President Arroyo Congratulates New Japanese PM Yuhio Hatoyama
|
| |
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today extended her congratulations to Yuhio Hatoyama on his assumption
as the new Prime Minister of Japan.
President Arroyo also congratulated the Democratic Party of the Japan for its historic and overwhelming victory in
the recent election in the Japanese House of Representatives.
President Arroyo said Prime Minister Hatoyama’s assumption comes at a time when there is much promise for
Philippines-Japan bilateral relations. She stressed that the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement in December 2008 has elevated relations between the two countries to a higher level.
“I look forward to working closely with Your Excellency in our collective efforts to ensure for our peoples the
blessings of greater peace, progress, and prosperity,” President Arroyo said in her letter to Prime Minister
Hatoyama.
The President also assured the new Japanese leader of the Philippines’ full cooperation and support
particularly as the region moves towards the realization of an East Asia Community. END
|
| |
Defense Secretary Teodoro Addresses Filipino-Americans in New York; Highlights
Climate Change as an Emerging National Security Threat
|
| |
After his official visit to Washington DC on 7-10 September, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., went to
New York City and met with the Filipino-American community on September 11.
The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Secretary
Teodoro met with the representatives of the Filipino-American media at the Kapihan sa Konsulado. Afterwards,
he addressed a Forum attended by about 150 members of the Filipino-American community and spoke on the
subject of Peace and Security Situation in the Philippines and the Progress on Philippines-U.S. Defense
Cooperation.
On both occasions, the National Defense Secretary discussed how the Philippine Government was managing
the security threats posed by the insurgent and secessionist armed groups in the Philippines. He also talked
about the latest developments on the implementation of the RP-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement.
Secretary Teodoro, however, stressed that climate change was becoming a bigger threat to Philippine national
security as the Philippine archipelago has become exposed to more frequent and stronger disasters, which
disrupt the lives of many local communities. He called on the U.S. to lead the world in addressing climate
change affecting both the developed and developing countries.
Secretary Teodoro said that his concurrent position as Chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council
(NDCC) made him witness for himself the impact of climate change and natural disasters all over the
Philippines. The NDCC is tasked to lead the government and private sectors in disaster preparedness,
prevention, mitigation and response, whenever a natural disaster hits the county. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
RP Ambassador to Myanmar Presents Credentials to SPDC Chair Than Shwe
|
| |
Ambassador Maria Hellen M. Barber to Myanmar presented her credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) of the Union of Myanmar, on September 11 at the Bayintnaung Yeiktha (King
Bayintnaung Hall) in Nay Pyi Taw, the national capital of Myanmar. She was accompanied by Third Secretary and
Vice Consul Joselito Chad N. Jacinto, Jr. Others present at the ceremony were Secretary-1 of the SPDC Lt. Gen.
Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint, Chief of Protocol U Kyaw Kyaw, and
Director General of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Malaysian Prime Minister Holds Interactive Session with Foreign Ambassadors
|
| |
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak held an interactive session with the foreign Ambassadors and senior
officials of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry on September 14. Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano M.
Lecaros (left) joined the table with Prime Minister Razak (4th from the left) and Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah
Aman (3rd from the right) during an Iftar dinner for the Diplomatic Corps that followed the session. END
|
|
|
| |
RP Promotes Agriculture Industry in 13th CIFIT
|
| |
The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Department
of Agriculture (DA) participated in the 13th China International Fair for Investment and Trade CIFIT held at the
Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center on 08-11 September 2009. The Philippine Consulate
General and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) based in Guangzhou collaborated on the
Philippine Participation in CIFIT.
The DA rented three standard booths at the commodities pavilion to exhibit the AgriKart concept. The AgriKart is
a medium sized cart made in the image of a Philippine jeepney with a trailer that operates like a self-contained
sari-sari store of processed Philippine agriculture products. Displayed in the cart are products such as snack
foods, delicacies, beverages and beauty products produced from the Philippine agriculture Industry.
The DA was represented by Ms. Jennifer T. Torred of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service
and Ms. Maria Rosario “Minky” M. Alba of the DA-Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp.-
Agribusiness Exports Showroom.
The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen extended all possible support and assistance to the DA
delegation, including doing leg work in setting up and packing up the booth. Consul General Raul S. Hernandez
also hosted a dinner for the DA and PTIC delegations as well as for some other Filipino-Chinese businessmen
at his official residence. END.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Powerlifting Champion calls on Consul General Aragon
|
| |
The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Consul
General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon welcomed the members of the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines at
the Consulate. The team competed in the 2009 World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships which
was held on September 16-13in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
The three-person Philippine delegation was led by the new World Powerlifting Champion Patricia Llena, a 15-
year old honor student from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. She bested participants from 30 countries including the
United States, Canada, Russia, Japan and host Brazil.
Patricia bagged three gold and one bronze medals during the championships. She lifted 170 kilograms in the
Squat, 80 kilograms in the bench press, and 170 kilograms in the deadlift, for a total of 420 kilograms to win the
title.
During the courtesy call, Patricia was accompanied by Mr. Dominic Cabalza, Vice President of Asian Powerlifting
Federation, and Mr. Leonardo Llena, Patricia’s coach and father. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Ambassador Gaa Calls on OAV Registrants to Vote in 2010
|
| |
As the world observed International Democracy Day, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa
called on all Filipinos who registered under the Overseas Absentee Voter Law to cast their ballot in May 2010.
“The right of the people to freely choose who shall lead their nation is a fundamental pillar of democracy. I would
like to call on all those who registered under the OAV law to exercise that right in 2010,” Ambassador Gaa said.
Also, Ambassador Gaa stated: “Today, we join other democracies and freedom loving nations around the world
in commemorating the International Day of Democracy and celebrating a universal value based on the freely
expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems.”
Ambassador Gaa announced that the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in the United States will be
launching an aggressive campaign to inform, educate and encourage registered voters to cast their votes. “As
part of our observance of International Democracy Day, we are launching a campaign to convince and
encourage registered overseas absentee voters to vote,” he said.
As a charter member of the United Nations and an active participant of the Community of Democracies and the
Conference of New and Restored Democracies, the Philippine Government continues to spare no effort to
promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
September 15 has been proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the International Day
of Democracy in 08 November 2007. The UNGA encourages all democracies and freedom-loving nations and
civil organizations around the world to commemorate the International Day of Democracy, to celebrate a
universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social
and cultural systems. END
|
| |
RP Embassy in Riyadh Holds 8th Holy Qur’an Reading Contest
|
| |
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh held its 8th Holy Qur’an reading contest at the multi-purpose court located
inside the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh on September 10 after the taraweeh prayer.
The annual contest is the highlight of the Embassy’s celebration of the holy month of Ramadan and is
dedicated to all Muslim-Filipinos residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aims to promote awareness of
Islam and its teachings and thereby contribute to the initiative of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia on interfaith
dialogue for peace and development.
This year’s competition was bigger in scope for it had two categories: the children’s category, which is for
Muslim Filipino high school students enrolled at any Philippine curriculum carrying schools that are
knowledgeable in reading and reciting the Holy Qur’an; and the adult’s category.
The criteria used in judging were diction or tajweed, eloquence or tarteel, melody or tarannum, and voice or
shawt. The professional or adult’s category was opened to all Muslim Filipinos residing and/or working in the
Kingdom.
The children’s contest aims to encourage the Filipino Muslim youth to appreciate more deeply the significant of
Qur’an as an integral part of their worship and the Filipino culture. Mr. Saleh Youssef H. Lubid, a student from
the Philippine International School in Buraydah, was the runaway winner for the children’s category. He beat
three other challengers from Riyadh.
For the adult’s category, the contestants from Jeddah, Madinah and Mecca namely, Messrs. Saa-doddin
Mohammad Nadhir Asgar, Mohammad Khalil D. Capal and Mohammad Abdullah Asgar, bagged the
Championship, the first and second runner up awards, respectively.
The top three winners each received a laptop computer, a copy of the translated holy Qur’an, gift certificates,
PNB ATM Cards with P2,000 seed money, Bateel dates, and assorted gifts and food items.
The esteemed panel of judges was headed by Sheikh Mohammad Waleed Al-Swaidan and composed of three
other distinguished members from the World Assembly of Muslim Youth. Like the Filipino community, the
judges were delighted that this year’s contest had the participation of the youth.
Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor, in his opening remarks, said the affair was carefully prepared to provide a
venue for a timely reflection and interaction on the unique and most special gift of Islam to humanity, that opens
our spiritual eye to realize and be thankful for our life and manifold blessings we have experienced in this
material world. He added that it is also a way of expressing the hope of the entire Filipino nation for a total and
lasting peace and development to finally dawn in Mindanao.
After the contest, Ambassador Villamor presented the Certificates of Appreciation to all the generous sponsors
of the event as well as to the members of the Board of Judges. He also conferred the Certificates of Participation
to all the contestants and awarded the prizes to the lucky winners.
He thanked everyone for their contribution in the contest, which he considered as the Filipino symbol of unity and
solidarity with the Muslim Ummah in celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The contest was attended by the members of the diplomatic corps, Saudi businessmen, Embassy and POLO
officials, and members of the Filipino-Muslim community. It ended with a feast shared by everyone during the
sohur dinner. END
|
| |
Special Forum by the Prominent Filipino Artist Garibay in Australia
|
| |
The Philippine Embassy in Canberra, in cooperation with the Australian National University (ANU), organized a
special forum with prominent Filipino painter, Mr. Emmanuel R. Garibay, last September 11 at the ANU School
of Art.
Philippine Ambassador Ernesto H. De Leon headed the audience of mostly Australian academicians and
students from the School of Art, as well as officials from the Philippine Embassy.
The forum was organized in line with the celebration of the International Day of Democracy on September 15.
“Art and democracy compliment and sustain each other. Artists can better express themselves, if their hands
and ideas are not tethered. In like manner, democracy is strengthened by freedom of expression,” Mr. Garibay
said in his opening statement.
As a testament to the strength of democracy in the Philippines, the works of Mr. Garibay depict his ideas on
government, religion, society and the everyday lives of Filipinos. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Invitation to apply for Eligibility and to Bid: OLA’s Equipment
|
| |
The Department of Foreign Affairs - Bids and Awards Committee (DFA-BAC) is inviting interested bidders to
apply for eligibility and to bid for the:
OLA’s EQUIPMENT & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR RESTROOMS CLICK HERE
|
|
