Maniolas

A riot police officer uses his shield to stop a protester during a rally against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in front of the U.S. embassy in Manila on Wednesday. The deal between the U.S. and Philippine governments would allow U.S. forces access to Philippine bases. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — About a hundred protesters staged a rally in front of the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday morning in time for the 24th anniversary of the Philippines’ rejection of the United States bases treaty. The protesters are from militant organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), led by former Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño, one of the petitioners against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US. The group said that in spite of the rejection of the RP-US Bases Treaty in 1991, there is “continuing US intervention” and a plan to “bring back US bases under the [EDCA].” They called on the SC to speed up the resolution of the petitions against the EDCA, noting that it has been more than a year since the petitions assailing the constitutionality of the agreement were filed. They also criticized government for the continuing presence of US forces in the Philippines, citing reports that an American soldier was among the fatalities in the bloody January 25 Mamasapano incident. The group said “the US funded and directed the Mamasapano operation and sacrificed the lives of Filipinos in the name of the US war on terror.” Forty-four PNP Special Action Force Read More …

Protesters rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to most of the West Philippine Sea including areas claimed by the Philippines. The protest comes as a UN tribunal in the Hague begins a hearing the Philippines’ claim on the disputed Spratly Islands.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is verifying reports that China is building a third airstrip over contested territory in the South China Sea. The DFA is verifying information from US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies that China is set to build a 3,000-meter airstrip at the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which is among the disputed areas. The structure is big enough to accommodate most of China’s military aircraft, the US think tank said, adding that it is similar to structures China has been constructing in other contested territories Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef and at Zamora (Subi) Reef. A Reuters report quoted Greg Poling, CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative director, as saying that the work at Panganiban Reef “more likely than not indicates preparations for a runway” there. For his part, however, Armed Forces Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said it is unlikely that China might be building a third airstrip as the reef’s shape is “irregular” and slightly “oblongated.” The Western Mindanao Command said they continue to monitor reclamation activities in the three reefs. China’s dredging equipment is also there in the area, it said. (MNS)

Senator Grace Poe (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Allies of the Aquino administration are breaking away from Mar Roxas to join forces with the Makabayan bloc and back the looming presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe. Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno, National Unity Party (NUP) president, confirmed that his party is in talks with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the country’s 2nd largest party, the Nacionalista Party and the Makabayan bloc to back Poe’s presidential bid. “The leaderships of NUP, NP, NPC and Makabayan have met several times amongst ourselves and once with Senator Grace Poe,” Puno said. ”NUP is still in the process of vetting the presidential candidates and have not yet made a party stand. Senator Grace knows that this is the status with NUP. That said, Congressman (Ronaldo) Zamora was not inaccurate in saying ‘she will run under a political coalition; she will remain independent’ and I can confirm that we met with Senator Grace Poe last night.” NPC Spokesperson Mark Enverga, in a separate statement, said, “We are exploring all possibilities. Unfortunately, NPC remains non-committal at this point. The party is still in the process of choosing the presidentiable to support for 2016.” The Makabayan bloc also confirmed talks with NPC, NP, and NUP are ongoing regarding the formation of the alliance. ”Ipoproseso pa namin sa darating na Sept. 30 sa Makabayan Convention ang magiging pinal na pasya sa susuportahan naming presidential at vice presidential candidate,” the bloc said. Zamora, in a phone interview, said, “Nothing is Read More …

UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Director Bobby T. Rimas (Photo image courtesy of Pilipino Alumni Association of UCLA Facebook Page) The UCLA Scholarship Office has confirmed that the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Endowment, which supports the UCLA Pilipino Alumni / Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program, surpassed the $100,000 mark, a representative from the scholarship office said. In response, UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Director Bobby T. Rimas said “This is a strong indication of our commitment to supporting opportunities for deserving students to receive a world-class education at UCLA and the strength of our alumni network.  Our collective fundraising efforts paid off.  I would like to thank everyone who supported this renewed scholarship campaign.  I would especially like to thank Mr. Mark Bautista, a UCLA Pilipino Alumni member who has done great work assisting me with spearheading this campaign to take the UCLA Pilipino Endowment to the $100,000 mark and beyond.  While there is still much work ahead of us, in continuing to increase our endowment, we can take a moment and celebrate this achievement. There will be a celebratory event in October for achieving this milestone for the UCLA Pilipino Alumni family.” In November 2014, the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association Board of Directors decided to rename its scholarship program to the UCLA Pilipino Alumni / Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program.  Ms. Lovell Sevilla, who served as the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Director from 1995 through 2000, was instrumental in establishing the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Endowment.  In 2010, she was awarded the UCLA Chancellor’s Excellence in Read More …

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