This Week’s Milestones: Sept. 16-22, 2018
Sept. 16, 1991
The Senate voted 12-11 to reject a new bases treaty that would have allowed the United States to keep Subic Naval Base for 10 more years in exchange for about $200 million in aid.
The legislative move ended nearly a century of US military presence in the Philippines.
In November 2002, the last US ship and helicopter carrier, the USS Belleau Wood, sailed away from Subic Bay in Zambales province.
The Philippine flag flew alone over the base for the first time in so many years.
Senators who voted to end the stay of the bases, who were called “Magnificent 12,” were Agapito Aquino, Juan Ponce Enrile, Joseph Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel, Ernesto Maceda, Orlando Mercado, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rene Saguisag, Wigberto Tañada, Victor Ziga and Senate President Jovito Salonga.
The 12 senators are honored in a monument at Subic Bay Freeport, as well as in an exhibit at Clark Museum in Pampanga province.
Sept. 17, 2012
Then President Benigno Aquino III inaugurated the 7.5-kilometer Candelaria Bypass Road at Candelaria town in Quezon province.
The two-lane bypass road was built to decongest traffic along Maharlika Highway.
Conceptualized in 1998 and completed after 14 years, the bypass road traverses vast rice fields and has a panoramic view of Mount Banahaw and nearby Mount Cristobal.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
