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Filipino protesters demand more as president delivers address

Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, east of Manila, Philippines, July 22, 2013. Dozens of protesters and police were injured in clashes ahead of President Aquino III's State of the Nation address.
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, east of Manila, Philippines, July 22, 2013. Dozens of protesters and police were injured in clashes ahead of President Aquino III's State of the Nation address.Dennis M. Sabangan / EPA
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Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, ahead of the State of the Nation address by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III.
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, ahead of the State of the Nation address by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III.Dennis M. Sabangan / EPA
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, hours before the State of the Nation address.
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, hours before the State of the Nation address.Dennis M. Sabangan / EPA
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, hours before the address by President Benigno Aquino III.
Filipino anti-riot policemen clash with protesters attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, hours before the address by President Benigno Aquino III.Francis Malasig / EPA
Protesters march towards the House of Representatives where President Benigno Aquino III is set to deliver his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address, July 22, 2013.
Protesters march towards the House of Representatives where President Benigno Aquino III is set to deliver his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address, July 22, 2013.Bullit Marquez / AP
A presidential aide pours water for Philippine President Benigno Aquino as Aquino delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila July 22, 2013.
A presidential aide pours water for Philippine President Benigno Aquino as Aquino delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila July 22, 2013.Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

As President Benigno Aquino prepared to give the State of Nation address, protesters marched to the heavily guarded House of Representatives where the speech was to take place, clashing with anti-riot squads. At least 15 were injured as protesters demanded jobs, and land for farmers.  During Aquino’s two-hour address, he acknowledged continued problems with corruption, incompetence and irregularities, but noted the country’s rapid growth, which hit 7.8 percent, outpacing China. Even with the growth increases, the Philippines unemployment rate hit 7.5 percent in April – a 3-year high.

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