Politicians attend PH Independence Day parade in NY

NEW YORK CITY – The Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York featured a full line-up of top officials from the Philippines.

Filipino dignitaries and politicians went to the 25th Annual Philippine Independence Day parade in New York City, reputed to be the largest outdoor gathering of Filipinos outside the Philippines.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of the Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in greater New York a very happy independence day," said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said while independence was achieved 117 years ago, many Filipinos are still fighting for a different kind of freedom.

"Maraming Pilipino made it big here, still dreaming, praying, working hard for the families sa Pilipinas. So true independence is yung kalayaan din sa kahirapan at yun din ang ginagawa ng mga kababayan natin dito," Cayetano said.

Organizers said the parade's theme is all about advocating for a better environment and climate change governance.

"Ito lang po ang nag-aalaga sa ating lahat--lupa, araw, hangin at tubig--at sa gitna ng lahat: tao," said Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection.

Even US Senator Chuck Schumer took the time to be among his Filipino constituents. Schumer is popular among Filipinos. He was the first among US officials to call for a temporary protected status for the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan.

"We love the Filipino community here in New York, very hardworking people, family-oriented people, nice people, part of the New York and the American dream, so we welcome them," he said.

Local Filipino elected officials also joined Sunday's 15 block Independence Day march on Madison Avenue.

"It's a great feeling. All the Filipinos all over the New York state came here to celebrate the Philippine Independence day," said Bergenfield councilman, Arvin Amatorio.

"So happy to be here, congratulations to everyone and happy Philippine Independence Day!" said Mahwah, New Jersey councilman Jonathan Wong.

Consul General Mario de Leon said the parade itself is a big testament to the success of Filipinos in the east coast.

"New York is the capital of the planet, so in other words, media is all looking at New York. So if the Filipinos are all here marching and you know this is a city that has a lot of marches, then the Filipino has arrived," he said.

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source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pilipinas, humingi ng tulong mula sa US sa pagpapalakas ng armed forces

Sa gitna ng alitan nito sa China, humingi ng tulong ang Pilipinas mula sa United States sa pagtatayo ng "minimum credible defense" para sa bansa.

Iminungkahi ito nina Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario at Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin kina US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta sa naganap na pagpupulong sa Washington nitong Lunes.

Pinatotohanan naman ni Del Rosario ang mga ibinalita ng ilang international news media na hindi pa rin mabuti ang estado ng armed forces ng Pilipinas.

"It sounds terribly painful for the Philippines, but more painful is the fact that this is true, and we only have ourselves to blame for it," inihayag ni Del Rosario sa pagpupulong.

"For the Philippines to be minimally relied upon as a US regional partner... it therefore behooves us to resort to all possible means to build at the very least a most minimal credible defense posture," ayon kay Del Rosario.

"On our own, we will do the best we can," dagdag niya.

"Developing a minimum credible defense posture may however be hastened mainly through an enhancement of the activities we do together with our singular treaty and through a positive consideration of increased assistance that we seek at this time as well," aniya.

Nagkasundo ang dalawang bansa, na magkasama ring sumailalim nitong buwan sa extensive war games, sa isang mutual defense treaty kung saan nangako ang United States na magbibigay tulong sa oras na haharap sa isang military aggression ang kanilang kaakyado.

"We are concurrently seeking a higher level of assistance from other international partners," dagdag ni Del Rosario.

Ipinahiwatig din ni Gazmin ang tensyong nagaganap sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China sa shoal sa West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) nang nanawagan siya ng tulong upang "intensify our mutual trust to uphold maritime security and the freedom of navigation."

"We should be able to work together to build the Philippines minimum credible defense posture, especially in upholding maritime security," ani Gazmin.

Nagsimula ang pinakahuling alitan ng China at Pilipinas noong Abril 10 matapos makahuli ang Philippine Navy ng walong Chinese fishing boats na umano'y nanghuhuli at iligal na kumuha ng endangered marine species sa Panatag Shoal.

Sa kabila nito, nabigong hulihin ng Philippine Navy ang mga mangingisda matapos sila harangan ng dalawang Chinese maritime vessels.

Pinaniniwalaan ng Pilipinas na bahagi ang shoal sa kanilang teritoryo sapagkat nasa loob ito ng 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone ng bansa, na kinikilala ng international law.

Nauna nang inihayag ng Pilipinas ang kanilang pagnanais na humiling ng arbitrasyon mula sa United Nations upang matapos ang alitan, ngunit tinanggihan ito ng China.

Sa press conference matapos ang usapan, inihayag ni Gazmin na humihingi ng tulong ang Pilipinas mula sa US upang makamtam ang diplomacy.

"The assistance we have sought is to help us bring the case to international legal bodies so that the approach is the legal rules-based approach in resolving the issue in the South China Sea [West Philippine Sea]," aniya.

Samantala, inihayag naman ni Clinton sa mga mamamahayag na ang pagpupulong ng apat na opisyal ay "a testament to our shared commitment to write a new chapter" sa kanilang samahan.

Inihayag din niya ang kanyang pagkabahala sa nagaganap na alitan sa Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) ngunit iginiit niyang walang kinakampihan ang Washington sa kapwa bansa.

"The United States supports a collaborative diplomatic process by all those involved for resolving the various disputes that they encounter," aniya. "We oppose the threat or use of force by any party to advance its claims." — Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com