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Home/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ September 10, 1991, Seattle Times / Chicago Tribune, Aquino Looks To 'People's Power' In Effort To Save U.S. Bases, by Uli Schmetzer,

September 10, 1991, Seattle Times / Chicago Tribune, Aquino Looks To 'People's Power' In Effort To Save U.S. Bases, by Uli Schmetzer,

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September 10, 1991, Seattle Times / Chicago Tribune, Aquino Looks To 'People's Power' In Effort To Save U.S. Bases, by Uli Schmetzer, 

MANILA, Philippines - President Corazon Aquino yesterday said she planned to call for a referendum to challenge an expected Philippine Senate defeat of an agreement under which U.S. military forces would remain at the Subic Bay naval base for another decade.

Word about the referendum came as Aquino led a march toward Rizal Park in downtown Manila, where she urged senators to let "people's power" decide whether Subic Bay should stay in U.S. hands.

The crowd, estimated at 50,000 to 100,000, fell far short of the 1 million that her administration predicted would show up to support the bases agreement, which would provide the Philippines with $203 million in aid each year over the 10 years.

Twelve of the 23 senators have pledged to support an anti-base resolution that is under debate and set for a vote this week. The new treaty needs a two-thirds majority for ratification. The old accord expires Monday.

The new agreement, signed by the United States and the Philippines last month, would return Clark Air Base - now under ash from the Mount Pinatubo volcano - to the Philippine government next year but continue leasing Subic Bay for 10 years.

Sen. Neptali Gonzales said the president made "a very strong appeal to the senators for the people to express themselves by way of referendum."

Legal experts are divided over whether a referendum could reverse a Senate decision. Most agree a referendum could be held only if the Senate approved the agreement.

After pro-base demonstrators left the area around the Senate building, about 20,000 anti-base activists moved in under banners declaring: "No to the U.S.," "Go home Yankees" and "We love the senators who reject the treaty."

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