DFA Secretary Hosts Farewell Luncheon for Outgoing UAE Ambassador
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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo hosted a luncheon for outgoing United Arab Emirates Ambassador
to the Philippines Mohammed Ebrahim Abdullah Al-Jowaid on 6 January.
Ambassador Al-Jowaid earlier made a farewell call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 16 December
2009.
Also present during the luncheon were (second photo, from left) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs
Esteban B. Conejos Jr., Assistant Secretary for Fiscal Management and Ambassador-Designate to South Africa
Mario de Leon, Philippine Ambassador to UAE Grace R. Princesa, Assistant Secretary for Middle East and
African Affairs Shulan Primavera and Office of the Secretary Chief Coordinator Romeo Manalo. END (Photo by:
Tony Bosa, Jr., DFA-PISU)
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Healthcare Insurance Coverage for Foreign Service Personnel
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NOTICE OF AWARDS
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Nine Filipino Prisoners Released Under Saudi Pardon
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The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported today to the Department of Foreign Affairs that an initial batch of
nine Filipinos have bee pardoned and released from jail under the royal decree issued on the occasion of the
return of the Saudi Crown Prince.
To mark the return of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz from medical treatment overseas, the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah issued royal pardons last December 11, 2009.
Their names are being withheld until their next of kin have been informed.
These nine Filipinos are undergoing the necessary government procedures before they are allowed to leave the
country. The Embassy is working on arranging the tickets for their journey back home, including with their
original employers, if any.
Earlier, DFA Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed deep appreciation for the benevolence and kindness of His
Majesty King Abdullah and wished him and Crown Prince Sultan long life.
Secretary Romulo also said that the Philippine Government regularly requests for the inclusion of Filipinos in
any pardon, especially before Ramadan, and when it knows that they have served at least half their sentences
and have made restitutions under the private rights aspect of their cases.
The Embassy also said it submitted to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs all the names of Filipino prisoners
who could possibly qualify for clemency.
There is an estimated 400 to 500 detainees within the Embassy’s jurisdiction. This figure does not include
those being monitored by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
The royal pardon applies to both Saudi nationals and foreigners who are considered not to pose a threat to
public order. The pardon covers those who are detained or jailed for petty crimes and violations and who have
made restitutions to their victims. They includes those whose charges are still being heard by the courts.
However, the pardon does not include those arrested for major crimes, or offenses liable for specific
punishments under Shariah law (hadd crimes) or from lawsuits on private rights, such as theft, embezzlement,
diyah and qisas. END
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RP Ambassador to Israel Pushes for Cooperation with the City of Ashdod
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Philippine Ambassador to Israel Petronila P. Garcia (center) receives a token from Ashdod Mayor Yehiel Lasri
(left) during her courtesy call last January 5.
Ambassador Garcia met with Mayor Lasri to encourage cooperation between the Philippines and Israel in the
field of trade, culture and tourism, particularly with Ashdod.
Ashdod is the fifth largest city in Israel and is an important regional industrial centre. The Port of Ashdod is
Israel’s largest port, accounting for 60 percent of the country’s incoming goods.
The Ambassador also introduced the newly-appointed Honorary Philippine Consul to Ashdod and the southern
part of Israel, Mr. Boaz Waksman (right). She highlighted the importance of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in
the area due to the presence of a significant number of overseas Filipino workers.
The Ambassador and the Mayor agreed to work closely to further strengthen ties and partnership. END
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Rizal’s Legacy Commemorated in the Hometown of his ancestors
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The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, along with their families, traveled to
Jinjiang City in Quanzhou Municipality to commemorate the 113th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal.
Held on 30 December 2009, the commemoration rites started with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument
led by Consul General Raul S. Hernandez and the Director General of the Foreign Affairs (FA) Office of Jinjiang
City, Mr. Li Qingxin. The Director General was also accompanied by other FA representatives.
In his remarks, the Consul General reiterated the significance of December 30 to all Filipinos.
He further encouraged everyone to emulate Rizal, adding that one need not offer his life to be like the national
hero.
“By being honest in everything we do; by respecting the rights of others; by being hard working and efficient; by
pursuing excellence in the tasks we do; by serving our country and countrymen without expecting something in
return; all these make you a modern Rizal,” Consul General Hernandez said.
As part of the program, the Consulate General officers, and staff narrated Rizal’s biography and recited the last
poem he wrote, Mi Ultimo Adios (The Last Farewell).
The program ended with the singing of two patriotic songs, Ako ay Pilipino and Bayan Ko.
Director General Li said that the Consulate General’s gesture of organizing an activity to commemorate the
death anniversary of Rizal in Jinjiang was overwhelming.
He admitted that he is also very proud of, and has a high regard for Rizal considering that the national hero’s
relatives hailed from Jinjiang City, which explains a big monument standing on a sizeable park dedicated to
Rizal’s memory.
Jinjiang City is one-and-a-half hour drive from Xiamen City and is the documented hometown of the Rizal’s
great grandfather, Ke Nan. Through the efforts of the Consulate General, the Jinjiang local government and
private sector partners from the Filipino-Chinese community, the Rizal square and monument was built.
The Rizal monument in Jinjiang is an 18.61-meter replica of the original one in Luneta and was completed on
23 January 2003.
After the ceremony at the Rizal Square, the party went to SM City Jinjiang Mall and was hosted to a lunch by
representatives of SM management. Director General Li and the Chinese representatives were also invited to
the lunch.
The group also took the opportunity to visit the nearby Quanzhou Maritime Museum, which provides the
historical panorama of Quanzhou City.
This is an important part of China’s overseas communications legacy, as the city was the starting point of the
Maritime Silk Road and the center of overseas trade and other exchanging activities of China. Quanzhou port
was considered the biggest port in the whole world during the Middle Ages. END.
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RP Consulate General in Dubai Celebrates Rizal Day 2009
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The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai held a short program to commemorate Rizal Day last 30 December
2009 at the POLO-OWWA Center. Present during the event were Filipino community leaders and wards.
Consul General Benito B. Valeriano explained the life of Dr. Jose Rizal and highlighted the significance of his
death in the light of present-day realities.
Rizal’s “Letter to the Women of Malolos” was also read by a consulate’s cultural assistant, and a message was
read by the Consulate’s Labor Attache. Light breakfast was served afterwards. END
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