Economy | The Adobo Chronicles

Quezon City, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The government may never recover the Ten Billion pesos that disappeared into phony projects and pockets of politicians in the pork barrel scam in the Philippines. This, despite recent indictments that have led to the arrest of top senators, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and others implicated in the case.

So now, the government is focusing its energy into recovering up to 24 Billion pesos from piggy banks, drawers and closets of ordinary citizens. House Bill 4411 which passed on third reading makes it illegal to be in possession of excess coins. Coin possession will lead to eight years in prison and/or a fine of up to 300 Thousand pesos.

The proposed bill has encouraged politicians and citizens involved or intending to involve in the much more serious crimes of plunder, graft and corruption. The reason? The penalty for these greater crimes range from hospital arrest to detention in bungalow-type jails, and eventually, pardon.

A true testament to the Department of Tourism’s promotional meme of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines!”

A typical Filipino wake, with lots of food, singing, drinking and gambling.

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – He would not increase the minimum wage, but Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino is raising funeral benefits for both public and private sector workers.

Aquino issued Executive Order 167, which he signed last May 26, directing the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) to implement the new law since the current rates “for both private and public sectors are no longer sufficient to cover funeral costs.”

Aquino increased the funeral benefits for both sectors from P10,000 to P20,000 effective immediately.

“We can’t afford to increase wages because most of the money in the public treasury has been spent on ghost projects and shady deals by senators, congressmen, private businessmen and members of my administration,” Aquino said, referring to the 10 Billion pork barrel scam that has all but paralyzed the government.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to at least provide them with decent last rites and resting place, especially since many of our countrymen are dying of hunger and unaffordable or no healthcare because of low wages,” Aquino told The Adobo Chronicles.

The Aquino administration hopes that through this executive order, the funeral parlor business will flourish, creating more jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers, and eventually helping grow the economy.

Got P20,000? Will rest in peace. With dignity.