost: that Charles has a memorable last name, one that voters would easily remember when they enter the polling booth.

Imagine a candidate whose last name is humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Okay, that’s Hawaii’s state fish, but you know what we mean.

Charles’ last name is easy enough to remember. Is it a cross between French and Chinese. But voters just need to think about the mustard they put on their BBQ burgers or their loco mocos: dijon.

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES: WHAT’S ON THE MENU

gen8bManila, Philippines – Freedom of Information, Death Penalty, Anti-Political Dynasty, Reproductive Health — these are issues too overwhelming for members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the Republic of the Philippines.  Theses issues are so controversial that passage of corresponding bills have become almost impossible. And the Philippine Congress is worried about its emerging reputation as a “Do-Nothing Congress.”

So, in their respective current sessions, both houses are busy drafting and hearing numerous bills that would easily gain bi-partisan support, among them:

  • House Bill 3926 to make adobo national dish of the Philippines, authored by Representative Rene Relampagos of the province of Bohol.
  • Senate Bill 1863 seeking to impose fines on establishments that refuse to serve half-cup rice orders, authored by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
  • House Bill 3979 to require bottled water to be included in the menu of restaurants and fast food chains, authored by Representative Lorna Velasco (Partylist, AMA).

Marcos’ bill aims to prevent unnecessary waste in the country’s main staple and to ensure enough rice supply even in times of calamity.  Velasco’s bill seeks to replace sodas and sweet drinks which are responsible for obesity, diabetes and other health issues faced by Filipinos.

In addition to these measures, the bi-partisan committee on ways and means has proposed two resolutions pertaining to the Congress itself:

  • Resolution to change the official name of the Congress of the Philippines to “Restaurant Congress of the Philippines” to better reflect its legislative priorities.
  • Resolution to rename bills to “menu.”  So, henceforth, the above bills will be known as House Menu 3926 and 3979, and Senate Menu 1863.