Tag Archives: Philippines

Business, Economy, Government, International, Tourism, Travel

APEC ECONOMIC MEETING IN MANILA WILL HURT PHILIPPINE ECONOMY

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Ten member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will be in attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Manila on November 18 to 19.

At least 1,800 domestic and international flights will be affected by the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway as part of preparations for the arrival and departure of APEC leaders in Manila, including US President Barack Obama, for the summit.

NAIA terminals will be used exclusively for the heads of state attending the APEC meeting.

No other airport in the world closes its runways or terminals during international meetings.  Only in the Philippines.

As a result of the airport closure, the Philippines’ own Economic Development Authority and Department of Tourism have said that the country will lose millions of dollars because of cancellations of business meetings and tourism trips to the Philippines.

Airlines and hotels have reported that customers have cancelled their reservations as a result of the APEC meeting.  Other local businesses stand to lose potential revenue as well.

Additionally, the government will be suspending school classes as well as work in both the private and public sectors for four days during the meeting. Metro Manila will come to a standstill, with lots of productivity lost.

Economic experts find it ironic that an international economic meeting will wreak havoc on the economy of a host country.

International, Media, Tourism, Travel

BROADCAST JOURNALIST KORINA SANCHEZ PROUD OF ‘LAGLAG BALA’ SCHEME AT MANILA’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Sanchez
Sanchez

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, wife of presidential candidate Mar Roxas, says she is very proud about the laglag bala scheme that has tainted not only the reputation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), but that of Philippine tourism as a whole.

The scheme involves the arrest of airline passengers allegedly found to be keeping bullets in their luggage. It is suspected that the bullets are “planted” by airport personnel as a way of extorting money from unsuspecting passengers.

In a statement yesterday, Sanchez even suggested to the international magazine National Geographic to feature the scheme as well as NAIA in one of its future editions. “This way, the world can truly appreciate the heroic efforts of the Philippine government to ensure the utmost security of passengers flying into and out of Manila.  She went as far as to suggest a title for the feature article on NAIA: “World’s Best Bullet-Detecting Airport.”

Sanchez  is no stranger to controversial on-air and off-air comments.  She once clashed with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, accusing him of not knowing what he as talking about in his live coverage of the devastation brought about by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

She also commented in a live broadcast that she hoped an impending typhoon  (Ruby) about to hit the the Philippines would veer towards Japan instead.

If her husband is elected president, Sanchez will surely be a First Lady with a lot to say.

Government, Travel

PRESIDENT AQUINO CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC ON EDSA, FIRES TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Noynoy Aquino today fired his Transportation Secretary, Joseph Emilio Abaya, after the Philippine president experienced first hand being caught in a traffic jam on EDSA, Metro Manila’s main and busiest thoroughfare.

“Last night, I passed through EDSA and I really felt the traffic that our citizenry go through every single day and night,” Aquino said.

A couple of months ago, Abaya angered Filipinos with his insensitive remarks that Metro Manila’s traffic, while really bad,  “is not fatal.”

In addition to Abaya, Aquino’s limousine driver was also fired for subjecting the president to the nightmarish EDSA traffic.  “He could have taken the side streets and used “wang-wang,” the presidential spokesman said.  “Wang-wang is a colloquial term for “siren.”

Because of the traffic delay, Aquino reportedly missed his scheduled mahjong session with his sister, Kris and her friend and co-anchor Boy Abunda.