Talks on increased US military presence to abide by VFA

 News
Aug 112013
 
Talks on increased US military presence to abide by VFA

Malacañang on Sunday reassured the public the talks between the Philippines and the United States on an agreement that will allow “increased rotational presence” of US military in the country will not violate Philippine laws. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the negotiations, which are reportedly set to start on Monday, will be under the framework of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. “My understanding is that everything will be under the framework of the VFA. So ang modalities na lang on how to implement the rotational presence ang kanilang pag-uusapan,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. But she also appealed to the public not to make further speculations, and wait for the proper announcements. “(L)et’s wait for more information as they figure out the modalities on how to implement it,” she said. The talks come amid tension over territorial disputes between the Philippines and China over parts of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). An earlier report said the Departments of National Defense and Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives to inform them of the upcoming negotiations on the terms of the increased US military presence. In their letter, they said the Philippines “will shortly enter into consultations and negotiations with the United States on a possible framework agreement that would implement our agreed policy of increased rotational presence.” They also said that “(i)n both diplomacy and national defense, our strategic relationship with the United States remains crucial.” — Read More …

Is the US immigration reform bill dead?

 News
Aug 102013
 
Is the US immigration reform bill dead?

IMFO By Lourdes Santos TancincoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 11:45 pm | Saturday, August 10th, 2013 It is hard to say exactly how many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States are Filipinos.  Perhaps we will never know— not until a legalization law is enacted. There are many factors that justify the passage of an immigration reform. A recent poll shows that 74 percent of registered voters favor legalization and eventual US citizenship for undocumented migrants. The Congressional Budget Office said immigration reform, as designed in Senate Bill No. 744, will grow the United States economy, and reduce the federal deficit by $158 billion over the next 10 years and $685 billion more over the following decade. The members of the US House of Representatives will go on  summer recess this month of August. While the Senate passed their version of the comprehensive immigration reform bill last June, many wonder whether the bill was dead on arrival at the House of Representatives. A companion bill to SB 744 has yet to be introduced.   Immigrants in limbo “Lucia” is one of the undocumented Filipinos who, most probably, will benefit from a legalization program. She arrived in the United States when she was 8 years old and was educated in US schools. Lucia now works as a special education teacher at her local district school. She has been teaching children with disabilities. Lucia has no legal documents. After several years working without proper legal documents, Lucia applied for an Read More …

Stocks fall anew on dismal US jobs data

 Economy
Aug 052013
 
Stocks fall anew on dismal US jobs data

MANILA, Philippines – Stocks declined for the second straight session yesterday as negative sentiment in the US caused by lower-than-expected hiring data spilled over to the local bourse. The Philippine Stock Exchange index fell 0.37 percent or 24.22 points to 6,509.73, closing at its intraday low in a lethargic session. The broader All Shares index declined 0.38 percent or 15.09 points to 3,967.04. “A shortfall in new hires in the US against expectations sent Asian investors rushing to the exits, pulling the regional benchmark and majors lower as the week’s trading opened,” said Justino Calaycay Jr., an analyst at Accord Capital Equities Corp. Late last week, the US Labor Department reported that 162,000 jobs were created in July, below the market’s expectation of 185,000 jobs. The unemployment rate, however, slipped to 7.4 percent, its lowest since December 2008. “Positive numbers, which generally should impart a positive spin to trades, particularly from the employment and inflation numbers, have generally elicited negative reactions at it draws the US Federal Reserve closer to justifying a cut to the bond purchase program,” Calaycay said. Around Asia, shares were mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 losing 1.44 percent or 208.12 points to 14,258.04, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index inched up 0.14 percent or 31.04 points to 22,222.01. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Locally, all counters, save for mining and oil that rose 0.44 percent or 63.23 points to 14,395.28, were in the red. The decliners were led by holding firms that Read More …

Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

 News
Aug 052013
 
Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

By Vivian Zalvidea AraulloINQUIRER.net US Bureau 2:30 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Newly named Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg PHOTO FROM STATE.GOV SAN FRANCISCO—Filipino American leaders are calling on newly appointed US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg to push for stronger military relations between the United States and the Philippines. They agreed that the dispute between the Philippines and China over territory and maritime lanes in the East and South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) should be the new ambassador’s top concern. “The United States is already ‘pivoting’ towards Asia because of the prominent and aggressive role China has been playing in the past 10 years,” said Loida Nicolas-Lewis, chair of the US Pinoys for Good Government.  “Because of the strategic position of the Philippines in South East Asia, it is in the interest of the United States to be more present in our area.” The disputed territories are believed to be rich in oil and mineral deposits. Claimant countries Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines have complained about various incidents and “acts of aggression” allegedly initiated by China that threaten and encroach upon its stakes in the disputed areas. Jay Gonzalez, professor of Asian studies and international politics at the University of San Francisco believes the US should strengthen its military cooperation with and increase military aid to the Philippines. “American military exercises are very critical, because of the US’ capacity to invite more participants [other countries],” said Gonzalez. “If the US doesn’t conduct these multicountry exercises Read More …

PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

 News
Aug 042013
 
PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

The Philippine government has intensified intelligence-gathering and target-hardening efforts against terrorism in the wake of a new worldwide alert issued by the US over possible attacks by the al Qaeda terror network. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday said the National Security Adviser has told the Palace that such efforts are focused on the targets of these alerts. “We take into consideration the alert that has been issued. According to the National Security Adviser, we are intensifying our intelligence-gathering to address the issues raised in the alert,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Asked if the Philippines has adopted the proper security measures, she said, “Opo, opo, certainly (Yes, yes, certainly).” However, Valte declined to comment for now on questions on whether a bombing that killed at least eight people in Cagayan de Oro City last July 26 was related to the US worldwide alert. She also noted the US alert indicates the threat is “directed to western targets.” “I would not comment on that considering the investigation is still ongoing,” she said. Valte would also not give details of the security measures. “We cannot divulge security measures, it’s like telling those who want to do harm, these are the things you should go against,” she said. On August 2, the US State Department issued a travel alert warning about the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. It said its current information Read More …

PHL senators: No need to follow US lead in passing resolution vs. China

 News
Aug 022013
 
PHL senators: No need to follow US lead in passing resolution vs. China

The United States Senate may have done it, but at least two Philippine senators do not see the need to pass a resolution expressing concern about China’s actions in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who held backchannel talks with Chinese officials last year, said passing a resolution similar to the one approved by the US Senate’s foreign relations committee is “unnecessary” because the matter has already been brought to a United Nations (UN) arbitration tribunal. “It [A resolution] will be redundant since our President, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, have already articulated our foreign policy on the matter,” Trillanes, who chairs the Senate national defense committee, said in a text message. The US Senate passed on Monday a resolution listing several worrying Chinese behavior, including Beijing’s move to issue an official map defining the contested West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as within its national border. On Friday, China opposed the passing of the US Senate resolution, and announced that it has filed a formal complaint against the US for the action of its legislature. ‘No difference’ Last January, the Philippines brought its territorial dispute with China before the UN tribunal, asking Beijing “to desist from unlawful activities that violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China is asserting its historial claim on the entire West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Philippines, however, is claiming its ownership Read More …

Newly acquired warship arrives in PH amid sea row

 News
Aug 022013
 
Newly acquired warship arrives in PH amid sea row

1:14 pm | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is the second Hamilton-class cutter that was acquired by the Philippine Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program of the United States. The ship was named after Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a World War II hero who commanded the Philippine Offshore Patrol’s Q-Boat Q-112 Abra which shot down three Japanese aircraft. US EMBASSY PHOTO RELEASE MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ second warship acquired from the US, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, was welcomed by local fishing vessels off Aurora as it entered the Philippine waters early Friday. “After almost two months of long journey from South Carolina, we can now confidently say that she BRP Alcaraz is finally home,” the Philippine Navy in its official blog announced. The arrival of the second Hamilton-class came amid a tense territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The warship, which sailed in the Pacific Ocean from South Carolina for almost two months, was welcomed through a “sail past.” It was carrying 88 officers and crew. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz left the US last June 10. The Philippines acquired from the US Coast Guard its first Hamilton cutter in  May 2011 and named it BRP Gregorio del Pilar. The BRP Alcaraz is expected to anchor in Subic Bay on Sunday. A formal welcome ceremony  will be held at Alava Wharf at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales on Tuesday. “Tomorrow is a special day for them. They Read More …

Asian markets gain on upbeat US economic data

 Economy
Aug 012013
 
Asian markets gain on upbeat US economic data

HONG KONG — Asian stocks advanced Friday after a report that U.S. manufacturing activity jumped last month, raising hopes of a rebound in industrial production that would bolster growth in the world’s biggest economy. Investors were pleased after the Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers’ index rose much higher than expected in July. They were also optimistic ahead of key U.S. data releases expected later Friday that they hoped would add further evidence of a strengthening U.S. recovery. “Holy smokes,” economists at Singapore’s DBS Bank wrote in a research note. They noted that the report comes after other recent upbeat U.S. data, including second-quarter growth that was better than expected and a surge in durable goods orders. “Payrolls and the unemployment rate are on tap today. If these green shoots — or rocket ships in the case of the ISM — spill over to the labor market, there’s going to be a party at the Fed. And on Pennsylvania Avenue. Wall Street.” Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 1.4 percent to 14,203.02. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.5 percent to 22,201.85 while in mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.8 percent to 2,046.59. South Korea’s Kospi was up 0.4 percent to 1,928.76 and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.9 percent to 5,105.60. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 On Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.8 percent to close at 15,628.02. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index gained 1.3 percent to 1,706.87 while the Nasdaq composite Read More …

New US envoy acceptable to PH, says Del Rosario

 News
Aug 012013
 
New US envoy acceptable to PH, says Del Rosario

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:55 am | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto del Rosario. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has accepted US President Barack Obama’s nomination of the next ambassador to Manila pending the latter’s confirmation in the US Congress, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Thursday. This developed as the nomination of Assistant Secretary Philip Goldberg, current head of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), has raised concerns among militant groups given his expulsion from Bolivia, his last overseas assignment. “We’ve already issued the agreement and I think he will be going through the US Senate. So we’re hopeful … we think that he will be a very good ambassador,” Del Rosario said, referencing to the document that incoming chiefs of mission present to their host countries as a diplomatic courtesy. He said he had not met Goldberg, a career diplomat, not even during his stint as Philippine ambassador to the United States. Asked about concerns about the envoy’s record in Bolivia, Del Rosario replied: “I don’t want to comment on that because I don’t know the circumstances.” Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is wary of Goldberg’s nomination, saying it “may signal intensified US intervention in PH affairs as the US moves more troops and ships toward Asia under its strategic pivot.” Goldberg was booted out of La Paz in 2008, two years into his term as US ambassador, after Bolivian President Evo Morales, a known Read More …

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