Tag Archives: Philippines

International, Politics, Travel

PHILIPPINES LAYS CLAIM TO POLYNESIA

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Micronesian_Cultural_AreaThe Hague, Netherlands – The Philippine government has filed a formal petition with the United Nations, laying territorial claim to the countries in Polynesia.  The petition was submitted by the Philippines’ permanent representative to the U.N. Libran Cabactulan to the International Court of Justice located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

The petition came after the National Geographic published the results of a new research study on ancient chicken DNA which led to the conclusion that the Philippines could actually be the ancestral home of the Polynesians.

The researchers found that Polynesian chickens had their roots in the Philippines, making that region a candidate for the homeland of the mysterious Lapita people thought to be ancestral to Polynesians who transported the domesticated birds to the Pacific islands.

Ancient chicken DNA confirms Filipinos were the ancestors of Polynesians
Ancient chicken DNA confirms Filipinos were the ancestors of Polynesians

“We have identified genetic signatures of the original Polynesian chickens, and used these to track early movements and trading patterns across the Pacific,” said lead author Dr. Vicki Thomson of the Australian Center for Ancient DNA (ACAD). “We were also able to trace the origins of these lineages back into the Philippines, providing clues about the source of the original Polynesian chicken populations.”

Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino ecstatically briefed reporters about the petition, saying that the territorial claim could be the highlight of his presidency. He added that the Philippines will abandon its claim to the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, which are also being claimed by China.

Aquino said he would rather pursue the claim to Polynesia because it would mean the Philippines’ expansion to larger territories like Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand , and several other islands in the Pacific. “This would make the Philippines truly a world power,” Aquino said.

International, Religion

POPE FRANCIS DELEGATES PAPAL DUTIES IN ASIA TO PHILIPPINE CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE

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Philippine Cardinal Tagle
Philippine Cardinal Tagle

The Vatican, Italy – Pope Francis continues to send shockwaves to Catholics and others worldwide with his radical actions and pronouncements, many of which break away from centuries-old Vatican dogma and practices.

In his latest move, Pope Francis announced that he is delegating the papal duties to selected cardinals in various continents. His first appointment is  Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the young and charismatic bishop from the Philippines who was on the short list of candidates during Pope Francis’ election last year. Tagle will be the new pope for the Asian continent.  Pope Francis is expected to announce the other popes for Africa,  South America, North America, Antartica  and Australia in the next few weeks.  He is not appointing a pope for Europe since The Vatican is already in the European continent.

The Vatican said that this new arrangement will bring the papacy closer to the people around the world.

Soon after the announcement, The Boston Globe published this in-depth interview with Cardinal Tagle, calling him the Philippine Pope Francis.

See related article: “Pope Francis Scolds President Obama.”

International, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

THE CURIOUS CASE OF TWO FILIPINO WOMEN

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Arroyo, left, and Napoles
Arroyo, left, and Napoles

Manila, Philippines – It’s like a story out of Hollywood. Like “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button” starring Brad Pitt.  Only more serious. And more complicated.

The cast of characters: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former president of the Philippines and currently a member of the House of Representatives, accused of plunder and election fraud; and Janet Lim-Napoles, businesswoman, accused of masterminding the pork barrel scam that siphoned 10 Billion pesos of taxpayer money into fake nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the pockets of politicians.  Both had petitioned for bail and both were denied.

Arroyo is under hospital arrest in a government hospital in Manila while Napoles is detained in a high-security bungalow in Santa Rosa, Laguna, just south of Manila.

Jealousy ensues. Arroyo complains that she has been denied furlough for her birthday to be at her home in Pampanga while Napoles is living with special treatment in a bungalow. Napoles envies Arroyo because the latter is in a hospital. Napoles’s previous request to be in a hospital has been denied.

Enter Miriam Defensor-Santiago, feisty member of the Philippine Senate.  She demands that Napoles be billed 150,000 pesos per month as reimbursement of taxpayer money being spent for her  bungalow arrest and double security measures.

Enter the lawyers for Arroyo who demand that the government pay not only for her stay and food at the hospital but also all of her medical and treatment expenses.

Finally, enter Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto who proposes that both women become roommates at the bungalow in Santa Rosa. “Equal treatment for equal evil deeds,” Sotto says.

And who’s footing the bill? Sotto says that both crimes the women are charged with involve misuse and, presumably hoarding of stacks and stacks of money. Arroyo and Napoles should have no problem paying for their detention, even if it means for life.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of this curious case indeed.