Diplomatic Corps Sign Book of Condolence for President Aquino at DFA
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Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Manila expressed their condolences to the family of the late President
Corazon C. Aquino by signing the Book of Condolence at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Ambassadors, consuls general, and representatives from various countries flocked to the DFA today to write
down their messages to President Aquino and to her family.
In his message, Archbishop Edward J. Adams, Titular Archbishop Scala of the Apostolic Nuncio of the
Philippines, said Pope Benedict XVI was deeply saddened over the death of President Aquino and conveys to
her family and the Philippine Government his heartfelt condolences and his prayers.
The Holy Father also recalled President Aquino’s “commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people, her firm
rejection of violence and intolerance, and her contribution to the rebuilding of a just and cohesive political
order” in the country.
The Ambassadors of Finland, South Africa, Brazil, Switzerland, Turkey, Republic of Cuba, and the United
Kingdom also came to give their messages to the Aquino family and the Filipino people.
Finnish Ambassador Heikki Hannikainen said that he followed the events that led to a new era of hope and
promise to the Filipino people. “Cory Aquino set an example of courage and integrity that hopefully will inspire
future generations of Filipino leaders,” he wrote.
Swiss Ambassador Peter Sutter said President Aquino “conquered the hearts of the Swiss people” when she
visited Switzerland in June 1988. “As champion of democracy, she will remain an inspiration to us all,” he said.
British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said his country will miss President Aquino’s dignity and charisma.
Ambassador Pieter Andries Vermeulen of South Africa said his country joins the Philippines and the world in
mourning the passing of the former Philippine President, but celebrate her life as an icon of courage and
democracy.
On behalf of the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian government and its people,
Brazilian Ambassador Alcides G.R. Prates offered his condolences to the family of President Aquino and the
Filipino people.
Diplomats from Iran, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Sweden, Thailand, Iraq, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and
China, and the representative of the International Organization for Migration signed in the Book of Condolence.
Visiting foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps will attend the services for President Aquino
at the Manila Cathedral Wednesday morning.
The Book of Condolence is open from August 4 to 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 pm, at the DFA ground floor. END
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Overseas Absentee Voters Registrants Now Stand at 159,100
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The Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) announced that
after six months, a total of 159,100 new Overseas Absentee Voters have registered under the Overseas
Absentee Voting registration.
As of 31 July 2009, the following Foreign Service Posts garnered the most registrants: Hong Kong (16,332),
Los Angeles (8,884), Dubai (8,602), Singapore (6,982), London (4,903), Riyadh (4,860), New York (4,484),
Toronto (4,349), Tokyo (3,648), and Jeddah (3,516).
Closely behind the top ten posts are Washington D.C. (3,410), Brunei (3,164) and Chicago (3,114).
The OAV registration centers at NAIA, POEA, CFO and OWWA have also garnered 36,658 new registrants while
MECO-Taipei contributed to OAV registration activities with 3,434 new registrants.
According to DFA Undersecretary and OAVS Chairman Rafael E. Seguis: “The 2009 OAV registration will
intensify in the final month of the on-going exercise as the various Filipino Community Organizations abroad
and their leaders continue their cooperation, assistance and support to all the Foreign Service establishments
and offices.”
He further said that field (COMELEC-funded) and mobile (OAVS-funded) registrations are scheduled to take
place in many sites or venues worldwide during the remainder of the registration period which will end on 31
August 2009.
“So far, the various Philippine foreign service establishments (Embassies, Consulates and Missions) and
other Offices (POLO-Al Khobar) including private establishments (MECO- Taipei, Kaoshiung and Taichung)
have conducted field and mobile registration in 188 sites or venues. Such registrations will take place in 71
sites or venues for August,” he added.
OAVS may still receive requests for such registration activities in the coming days.
To date, the OAVS has sent letters to 1,574 Filipino Community Organization leaders around the world. It has
also continued to promote the on-going OAV exercise through the various media (print and broadcast) and
similar forums being organized by civil society and non-government organizations.
It has also sought the help of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig FUND) in disseminating OAV
flyers in their Offices/branches to inform the OFWs and their families of the OAV registration. END
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RP Assumes Country Coordinatorship for ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations
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The Philippines assumed the role of country coordinator for ASEAN-United States Dialogue relations last July,
following the practice of rotation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued this clarification in view of reports that US President Barack
Obama designated the Philippines as coordinator between his country and the regional inter-governmental
organization.
In his remarks, President Obama said: “I am looking forward to my travels to Southeast Asia, and the
Philippines will be the coordinating country in the U.S. relationship with ASEAN, the primary organization —
strategic organization for Southeast Asian countries.”
His remarks was an acknowledgement of the Philippines’ current role as country coordinator rather than as a
designation, DFA Spokesperson Eduardo Malaya clarified.
The Philippines took over the three-year rotating responsibility from Singapore during the 42nd ASEAN Foreign
Ministers Meeting (AMM) held in Phuket, Thailand last July 22.
As country coordinator, the Philippines will be the conduit for the ASEAN Member States in its interactions with
the United States. It will also be in charge of organizing meetings to be held either in the Philippines or in the
United States.
The Philippines’ three-year action program as country coordinator will be discussed during the Special ASEAN-
US Directors’ General Meeting and the Special ASEAN-US Senior Officials Meeting to be held in Manila during
the latter part of 2009.
Initial discussions are also underway for the first ever ASEAN-US Summit under Philippine coordinatorship.
The first meeting of the ASEAN-US Dialogue was held in Manila on 8-10 September 1977.
During the Post Ministerial Conference with the United States in Phuket, the US acceded to the Treaty of Amity
and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia of 1976, a key regional agreement on peaceful coexistence and
mutual cooperation. END
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German Vessel with Two Filipinos Freed by Somali Pirates
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The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi confirmed the release of two Filipino seafarers on board German-owned
container vessel MV Hansa Stavanger last night.
Philippine Embassy Vice Consul Bernadette Mendoza said the vessel’s crew are well and in good condition.
Hansa Stavanger and its crew of two Filipinos, one German, three Russians and two Ukrainians were
captured 400 miles off the southern Somali port of Kismayu on April 4.
The vessel is now on its way to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The number of Filipino seafarers still in the custody of Somali pirates is down to 42, in three vessels, following
the release of Hansa Stavanger. END
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RP Embassies Abroad Continue to Receive Condolences for the Family of Former
President Aquino
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August 2009 – Philippine Embassies and Consulates all over the world continued to express their
condolences to the family of former President Corazon C. Aquino.
In Madrid, officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Ana I. De Sequera-Ugarte and the
Filipino Community offered a mass for the late President at the Nuestra Señora del Pino parish church last
August 2.
The mass was officiated by Fr. Rodante Abegonia, SVD.
“Today we deeply mourn her death, especially for those of us who personally know and interact with President
Cory when she was still alive. We honor her memory. We pay tribute to her legacy. We thank her for all the
things and sacrifices that she did for the country and for the Filipino people. We convey to the Aquino family our
heartfelt condolence. We pray for the eternal repose of her soul. May she rest in peace,” Ambassador de
Sequera-Ugarte said in her message to the Filipino community after the mass.
Those who attended the mass also signed the Book of Condolence prepared by the Embassy.
The Embassy has informed the Spanish government, the diplomatic community in Madrid, and international
organizations of the 10-day national period of mourning including the dates when they could sign the Book of
Condolence.
At the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, members of the Filipino Community in Malaysia lined up to sign
the Book of Condolence for President Aquino.
Filipinos residing and working outside the capital have called the Philippine Embassy conveying their wish to
sign the book of condolences. A number of Malaysians, private citizens and government officials, have also
called the Embassy to express their condolences and sympathies.
In Washington DC, the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy also joined the Filipino nation and the
international community in mourning the passing of President Aquino.
A Condolence Book has opened at the Romulo Hall of the Embassy for the Filipino community, the diplomatic
community, United States government officials, and the general public last Monday, August 3. It will be open
until August 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm.
The Embassy will also organize a memorial mass for President Aquino later this week. END
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Secretary Romulo’s Condolence Message
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Condolences for Late President Cory Aquino Pour In at Philippine Embassies and
Consulates General
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Various Philippine Embassies & Consulates General reported to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G.
Romulo that condolences from foreign friends and Filipino community members have poured in for the late
President Corazon C. Aquino and her family.
In Seoul, South Korea, as the Philippine flag flew at half-mast in honor of a beloved figure of democracy,
members of the Filipino Community and the Korean people, including former President Kim Dae-Jung,
expressed their condolences to the Philippine Embassy for former President Corazon C. Aquino and her family.
“My wife and I were so saddened by the news of former President Corazon Aquino’s death,” conveyed former
President Kim and First Lady Lee Hee-ho to Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz on 1 August.
“We extend the most sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of the Philippines. May her
soul rest in peace.”
Along with other world leaders, Presidents Aquino and Kim were co-presidents of the Forum of Democratic
Leaders. She also had extensive ties with South Korea, having received an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
from Hannam University in Daejeon in 1998 and an honorary Doctorate of Law from Hanyang University in
Seoul in 1999.
The 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and put Pres. Aquino in power played
a significant role in similar democratic movements worldwide, including South Korea’s own venture into
democracy in 1987 following massive rallies.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the Philippine Consul General Claro S. Cristobal reported that in the afternoon of
August 3, Aide de Camp to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Mr. Hui Chun-tak Steve, representing
the Office of the Chief Executive visited the Consulate to sign the Book of Condolence.
In a Note Verbal sent to the Consulate today, the Hong Kong government, through the Director of Protocol Tony
Nguyen, conveyed its “profound condolences” on Mrs. Aquino’s passing.
Other members of the Consular Corps in Hong Kong also expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family
and the Filipino people on the passing of “a firm defender of democracy and human values.”
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong will hold an ecumenical memorial service for President
Aquino on Wednesday, August 5 at its public area. A special mass is also scheduled on August 10 at the St.
Joseph’s Church, the church most frequented by Filipinos in Hong Kong.
In Sydney, the Consul General Eva G. Betita reported that a Requiem Mass was held for the repose of the soul
of the late former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.
The Mass was attended by leaders and members of the Philippine-Australian Community of New South Wales.
The Consulate also opened a Book of Condolence, which will remain open until 10 August.
In the same hour that the Condolence Book was opened, Filipinos and Australian-Filipinos came to the
Consulate to sign it.
“News of President Aquino’s demise came to Australian almost immediately after it was announced. The
news was sent through telephone calls, e-mail and SMS messages by Filipinos in the Philippines who
informed their relatives and friends in Australia. Within a few hours, many Filipinos in Australia knew about it,”
said Consul General Betita.
The Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald published on 2 August, Sunday, a page of news featuring
the former Philippine president.
By the evening of 1 August, Filipino priests throughout New South Wales were offering Masses for the former
President. Australians and immigrant communities expressed their sympathies to Filipinos for the loss of
whom they regard was a great and admirable leader.
The Consulate and the Filipino-Australian Community are jointly sponsoring a second Mass for President
Aquino on 9 August, Sunday, in Waitara, New South Wales. END
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