solidarity

Newsletter date: 27 August 2013

Editorial Note:

'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media.
'WGAR News' gives priority to grassroots Aboriginal voices and grassroots voices in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples' rights.
'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources.
These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.
As such, 'WGAR News' does not endorse any particular political party, but simply includes information on political parties for the interest of readers.

Contents:

Akbayan (Citizens Action Party)

"Decreased sovereignty." This is how Akbayan Representative Walden Bello summed up the ongoing negotiations between the Philippine government and the United States to craft a framework for the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country.

According to the Akbayan stalwart, the Aquino government's decision to enter into negotiations for an increased rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country, by deploying aircraft, ships, supplies, and troops, is "injudicious."

MANILA, Philippines - Some 2,000 protesters from 30 groups led by the West Philippine Sea Coalition converged at the Chinese consular office in Makati City yesterday to mark the second “Global Day of Protest” against China.

Bearing placards printed with “Our Soil, Our Soil” and “China Respect Philippine Sovereignty,” the protesters began gathering in front of the Chinese consular office along Gil Puyat Avenue for the kick-off of the global day of protest at noon.

Deeper reforms needed to curb inequality

As President Benigno Simeon Aquino III moves past the midterm mark of his administration and begins his fourth year in office, deeper, broader and transformative reforms are needed if the people are to continue with their travel along the "straight path." While the past three years have certainly yielded victories and gains for the people, particularly in the government's anti-corruption efforts, it has also shown the limits of a good governance paradigm if unaccompanied by structural reforms addressing critical issues of poverty and inequality.