Newly appointed Thai Foreign Minister to visit the Philippines
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06 February 2009 – Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will visit the Philippines on 08-09 February upon the
invitation of Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.
Minister Kasit was appointed by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 22 December 2008. Minister Kasit is
a seasoned diplomat. Prior to his appointment, he was ambassador to Germany, Japan and the US.
Minister Kasit was educated at Georgetown University, and the Institute of Social Studies in The Netherlands.
During his brief visit, Minister Kasit will call on Secretary Romulo and the President. They are expected to
discuss bilateral and regional issues and concerns including the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of
Philippines-Thai diplomatic relations and the 16th ASEAN Summit to be held in Hua Hin, Thailand from 27
February to 01 March 2009. The two Foreign Ministers are also expected to exchange views on the financial
crisis facing the region and the world. END
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Philippines, European Union to hold initial talks on Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement
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06 February 2009 – The Philippines welcomes the start of negotiations with the European Union (EU) on a
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
The idea for a “new generation bilateral agreement” between the Philippines and the European Union was
broached by the EU during the 4th RP-EU Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in February 2005. During the 7th
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 7) in Beijing, China in October 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and
European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso announced the start of negotiations on the PCA.
During the meeting, President Arroyo agreed that the PCA would potentially open wide opportunities for
greater collaboration in a range of areas, and would stimulate greater Philippine trade and investment links
with Europe. Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the level of relations between the Philippines and the
EU, and believed that the agreement could offer greater potentials for an enhanced cooperation.
Bilateral relations between the Philippines and the EU are currently covered under the 1980 ASEAN-
European Community Cooperation Agreement. Post-1980 developments now require an enhanced
framework of relations between the Philippines and the EU, and would open avenues for greater cooperation
in such areas as trade and investment, development cooperation, and other current economic and financial
matters. The PCA would also provide a foundation for intensifying bilateral cooperation with an enlarged EU,
In preparing for the beginning of the PCA negotiations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) led inter-
agency consultations on the PCA since late 2006 and has held exploratory talks with the EC on several
occasions. The DFA will continue to consult with the various agencies and other bodies as the negotiation
process unfolds. The Philippines will be the 5th ASEAN member to begin negotiations on the PCA with the
EU. Negotiations have been completed with Indonesia and are currently at an advanced stage with Singapore
and Thailand. The EU has recently begun negotiations with Vietnam and is expected to soon start
negotiations with Malaysia and Brunei.
The European Union is highly significant to the Philippines. The EU is today composed of 27 Member States,
roughly 500 million people, has a higher total GDP than the United States, and its trade with the rest of the
world accounts for 20% of the global total. The EU is the 4th largest trading partner of the Philippines,
accounting for 14% of total trade in goods (behind ASEAN at 20%, China at 17%, and US at 16%). The EU is
the largest foreign investor in the Philippines and the 4th largest source of official development assistance
(ODA). There is a clear need for deeper engagement with the EU to further open up opportunities for trade,
investment and development cooperation. END
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Philippines-European Union Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) Negotiations
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The DFA Press Corps is invited to cover the opening session of the Philippines-European Union Partnership
Cooperation Agreement (PCA) Negotiations on 09 February 2009, from 09:30 to 10:15 a.m., at the 14/F
Summit Lounge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
On 10 February 2009, the Philippine and the European Union delegations will hold a joint press conference
at 3:30 p.m. at the 14/F Summit Lounge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.MOA Signing between
DFA-OAVS, POEA and COMELECThe DFA Press Corps is invited to cover the opening session of the
Philippines-European Union Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) Negotiations on 09 February 2009,
from 09:30 to 10:15 a.m., at the 14/F Summit Lounge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
On 10 February 2009, the Philippine and the European Union delegations will hold a joint press conference
at 3:30 p.m. at the 14/F Summit Lounge of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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MOA Signing between DFA-OAVS, POEA and COMELEC
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THE DFA PRESS CORPS IS INVITED TO COVER THE FOLLOWING:
WHAT : Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Foreign
Affairs – Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-COAV
WHEN : 12 February 2009, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE : 4th Floor POEA Lounge, POEA Building, Ortigas
Attached is the program of the signing ceremony.
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On Mandamus Case Filed by Anakpawis at the Manila RTC Involving DFA’s Machine
Readable Passport Project:
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The subject matter of the petition is already pending before the Supreme Court and is sub-judice. The DFA
and all others concerned are thus enjoined to respect the High Court’s proceedings.
As early as 2007, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a regional trial court
and the BCA Corporation over a similar petition that sought to stop Filipinos from receiving newer and better
passports.
It may be noted that BCA Corporation’s contract with the DFA was terminated in 2005 because of the
company’s financial incapacity to implement the project.
In line with the TRO issued by the Supreme Court, and to address the immediate need of Filipinos
everywhere for secure travel documents that comply with international standards, the DFA began issuing
Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) in 2007 and worked towards the implementation of the e-Passport
project with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Even with the significant enhancement of security features in the MRPs issued by the DFA, there has been no
price increase for the public from the previous manually-scripted green passports. The regular price for MRPs
remains at P500, the same as the old green passport.
Since the time the DFA began issuing MRPs in July 2007, three million Filipinos and OFWs have received
MRP passports. They are no longer segregated at airports or otherwise discriminated against because of
inferior travel documents.
The BSP conducted an open, competitive, and public bidding on the e-Passport project and on that basis, a
new contract was awarded to Francois Charles Oberthyur Fiduciare (FCOF) in 2008.
All of the DFA’s actions with respect to the MRP and the e-Passport project are supported by and consistent
with pertinent laws and official Opinions of the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance and the
Department of Trade and Industry.
Indeed, all passports issued by the DFA are produced in full accord with the Government Procurement
Reform Act (R.A. 9184) and other relevant statutes and regulations. These are more secure, globally
accepted and compliant with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). END
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Lone Filipino Cyclist wins 1st Asean Mountain Bike Championship in Brunei
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1 April 2009 – Niño Surban, a 22 year-old native of Cebu emerged as the champion of the 1st ASEAN
Mountain Bike Championship 2009. He was the only Filipino cyclist to join the event.
The cycling competition was held in Berakas Forest Recreational Park in Brunei Darussalam on 15 March.
The 48-kilometer cross-country competition was participated in by cyclists from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam,
and Brunei Darussalam.
Niño was quoted in the Borneo Bulletin on 16 March 2009 as saying: “I was very happy to have won the first
ever ASEAN Mountain Bike Championship’s men elite category of the cross country. The course was very
tough and the heat was overwhelming. However, I managed to overcome the obstacle to come in first.”
Niño is a national cyclist athlete who has been joining competitions abroad, such as the recent Singapore
Mountain Bike carnival where he won third place, and the last Southeast Asian Games in Thailand where he
won a bronze medal. He also joined a cycling competition in Australia.
During Niño’s courtesy call on Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez at the Philippine Chancery on last March
16, the Ambassador warmly congratulated him for bringing another glory to the Philippines.
"I am proud of your success in winning the competition despite the fact that you are the only Filipino
participant to join the competition. You have shown the good fighting spirit of a true Filipino athlete. You
continue to do our beloved country and people proud.”
The 1st ASEAN MRB Championship was organized by the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation (BDCF), in
cooperation with the Youth and Sports Department, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with support
from the Brunei Tourism Development Department. Brunei Darussalam was chosen by the ASEAN Cycling
Association to host the said event. END
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NCIP Chair Eugenio Insigne attends UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in
Norway
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1 April 2009 – National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairman, Atty. Eugenio Insigne, was in
Norway from 15-22 March to attend the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in Karasjok.
Karasjok is the Sami Capital of Norway located near the northern most tip of the country, near the border with
Finland and Russia.
During the five-day closed-door seminar, Atty. Insigne met with members of the local Sami National
Parliament and was treated to local reindeer fare. On 21 March, the Chairman flew to Oslo and was toured
around the city by Vice Consul Lenna Eilleen De Dios together with INTEX Vice President Andrea Båsen.
Chargé d’ Affaires Evelyn Austria-Garcia hosted a Filipino-style lunch at her residence on 22 March prior to the
Atty. Insigne’s departure for Manila. END
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Amb. Asuque calls on Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and
Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon
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1 April 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to Beirut, Lebanon Gilberto G.B. Asuque called on Mr. Ghazi Kraytem,
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, last March
20. In their meeting, Ambassador Asuque and Mr. Kraytem explored ways to improve the interaction between
Filipino and Lebanese businessmen and investors and enhance Philippines-Lebanon trade relations. END
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Los Angeles PCG conducts Consular Outreach in Texas
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1 April 2009 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles recently conducted back-to-back consular
outreach programs in the cities of Houston and Dallas in the State of Texas on 12-13 and 15-16 March,
respectively.
The consular team was led by Vice-Consul Charmaine Serna-Chua and composed of Vice-Consul John G.
Reyes, Ms. Corazon Villanueva, Ms. Rowena Sierra, Ms. Anna Liza Salvador, Mr. Hilarion Villamin, Mr. Manuel
Moran, Ms. Rowena Namay, and Mr. Michael Jet Martinez.
The success of the consular outreach program was made possible in cooperation with the Philippine
American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTexas) headed by Ms. Ethel Mercado, and the Filipino
American Council of South Texas (FACOST) headed by Ms. Tess Tuazon, who also provided volunteers for
both events.
During the outreach, the consular team rendered the following services: dual citizenship application
processing, passport services, legalization of documents and Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration.
The Consular Outreach Program is a regular activity of the Consulate to bring its various services closer to its
constituents residing in other states within its jurisdiction.
Another consular outreach program is being planned in the second half of the year to be able to render
consular services to the more than a hundred thousand Filipinos and Filipino-Americans living in Texas. END
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The Hague PE conducts Philippine Business Forum 2009: Trade and Investment
Opportunities Business Seminar in Amsterdam
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1 April 2009 – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands reported on the successful conclusion of
the Philippine Business Forum 2009: Trade and Investment Opportunities Business Seminar in Amsterdam
on 18 March 2009.
With the theme “Energy Development Opportunities and Experiences in the Philippines,” the seminar was
organized by The Hague PE in coordination with the Honorary Consul General to the Philippines in
Amsterdam, Mr. Eppo Horlings, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Romeo A. Arguelles gave the welcome remarks and the
economic highlights for the Philippines. He noted that the Philippine government still expects a projected
GDP growth of 3.7 to 4.4 percent in 2009 despite the global economic crisis.
Among the prominent speakers was Senator Ir. Rein Willems, former Shell Philippines and Netherlands
President, who gave a presentation on the Malampaya Project as a model for investments in Water and Gas
Exploration and Development in terms of Best Practices in Sustainable Development.
Dr. F. Trouber Mciarb of Horatio Assurance Group B.V. discussed opportunities and experiences on
developing the energy market while Professor Otto van den Muijzenberg, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and
Modern History of South and Southeast Asia of the University of Amsterdam, delivered a presentation on four
centuries of Dutch-Philippine economic relations.
The seminar is the third in a series of business seminars. The previous two seminars were conducted in
Rotterdam and The Hague in 2008. END
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New RP Envoy to the Czech Republic presents Letter of Credence to President
Vaclav Klaus
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1 April 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Regina Irene P. Sarmiento presented her Letter
of Credence and the Letter of Recall of her predecessor to President Vaclav Klaus in a ceremony held at the
Prague Castle (Przske Hrad) on 18 March.
Ambassador Sarmiento was accompanied by her daughter Lexy, Second Secretary and Consul Mersole J.
Mellejor, Administrative Officer Adriano Castillo, Finance Officer Lourdes Morallos,
Protocol/Consular/Communication/Property Officer Ramon Gaspar, and Cultural/Information Officer Merlina
Mellejor.
Also in attendance were officials of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Director Marie Chatardova
and Ms. Lenka Holubova of the Protocol Department, Mr. Patrick Rumlar of the Asia-Pacific Department and
Director Josef Rychtar of the Middle East and North Africa Department. END
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Secretary Romulo inaugurates DFA Fitness Center in Celebration of the International
Women’s Month
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1 April 2009 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo led the celebration of the Department’s
International Women’s Month last March 27, with the inauguration of the DFA Fitness Center.
The blessing and inauguration ceremony of the Fitness Center, located at the second floor of the DFA main
building, was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs Ladies Foundation, Inc. (DFALF) chairperson,
Madame Rosie Lovely Romulo.
DFALF president Julie Heidemann; DFALF and International Bazaar Foundation officers and members; and
DFA assistant secretaries, officers and employees, witnessed the ceremony. Fr. Mario Cueto of the
Department’s chapel officiated the blessing.
The event was sponsored by the DFALF.
The DFA Fitness Center is the culmination of a series of projects launched by the DFALF. These projects
include the refurbishment of washrooms in the department, the DFA Day Care Center, dental clinic, trainings
and seminars; and the Foundation’s flagship, the Scholarship Program.
The event was followed by a series of lectures on health and family wellness at the DFA Summit Lounge
located at the 14th Floor.
The lectures covered topics on dental screening, mental health, stress management, various vaccines,
acupuncture, and other alternative medicines.END
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ladies Foundation, Inc. Donates to the
School of Love and Hope
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1 April 2009 – The Association of South East Asian Nations Ladies Foundation, Inc. (ALF) donated P50, 000
to the School of Love and Hope in San Pablo City.
ALF is headed by chairperson, Madame Rosie Lovely Romulo, and ALF immediate past president, Madame
Raffar Rosilawati, of Malaysia.
The School of Love and Hope is a special education school that has been a beneficiary of ALF since 2004.
The school has 167 students who are differently-abled and with special needs.
The turnover ceremony, held last March 26, was witnessed by ALF treasurer Ms. Jane Abacan, ALF member
Nora C. Salazar, School of Love and Hope principal Ms. Alegria F. Cosico, and School division superintendent
Ms. Ester Lozada. PTA president Ms. Elma Orosa Paraiso signed on behalf of the school. END
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International Bazaar Foundation Donates to Gawad Kalinga
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1 April 2009 – In a simple ceremony held at the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs last March 25,
International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. (IBF) chairperson Madame Rosie Lovely Romulo, donated the sum of
P1.05 million to the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc.
The amount represents the balance needed to complete the construction of the remaining 14 houses that the
DFA has committed to finance. This is in addition to the 36 houses that have already been completed.
IBF president Alice Tesoro-Guerrero led the board of officers composed of vice president Jane Abacan,
secretary Julia Heidemann, treasurer Nora Salazar, P.R.O Leticia Syquia, adviser Sylvia J. Farolan, and
member Ada Mabilangan in witnessing the signing ceremony.
Cynthia Tayam signed on behalf of the employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The donation was handed to Gawad Kalinga officials namely, project director Ray Docto and GK president
Sarina Caserino. END
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