‘US driving wedge between China, PH’

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Sunday, March 12 said it sees "no problem" with the Philippines over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but accused the United States of using the issue to drive a wedge between Manila and Beijing.

Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the U.S. Carlson had said U.S.-Philippine joint patrols in the waterways are important to ensure that it remains free and open to international navigation.

The U.S. has been sending its warships on "freedom of navigation" sorties in the South China Sea, which China claims is part of its territory.

The embassy pointed out that the U.S. military

The

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta announced he was suing the City of Huntington Beach for violating state laws that require it to approve more affordable housing and 13,000 new homes over the next eight years.

Along with Governor Gavin Newsom and California Dept. of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez, Bonta on Thursday, March 9 said he filed the lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court and asked a judge to impose a fine and force the city to comply with state law.

The state has told Huntington Beach to follow through with a state-approved housing plan to build 13,368 new homes over the next eight years, particularly to increase home availability and accessibility to low-

The embassy issued the statement in reaction to the remarks of U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson in a television interview on the South China Sea dispute and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation

"On the South China Sea issue, there is 'no problem' of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," the embassy said.

"When talking about free and open waterways, what the U.S. has in its mind is actually the 'freedom of rampage' of its warships in the South China Sea," it said.

California sues Huntington Beach for violating state housing laws Seeking employment

"has been coming all the way from the other side of the Pacific to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and ganging up with its allies from other parts of the world to flex muscle in the South China Sea."

"By doing these, the U.S. has not only heightened tension, driven a wedge between China and the Philippines, but also has disturbed and upset the u PAGE 2

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

SEEKING employment in the United States is now easier and faster for Filipino registered nurses and caregivers.

Migration consultant Manny Geslani said processing of immigrant visa for registered nurses and caregivers now takes less than a year.

“Gone are the long and tedious wait for twothree years during the pre-pandemic years which discouraged some nurses from applying for work in the USA,” Geslani disclosed over the weekend.

Quoting prominent Fil-American immigration lawyer Salvador Tuy, Geslani said that Filipino nurses and caregivers can depart faster for the U.S. “as long as the required documents are submitted electronically to the hospital or caregiving facility who had requested for the immigrant visa for her.”

According to Tuy, the pathway for Filipino nurses to

A FILIPINO American woman was killed in front of her two children by her partner in Daly City, California on Monday, March 6. Frances Kendra Lucero, 27, was shot and killed by her partner, Romier Narag, also 27, in front of her two children, aged 3 and 4.

Police said the two had argued on their way home from a family dinner. Narag allegedly shot Lucero with a 9 millimeter handgun four times as she tried to run to their house.

Narag has been charged with murder and child endangerment and was booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

The two children are now in the care of Lucero’s family as they undergo social work evaluation, A GoFundMe page has been set up for Frances Lucero. n