Fwd: Department of Foreign Affairs
Ezzedin Tago
From: Department of Foreign Affairs <r...@filcomworld.com>Date: April 2, 2009 3:10:41 AM GMT+03:00To: eht...@gmail.comSubject: Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 02:45 AM PDT
PR-153-09, 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
Lone Filipino Cyclist wins 1st Asean Mountain Bike Championship in Brunei
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 01:00 AM PDT
PR-152-09,1 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
NCIP Chair Eugenio Insigne attends UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in Norway
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:30 AM PDT
PR-151-09, 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
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:15 AM PDT
PR-150-09, 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
Los Angeles PCG conducts Consular Outreach in Texas
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:10 AM PDT
PR-149-09, 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
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:05 AM PDT
PR-148-09, 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
New RP Envoy to the Czech Republic presents Letter of Credence to President Vaclav Klaus
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 12:00 AM PDT
PR-147-09, 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
Secretary Romulo inaugurates DFA Fitness Center in Celebration of the International Women’s Month
Posted: 31 Mar 2009 11:55 PM PDT
PR-146-09, 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
Posted: 31 Mar 2009 11:50 PM PDT
PR-145-09, 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
International Bazaar Foundation Donates to Gawad Kalinga
Posted: 31 Mar 2009 11:45 PM PDT
PR-144-09, 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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Ezzedin Tago
From: Department of Foreign Affairs <r...@filcomworld.com>Date: April 3, 2009 4:00:32 AM GMT+03:00To: eht...@gmail.comSubject: Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs
On Reports of Misbehavior by US Troops Involved in Balikatan Exercises in Bicol
Posted: 02 Apr 2009 03:30 AM PDT
2 April 2009 – There is no truth to reports that United States military personnel currently in Bicol for the annual Balikatan exercises are availing of services of women of ill-repute.
VFA Commission Undersecretary Edilberto Adan assured that all US military personnel participating in the said exercises are under strict orders and supervision to limit their movement from the project site to their accommodations.
He added that the US soldiers are accompanied and secured by personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their movements.
Undersecretary Adan was reacting to concerns raised by Senator Francis Pangilinan that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has turned the Philippines into a “whorehouse for US soldiers.”
Reports reached Senator Pangilinan that during the month-long Magayon Festival in Legazpi City, women of ill-repute were seen near the quarters where the US military personnel are staying.
“The Magayon festival has brought tourists, including a number of Caucasians, to Legazpi who are staying in the same place where US soldiers stay. This may be a case of mistaken identity,” Undersecretary Adan explained.
He added that the VFA Commission was assured by US CMO team leader Captain Schneider that they have not allowed, and will not allow, any of his personnel to misbehave.
The VFA Commission had also emphasized to the Balikatan exercises participants to observe discipline and respect four our laws.
Around 100 US soldiers are in Bicol to participate in the US-RP Balikatan Exercises. The US military personnel are engaged in building roads, schools and water systems in Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate. The soldiers are also conducting medical missions. END
On Filipino Reportedly Wounded in a Rocket Attack in Afghanistan:
Posted: 02 Apr 2009 01:16 AM PDT
PR-157-09, 2 April 2009 - The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that the Filipino earlier reported to have been wounded in a rocket attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan last March 20, is well and in good condition.
Rolando Tresiño, who was reported to have been injured, is unharmed. He arrived in Manila last Monday, March 30.
Mr. Tresiño works as a heavy equipment operator in Afghanistan.
He confirmed that their barracks in Kandahar Airbase was hit by rocket fire. Earlier, another Filipino, Norbert Malana Hobayan, was killed in the same incident. END
RP participation in 2009 Guangzhou International Travel Fair
Posted: 02 Apr 2009 01:00 AM PDT
PR-156-09, 2 April 2009 – The Philippines participated in the 2009 Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) held on 26-29 March at the Guangzhou Jinghan International Exhibition Center.
The GITF is the most important travel fair in South China.
The Philippine Tourism Marketing Office (PTMO) for Hong Kong, Macau and South China based in Guangzhou, in coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), organized a Philippines Reception Night on March 25. PTMO is headed by Mr. Hoi Kuen Wong.
The event was attended by representatives from the various outbound travel agencies in Guangdong and friends from the media industry.
Representatives from Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and China Southern Airlines also graced the event.
Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Jr. and Department of Tourism (DOT) Team China marketing head Arlene Alipio flew in to witness the tourism activities as well as the cultural presentation by the Bayanihan dance troupe at the dinner-reception.
In his speech at the Philippine Reception Night, Philippine Consul General to Guangzhou Alex Chua stressed the importance of partnership between the government and the private sector, both in the Philippines and in China, in encouraging more Chinese to visit and invest in the Philippines.
Among the exhibitors in the Philippine both at the GITF were the DOT, Jeron Travel and Tours, CK & Phils. International Travel Incorporated, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Airlines.
The Philippine booth was the most popular at the fair because of the excellent performance of the Bayanihan which drew hordes of crowds and visitors. Members of the media also covered the performance of the dance troupe. END
Philippine Embassy in Rome sends Consular Mission to Cagliari
Posted: 02 Apr 2009 12:55 AM PDT
PR-155-09, 2 April 2009 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome sent its first consular mission to Cagliari, Sardinia last 28-29 March to attend to the consular needs of Filipinos in the area and meet with local officials.
The mission was tasked to promote the interests of Filipino nationals there. It was headed by Consul Emmanuel R. Fernandez, and composed of several Embassy officials and representatives from OWWA, DOLE, SSS, and Pag-Ibig.
The mission began with an official visit to the Comune di Cagliari where Consul Fernandez met with Cagliari’s Administrator for Public Instruction and Demographic Services, Edoardo Usai, on the concerns of Filipino students in Cagliari and the Sardinian region.
A meeting with the Filipino community followed in the afternoon of Saturday at the Teatro Sant Eulalia, where Consul Fernandez and the members of his mission spoke about the services and programs of the Embassy and its attached agencies.
During the meeting, Provincial Administrator for Social Policy and Immigration, Angela Quaquero, presented the consular team with the official seal of the province of Sardinia.
The following day, some 300 passports and other notarial documents were processed by the consular team at the complex of the Parish of the Holy Name of Mary in La Palma.
Local leaders headed by Mr. Elmer Orillo, Fr. Bernard Atendido and Fr. Saul Maquinto provided the organizational support for the event. END
HK Writer apologizes to Philippine Consulate and Filipino Community in Hong Kong
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 07:36 PM PDT
PH-053-09, 2 April 2009—Mr. Chip Tsao, the Hong Kong author of the controversial article, “The War At Home”, bows before the representatives of the Filipino Community to emphasize his ‘most sincere apologies.’ He addressed the Filipino community in Hong Kong in the evening of April 1 at the Philippine Consulate General. Next to him is Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena. (Embassy Photos)
HK writer apologizes to Philippine Consulate and Filipino Community in Hong Kong
Posted: 01 Apr 2009 07:13 PM PDT
PR-154-09, 2 April 2009 – Mr. Chip Tsao, the Hong Kong writer whose column outraged Filipinos in Hong Kong and all over the world, conveyed his formal and personal apology to the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) and members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong last night.
Hong Kong PCG reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) this morning that Mr. Tsao personally came to the consulate to apologize for his controversial article, “The War at Home,” published in the March 27 issue of HK Magazine.
In his address to the Filipino community present, Mr. Tsao conveyed his “most sincere” apologies to the Filipino people for the offense he had caused through his commentary.
He explained that he had never intended to demean any particular group when he wrote the article, whose aim was to poke fun at local authorities and other sectors.
He said he now realized that he had crossed the line, for which he was “terribly sorry.”
After his brief address, Mr. Tsao stood up and bowed before the group.
The Philippine Consulate and community leaders officially accepted Mr. Tsao’s apology and acknowledged his gesture of visiting the Consulate General to personally meet and convey his apology to the Consulate and to the Filipino community.
The publisher and editors of HK Magazine issued an official apology on 30 March 2009.
Mr. Tsao also expressed his apology earlier in the day on a number of occasions through television and radio stations in Hong Kong.
He had offered to meet with the Filipino community face-to-face in his desire to address the very group that he had offended.
After the meeting, the Philippine Consulate General and Filipino community leaders appealed to the Filipino community to not allow the incident undermine the friendly relations between the community and Hong Kong society.
The meeting was attended by leaders and members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong, including representatives of the household service workers sector, religious groups, non-government organizations, and professionals. END
