Tag Archives: Philippines

Human Interest, Religion

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT BELIEVES IN WITCHCRAFT; PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT BELIEVES IN WITCH-HUNT

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Two presidents: Indonesia, left and Philippines, right
Two presidents: Indonesia, left and Philippines, right

Manila, Philippines –  Indonesia’s president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, shocked  his Muslim nation this week by revealing that he believes in witchcraft – something that is prohibited in Islam. The revelation came in the form of Yudhoyono’s 900-page  memoir titled “Selalu Ada Pilihan” (There is Always a Choice).

Not to be outdone (and which Filipino would be?), Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino today announced that he  believes in witch-hunt. His announcement came during a regular press conference held for members of the Malacañang (the equivalent of The U.S. White House) press corps.

Aquino’s revelation came as no surprise to his political enemies who have long accused him of engaging in witch-hunt against them – “them” meaning the Marcoses, the Macapagal-Arroyos, the Romualdezes, and the senators, representatives, governors and mayors who don’t belong to his Liberal Party.

“There is nothing in the Philippine Constitution that prohibits witch-hunt,” Aquino said, adding that “in fact, the word is never mentioned in the fundamental law of the land.”

(Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda contributed to this report.)

Business, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

PHILIPPINE TAXWOMAN GOES AFTER THE BIG FISH: MANNY PACQUIAO AND ROSE FOSTANES

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L-R: Pacquiao, Fostanes, Henares
L-R: Pacquiao, Fostanes, Henares

Manila, Philippines – Got money? Watch out,  Kim Henares will go after you.

Henares is the commissioner of the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the counterpart of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  She has gained the reputation of going after the big fish – Filipinos like world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and newly-crowned X Factor Israel winner Rose Fostanes. Henares wants a chunk of their earnings abroad.

Analysts say that Henares’ actions are a desperate attempt to  save her tax agency from bankruptcy. The BIR, which many Filipinos consider among the most corrupt agencies, continues to face declining revenues due to  widespread tax evasion schemes especially among the country’s richest tycoons.

However, The Adobo Chronicles learned that Pacquiao and Fostanes are joining hands to challenge Henares in court and prevent her from taxing their foreign earnings. In papers to be filed in court  today, Pacquiao and Fostanes claim that the BIR has no authority to collect taxes from their prize money earned in the U.S.  and Israel, respectively.

“That is why the agency is called Bureau of INTERNAL Revenue,” lawyers said, so earnings outside the Philippines should be off limits to  the tax agency.”

Makes perfect sense.

Politics, Sports

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS WILL MAKE IT UP TO FILIPINOS AT THE SUPERBOWL

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imageSeattle, Washington – NFC Champions Seattle Seahawks have a lot of making up to do, and it’s not with the San Francisco 49ers, but with Filipinos.

In their season game against the Minnesota  Vikings late last year, the Seahawks attempted to show the world their humanitarian concern by having Doug Baldwin, who is part Filipino, carry the Philippine flag as the team entered the stadium. It was a show of solidarity with the Filipino people following Typhoon Haiyan which killed thousands and left thousands more injured and homeless.  There was one problem: Baldwin carried the Philippine flag upside down with the red stripe on top. The red stripe on top, instead of the blue, meant that the Philippines was at war which, clearly, it was not.

Now that the Seahawks are in the Superbowl, they announced that they will reprise their criticized entrance when they enter the New York stadium. This time, Baldwin will carry the Philippine flag the correct way, with the blue stripe on top.

One hundred million Filipinos will be watching. Go Seahawks!