Tag Archives: Philippines

Philippine Politics: The New And Improved Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

April 23, 2016 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Will the real Rodrigo Duterte please step forward?

Just like that famous commercial for a soap detergent, there is a new and improved presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte — prim and proper, no profanities and an image of a rebel standing up against the elite and the biased media.

In a speech at his alma mater, the Lyceum of the Philippines, where he did not utter a single profanity, Duterte said he is actually taking “the posture of a radical” when speaking in a brutally frank manner. This is to challenge the ruling class and the public officials who seem to only care for the elite.

“I am testing the elite in this country because, historically, we are fundamentally a feudal country,” he said. “I am testing the waters of radicalism. (I act) as if I am irreverent, (but) it’s not really true. I pray to God always.

Duterte also took a swipe at Manila-based media, saying he does not have such a bad mouth in reality. He said he just uses foul language because he is fed up with journalists who twist his statements. “In this country, (the ruling class) wants everything to be prim and proper. They control the media, they control television and all, and they want to do governance in accordance with their interest. That’s how it is,” he said.

So, as an estimated 54 Million Filipinos troop to the voting booth on May 9th, they will be choosing between two Duterte’s: the foul-mouthed mayor and the God-fearing, prim and proper candidate for president.

Many will probably vote for both.

Stay tuned for The Adobo Chronicles’ extensive coverage of the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, brought to you by the new and improved Tide detergent.

Government, Politics

IDIOTORIAL: Which Combination Will Emerge In The May 9 Philippine Elections?

April 22, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

IDIOTORIAL: Take It Or Leave it

April 22, 2016

The countdown to the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections has begun: T minus 15 days! Assuming the absence of poll irregularities, it is the Filipino voters that would eventually decide who is going to be their next president and vice president.

The beauty (or stupidity, depending on your perspective) of Philippine election laws is that the voter is not obligated to stick to one and the same party when choosing the president and VP. One can vote for the presidential candidate of one party and the VP candidate of another. It’s mix and match. Like the Filipino halo-halo. Or pinakbet.

From all indications — other than the dreamworks of the Yellow party — the presidential race is down to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Grace Poe. Poll after poll has attested to that.

For VP, it is a contest between Leni Robredo and Bongbong Marcos.

The big question now is, which combination will end up victorious?

If opposites attract, then we predict a Duterte-Robredo win, or a Poe-Marcos tandem.

Both Duterte and Robredo pretty much lack the political experience — at least on a national level. Governing a city is very different from governing an entire country; and being the widow of a well-loved government official does not make one qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Similarly, experience separates Poe and Marcos. The former is relatively new to politics while the latter has been engaged in it for decades — directly or indirectly (and you know what we mean).

If Robredo becomes Duterte’s VP, what role will she play in the administration? One is an autocrat, the other a democrat. One’s vulgar, the other very prim and proper. And can Robredo stand up to the dictatorial ways of Duterte? Will she have the backing of the Filipino people should a clash occur between her and the mayor? Will she have the stamina to stay on, or will she eventually say, “that’s it, I give up?”

If Marcos becomes Poe’s VP, will he try to assert his ways? Will he use his political legacy from his father to try to scheme to amass greater power as VP, or eventually, as president? On the other hand, will Poe’s calm and charm overcome Marcos?

Well, the decision lies in the hands of the Filipino voters, whether they vote wisely, or blindly.

As for The Adobo Chronicles, we’re rooting for a different combination: Poe-Robredo.

We’ve had women presidents before and that didn’t go quite as well. But perhaps a woman tandem for president AND vice president will do the trick? After all, while the Philippines has largely been male-dominated in the halls of government, it has also historically been a very matriarchal society — where the woman has the last say in most every household. We’ve heard of the phrase, “Under the saya” so many times before (pertaining to husbands being subservient to their wives).

So, dear readers, which one is your “dream team?”

On May 9, 2016, may the best man win. Or the best women!

–The Adobo Chronicles

International, Travel

Top Ten Things You Can Do To Avoid Being Victimized By Laglag Bala At Manila’s NAIA Airport

April 22, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – You would hope that the extortion sheme ‘Laglag Bala’ at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is a thing of the past. Unfortunately, more incidents where unsuspecting passengers are questioned and detained for discovery of live bullets in their luggage — “planted” by scheming airport personnel — have surfaced.

In the interest of public service, The Adobo Chronicles is issuing these Ten Guidelines that local and international travelers passing through NAIA can consider in order to avoid being victimized by the extortion scheme. You’re welcome!

1. Make sure your check-in luggage is locked. If traveling to the U.S., choose a lock or luggage that is TSA-approved (which means the TSA can still open it for inspection using a master key).
2. If at all possible, don’t travel with a carry-on bag.
3. If you absolutely have to have a carry-on bag, choose one that does not have zippers and outside pockets.
4. If your carry-on bag is singled out for manual inspection, demand that YOU open the bag yourself.
5. If airport personnel insist that THEY open your bag, be ready to take a video of the proceedings with your smart phone.
6. Place a business card of your attorney on your luggage tag. Make sure the card uses BOLD fonts, especially the word “ATTORNEY.”
7. Avoid using designer carry-on bags. They invite interest among inspectors. Instead, use a bayong or some other cheap bags, perhaps even a re-usable grocery bag from Safeway.
8. Place one of the following inside your carry-on bag: durian, bagoong, daing na bangus, or kimchee. Any of these items will surely repel the inspector with the foul smell, eventually choosing not to inspect your bag.
9. Place an activated mouse-trap inside your carry-on bag. That will give the scheming inspector a painful lesson.
10. If all else fails, just enjoy the experience. Be thankful for an extended stay in the Philippines, with free board and lodging — inside the prison cell.