Posted on 09/15/2013 10:23:24 PM PDT by TexGrill
LONG BEACH, California - President Obama is going to make a stop to the Philippines in October, and Filipino American community leaders are proud of the occasion.
"I was excited when I heard the news last night that Obama will finally go to the Philippines. Because there are lots of issues, national issues that America could assist and support," said Susan Dilkes of the Filipino American Service Group Inc.
The US president's visit comes shortly after US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's visit. Obama's visit comes as the country is dealing with several issues including public corruption, natural disasters, violence in Zamboanga, and tensions in the West Philippine Sea with China.
Filipinos in Los Angeles, where a lot of the slagged ill-gotten funds is believe to have been spent, hope Obama can address the pork barrel issue.
"Obama should push that President Aquino will look into Congress about the pork barrel scam since this is an issue that affects all Filipinos globally. Obama is the leader and should talk to President Aquino to make it a clean government," Dilkes said.
"If the US likes to say they oppose human rights then they should say something about that and call investigation into the pork barrel," Terrie Cervas of Gabriela said.
For the past few months, Filipino activists have been calling for the abolition of the pork barrel system, including President Aquino's own discretionary funds.
They fear Aquino may use Obama's visit to his advantage.
(Excerpt) Read more at abs-cbnnews.com ...
He will make sure that money flows to the MILF rebels and other militant Muslim organizations ,, and maybe restrict our special forces that are “assisting” in eradication efforts.
Don’t forget he will then claim the Philippines’ President is worse than Assad and will impose a red line on him. But if Aquino is smart he’ll ask the Chinese and Russians for help.
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