Tag Archives: Philippines

Business, Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Religion, The Media

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT AQUINO GRANTS ABSOLUTE PARDON ON PORK BARREL SCAM

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imageManila, Philippines. (The Adobo Chronicles) – The pork barrel scandal that has gripped the Philippines and elevated corruption to unprecedented levels may finally come to an end.

The scandal involves the alleged siphoning of ten billion pesos of taxpayer money into the coffers of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles , ghost nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and politicians.

First, it was  the senators that were implicated in the scandal (more than half of sitting senators), then top Aquino administration officials, then current and past congressmen (more than 150 of them), then journalists, and finally the  National Bureau of Investigation and the Departme of Justice. That leaves the Catholic bishops the only ones unscathed.

But wait, previous news reports have long associated the Catholic church with Napoles, including the reported transfer of the famed Black Nazarene statue at the Quiapo Catholic Church to her residence for some private occasion.

Seeing as how no one is left who is not implicated in the scam, President Noynoy Aquino today announced that he has issued an executive order granting absolute pardon to all who have been involved in the pork barrel scandal. “This will allow our country to start fresh and rise from all this embarrassment and negativity,” Aquino said.  He added, “it is time for us to build a new society.”

Ironically,  ‘new society’ translates to  ‘bagong lipunan,” a mantra used by the late President Ferdinand Marcos soon  after he declared Martial Law that sealed his decades long dictatorial rule of this U.S. ally country.

 

Human Interest, International, Science and Environment, Travel, Uncategorized

SAN FRANCISCO TO STRAIGHTEN CROOKEDEST STREET

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Sam Francisco's Crookedest Street
Sam Francisco’s Crookedest Street

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – A visit to San Francisco is never complete without photo opportunities by the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, TransAmerica Building, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and of course, The Crookedest Street.

The famed Lombard Street section is famous for having a steep, one-block stretch that consists of eight tight hairpin turns. On either side of the street are homes that are probably among the top prized real estate in the City by the Bay.

Starting this summer, the city will close the street to weekend vehicular traffic in what it is calling an “experiment” to reduce congestion in the area and to provide the millionaire home owners a reprieve from the unending stream of vehicles navigating the brick pavement for the experience of a lifetime. (Apparently, many have not heard of Zigzag Road in the Philippines, leading up to the mountain city of Baguio).

Baguio City's Zigzag Road, Philippines
Baguio City’s Zigzag Road, Philippines

The Adobo Chronicles has obtained leaked documents from San Francisco’s City Hall that indicate the ‘experiment’ is actually a precursor to a more permanent plan to straighten the street to make room for homeowners to expand their existing real estate property. The city is poised to earn millions of dollars by selling part of the city street to the homeowners.

The documents also reveal an alternative plan – if the sale doesn’t work out – for the city to establish a toll gate at the top of the one-way street and charge each non-resident vehicle $10 to traverse the world’s crookedest street.

This plan could be up for a public vote as early as the next local elections.

Crooked or straight? Voters will decide. It could boil down to how straight and gay voters decide!

International, Politics, Technology, The Media, Travel

WORLD HOSPITALITY SURVEY: PHILIPPINES RANKS NUMBER ONE IN WARMEST WELCOME TO VISITORS

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imageManila, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) – Filipinos are known to be among the most, if not the most warm and hospitable people in the world. This trait has recently been confirmed by a worldwide survey conducted by the World Travel Association (WTA).

WTA surveyed one million frequent travelers from the Americas, Europe, Asia and other continents. The single- question survey asked “Which of the countries you have visited in the past year has extended to you the warmest welcome?”  The Philippines topped the list in the survey.

Survey respondents were in agreement that their warm welcome experience happened as soon as they landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Upon disembarking from the plane and entering the airport terminal, they said they were immediately greeted by entertainers singing hit songs like ‘Gangnam Style.’ The warm atmosphere was further enhanced by the non-functioning airconditioning units at NAIA, making the temperature inside the terminal feel almost twice the heat and humidity outside. The average temperature in Manila during the summer months is 34 degrees celsius or 94 degrees fahrenheit.

Philippine Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya said he was elated over this new honor bestowed upon the Philippines and “extremely proud of the work by airport authorities.” He commended NAIA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado for creating a warm atmosphere at the airport.

In the light of this new survey, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has decided to change its campaign meme of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to “The Philippines: Hot as an Oven!”  “A visit to the Philippines is a life-changing experience that starts right at NAIA,” DOT said.