Maniolas

Some military officers have expressed concern over President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats to cut ties with the United States but it was “nowhere near enough to launch a coup,” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Wednesday. While no one has approached him “physically,” Trillanes said he has been getting word about the “sentiments” of some military officers and men. “But let just say that by and large, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is very supportive of the President and they are loyal to the chain of command so there are no factions within the armed forces,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel. Asked what those sentiments were, the senator said: “It can’t be generalized. I believe some are concerned about the direction the President is going particularly ending ties with the US armed forces because these ties go way back and it’s not easy to do that.” Asked again if the sentiments were coming from the soldiers, Trillanes said: “No. Some officers randomly expressing concerns, but it’s nowhere near enough to launch a coup. “From what I’m getting is nowhere near that but again by and large, soldiers, the rank and file, enlisted personnel, junior officers are happy with the apparent concern of the President when he visited their camps and he promised them to double their salaries so who would not agree with that? So by and large the morale is very high,” said the senator, who led a failed mutiny against then President Read More …

EMBASSY RALLY Policemen block protesters trying to get near the US Embassy during a rally against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and the Philippines. AP US AND Philippine Marine commanders stressed the value of joint training as American and Filipino forces opened combat exercises under some uncertainty on Tuesday, days after President Duterte said the drills would be the last in his six-year term. Marine commanders from both sides said at the opening of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 33), involving 1,400 American and 500 Filipino military personnel, the drills were aimed at improving readiness by the two countries to respond to a range of crises while deepening their historic ties. Last week, Mr. Duterte, angered by US criticism of his brutal war on drugs, said Phiblex would be the last war games during his term, which started on June 30. Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said, however, that the decision was not final, sparking questions as to whether other annual US-Philippine military exercises would proceed as planned. US Embassy officials said Manila had not formally notified Washington of any move to scrap other planned drills. Such a move by Manila would impede Washington’s plans to expand the footprint of US forces in Southeast Asia to counter an increasingly aggressive China. War games between US and Philippine forces are held every year under the Visiting Forces Agreement, an offshoot of the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by the two countries in 1951. Security accord Two years ago, Read More …

 Mary Blanco               Pia Wurtzbach          Ruben & Janet Nepales NEW YORK CITY – In what is the start of a nationwide search for outstanding Filipino Americans, The Outstanding Filipino Americans (TOFA) Awards this year is throwing its spotlight beyond the New York tri-state area. For the Sixth Annual TOFA Awards, six outstanding Fil-Ams from Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles and Washington, DC will join New York-based honorees on stage at the Carnegie Hall on Saturday, Oct. 8. “Starting with the Sixth Annual TOFA Awards, our success stories will come from more places nationwide, any place where we find the Filipino spirit shining through,” said Elton Lugay, TOFA founder and executive producer. “We expect to be pleasantly surprised by the discoveries that await us in the years to come.” Atty. Billy Dec, the only Fil-Am commissioner appointed to the White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, is TOFA’s honoree for Business and Entrepreneurship. Aside from being an Emmy Award-winning TV personality, lawyer and restaurateur, he is the CEO/founder of Rockit Ranch Productions and is involved in various non-profit organizations in Chicago.    Linda de los Reyes       Lito Gajilan          Josh Sembrano          Dr. Fred Andes Florida-based Brendan Flores, national chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), takes the Community Service and Advocacy award for his longstanding advocacy especially of diversity initiatives. From Washington, DC, Marie Blanco, vice-chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FILVETREP), is the Public Service and Politics honoree for serving the veterans’ cause for more Read More …

Nestor “Ness” Ocampo, 1941-2016 DALY CITY, California — Longtime broadcaster Nestor “Ness” Ocampo passed away Sunday, Oct. 2 after a brief illness. Ocampo launched his broadcasting career in the US in 1971 with Pilipinas Kong Mahal on KBRG. He brought Fil-Am radio to Northern California, Hawaii and Las Vegas, launching the FilAm Radio Network. Ocampo also launched the first Ilocano radio station in Maui in 1994. The Ness Ocampo Show & Fil-Ams Now, Fil-Ams Ngayon aired its last 12 consecutive years on KVTO 1400 AM. Ocampo also served as the Philippine American Press Club USA’s resident radio announcer. Born on January 31, 1941in the Philippines, Ocampo began his radio career with Manila Bulletin’s DZBU in 1962. He was also known for radio voices “Wakadoo” and “Mang Abo.” He was the only Manila DJ who broadcast in three different voices. Ocampo ended every radio broadcast with LITA “love is the answer”! He is survived by his wife, Lita, children Caroline and Christine, grandsons Hendrix and Nessy, sons-in-law, Vic and Armstong, and younger brothers, Jun and Amada. Latest Gican, Altas still blessed despite Final 4 exit More Google Pixel phone leaks surface from Verizon CHR slams Gordon for suspension of Senate inquiry No bail for Mark Anthony Fernandez in marijuana bust Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER View Comments For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.