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http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02f421H9YI9Zh/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08Dm0JNao44iG/610x.jpg

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more photos on the 50th Anniversary of Malaysia's Independence .
attended by the Sultan of Brunei, Britain's Prince Andrew, and Thailand's Crown Prince & his wife.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1964/mal50thindependencefops.jpg (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/mal50thindependencefops.jpg/)
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1964/mal50thindependencefops.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/mal50thindependencefops.jpg/)

Pres Arroyo being greeted by Thai Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1964/mal50thindependencefops.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/mal50thindependencefops.jpg/)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6272/mal50thindependencejjj2.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/mal50thindependencejjj2.jpg/)

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2009 State Visit of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei

tour of Malacanang for the Sultan’s wives

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After HK, Manila must mend fences with Asean
Written by Estrella Torres / Reporter
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 13:32

THE decision of President Aquino to visit the US first, as scheduled for late this month, has caused a diplomatic backlash in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) because he ignored protocol for a newly installed leader to make his first foreign visit to at least one member nation, according to a senior diplomat.

The President was scheduled to visit Vietnam, current host of the Asean meetings, on September 13 and 14; and the Asean secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 14 to 16, but he announced he would no longer push through with these official visits because, as he put it, he could not be accommodated until October and in the mentioned dates, he has to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The deferred visits to Asean countries also come a week before the second US-Asean meetings to be held in New York from September 20-26, where the President said he will also meet with the member-country leaders.

But the senior diplomat, who requested anonymity, said what made matters worse is that the governments of Vietnam and Indonesia have not been “officially informed of the President’s cancellation of his trips” through diplomatic channels.

The diplomat said the government has yet to patch up serious strains in the diplomatic relations with China and Hong Kong, and now, President Aquino appears ill-advised in making drastic announcements about the cancellation of his trips to Asean countries without the Department of Foreign Affair’s knowledge.

DFA officials were thus caught flatfooted and apologized to the Vietnamese and Indonesian envoys at recent diplomatic events. “All we’re doing now is to clean up their [referring to Malacañang] mess. They make announcements and then they leave us to explain things for them even if we’re not consulted offhand on these matters.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo had to meet with Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu of Vietnam and Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo of Indonesia on Tuesday at the DFA to explain to them why President Aquino deferred his scheduled visits.


source (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/1017-after-hk-manila-must-mend-fences-with-asean)

Looks like Malacanang palace's interior still looks pretty nice.

I could not see most of the pictures right away though, perhaps, I should subscribe with imageshack as well because I only have photobucket.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2845/bruphil08666ddrf171.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/bruphil08666ddrf171.jpg/)

This looks grand!!

2009 State Visit of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei with his two wives
HM Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha &
HRH Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim (divorced in 2010)

welcome ceremony & meeting

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/356/bruphil08666ddrf5.jpg[/URL]
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7864/bruphil08666ddrf6.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/i/bruphil08666ddrf6.jpg/)
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/571/bruphil08666ddrf7.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/bruphil08666ddrf7.jpg/)


Is this also in Malacanang? Or, elsewhere?

at least is gloria presentable...si abNoy kaya?

Is this also in Malacanang? Or, elsewhere?That's Bahay Pangarap, where PNoy currently resides. I think it is just across the palace itself, but still part of Malacañan Complex.

at least is gloria presentable...si abNoy kaya?

Babae naman yon, kailangan naman maging presentable yon. Pero hindi rin, pag nakangiti na si Ate glue, nasisira....mukhang joker....

maganda din pala ang bahay pangarap...abangan natin si PNOy sa mga state visits nya..lol

That's Bahay Pangarap, where PNoy currently resides. I think it is just across the palace itself, but still part of Malacañan Complex.

Oh really? That is cool, I don't think I've ever seen pictures of these anywhere.

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Eto contribution ni ERAP.... :D

http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/newsphoto/2000-07/000727-D-2987S-033_screen.jpg

eto pa......

State visit of pres Suleyman Demirel of Turkey 1999

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^^^ yan din ata yung dress nung inaguration niya?..diretso na ata ang Lola mo galing Cebu..hehehe

Eto contribution ni ERAP.... :D

http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/newsphoto/2000-07/000727-D-2987S-033_screen.jpgI cannot imagine how Erap managed to talk to visiting leaders or when he was visiting foreign countries. Para kasing hirap siyang mag-english.

@Chris_nigel: Yun din napansin ko. Yan din ata yung damit niya nung inauguration.

Is it just me or it really seems that the Sultan of Brunei has high regards for Arroyo relative to the other leaders. She's always placed near the Sultan in special occasions.

I am wondering why FVR isn't featured here much. I think he's the most traveled President after Marcos.

Your Royal highness...kaya naman ni Erap makipag usap ng English I think nakapag aral naman sa magndang school yan si Pare at mayaman naman paliya nila so medyo sanay naman sa engslsan yan

^^ oo nga..dapat si Tabaco ang isa sa madami pics kasi sya ang panay byahe nun hindi ba..pansin ko din na lagi katabi ni Sultan si GMA..siguro..babae baka alam mo na iba ang trato nila..with much higher respect than sa lalakeng leaders..kala nio siguro type ni Sultan si GMA..lol

I cannot imagine how Erap managed to talk to visiting leaders or when he was visiting foreign countries. Para kasing hirap siyang mag-english.

Magaling pa yata si Erap ke Jinggoy mag ingles... :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HcC4q3LrVg&feature=player_embedded#!

Canadian immigration minister to arrive in Manila

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/25473-canadian-immigration-minister-to-arrive-in-manila

Thursday, 09 September 2010 00:00

Canada’s immigration minister is scheduled to visit the Philippines on September 16 to improve relations between Ottawa and Manila and enforce meaningful regulation of fraudulent immigration activities.
In a statement, the Canadian Embassy in Manila said that Jason Kenney, minister for citizenship, immigration and multicultu-ralism, left Canada on Saturday for a series of official visits to Europe and Asia.

“He will participate in meetings as part of the [Canadian government’s] commitment to work with foreign governments to improve international cooperation on shared immigration concerns,” the statement said.

“Minister Kenney’s trip will focus on encouraging countries that are [considered] major sources of immigration to Canada,” as well as “to implement and enforce meaningful regulation of fraudulent immigration activity.”

Kenney’s visit to Asian countries like India, China and the Philippines “will also focus on the [Canadian government’s] recent announcement to increase [the number] of skilled immigrants [and how it] will affect them,” the statement added.

Among the identified “fraudulent immigration activities” include marriages of convenience and crooked immigration consultants. The statement also said that
Kenney “will also seek government cooperation on the prosecution of crooked consultants and recruiters, many of whom victimize individuals who dream of immigrating to Canada as live-in caregivers.”

The Canadian minister will also be discussing opportunities for collaboration on anti-fraud initiatives, such as attempts to use convenient marriages to circumvent Canada’s immigration laws. He recently conducted a cross-Canada tour where he met victims of such initiatives.

He intends to address the enormity of the problem and how the government can better confront it during his visit.

The statement also said that Kenney will hold discussions with key government officials to explain what the Canadian government is doing to protect live-in caregivers.

Bernice Camille V. Bauzon

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200542/dfa-budget-cut-to-add-woes-to-troubled-ofws

DFA: Budget cut to add woes to troubled OFWsAMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV
09/08/2010 | 04:17 PM

Share Thousands of distressed Filipinos abroad may be facing a tough year ahead in terms of getting government assistance after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) slashed by 42.6 percent the budget sought by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo told the House appropriations committee Wednesday that the Aquino administration approved only P27 million in legal assistance fund or LAF.

Section 18 of RA 10022 or the Amended Migrant Workers' Act provides for an allotment of P100 million in LAF, of which P50 million shall be taken from the President’s contingency fund, P30 million from the President’s social fund, and P20 million from the Overseas Workers Welfare Fund.

The DFA originally requested a budget of P19 billion for its 2011 operations, but the DBM only approved P10.9 billion, or 0.67 percent of the P1.645 trillion national budget, equivalent to the amount proposed by the administration for House approval.

Apart from consular and diplomatic services, the Foreign Affairs Department is helping some 7,000 Filipinos jailed around the world with 230 involving the death sentence.

Romulo pointed out that it is important to protect Filipinos abroad. With the Foreign Affairs budge slashed, “we have to get [the fund] somewhere because the needs of our overseas workers are pressed and we should provide them," he said.

House minority leader Edcel Lagman, who considers the budget cut a violation of RA 10022, asked if Romulo accepted the diminished budget particularly a lower LAF.

“We will do our best to make a representation," Romulo replied. "That’s the law and it should be complied with. We will insist that the law is complied with."

The department will have to tighten its belt and put on hold several projects, Romulo said. “Ours is a decrease of over 40 percent and that is why priority projects that we have, like new regional consular offices – which is frontline – just have to be put on hold because we don’t have the budget."

The repair and rehabilitation of Philippine representation facilities abroad would also have to be delayed, he added. "You all know that if you don’t repair and rehabilitate your residences, it will keep on deteriorating then you will need a new house and that is more expensive."

Also affected is the car re-fleeting program of Philippine consular and diplomatic offices.

“If we fetch them in the airport and the car breaks down, don’t blame it on us. We tried our best to maintain the car. If you are delayed going to your hotel then that’s part of the price we have to pay," Romulo said.

Despite the budget situation, Romulo said he continues to trust the President.

“I have full confidence in President Aquino. Our people overwhelmingly elected him and we should support President Aquino and that is what we are doing," he said. —VS/JV, GMANews.TV

:ohno:
I think Penoy has a penchant for budget cuts.

ako rin meron din akong isha-share galing sa isang librong binasa ko...:D

Gov. Ronald Reagan during the opening of the Cultural Center (September 1969)
[AP/Wide World]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0584.jpg

Pres. Nixon at Malacanang (July 1969)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0585.jpg

Vice President Mondale at Malacanang (May 3, 1978)
[UPI/Bettman]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0586.jpg

nag kiss sila...:D

Secretary of State George Shultz and Imelda Marcos; Ambassador Michael Armacost with President Marcos; Malacanang (June 1983)
[AP/Wide World]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0587.jpg

Marcoses' official visit to Washington; US Defense Sec. Casper Weinberger; at far right: Philippine Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile (September 1982)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0589.jpg

Vice President George Bush attending Marcos' Inauguration (July 1981)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0590.jpg

R-L: Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., Irene Marcos, Pres. & Mrs. Reagan, President Marcos; State Dinner in Washington (September 1982)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0591.jpg

:cheers:

...

Marcos was really a US ally, US vice pres attending his inauguration, "high level"!!

from Ramos to Noynoy inaugurations, I think the highest US official attending if I am not mistaken are only ambassadors.

sinabi mo pa...!

anyway, forgot to post these last 3 images...:D

Imelda Marcos with Vice President Mondale and Asst. Sec of State Richard Holbrooke at the Roosevelt Room of the White House (July 1978)
[AP/Wide World]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0594.jpg

US Sec. of State Henry Kissinger (lol palagi yan nagpupunta dyan nuon :D) aboard the Philippine Presidential Yacht on return trip from Corregidor Island (December 7, 1975) [AP/Wide World]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0593.jpg

this one's not really a diplomatic visit:

A critical Sunday afternoon White House meeting, 48 hours before Marcos' exile; with Pres. Reagan and VP Bush
[Terry Arthur/The White House]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0592.jpg

PGMA's visit to HM Queen Elizabeth II of UK (2007)

http://philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20071208/front.jpg
photo from philippine star

PGMA's visit to HM Queen Elizabeth II of UK (2007)

http://philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20071208/front.jpg
photo from philippine star

here are two more pictures, for what I know pres Ramos also had an audience with the queen during his term, sana may mag post nun :)

Is it just me or it really seems that the Sultan of Brunei has high regards for Arroyo relative to the other leaders. She's always placed near the Sultan in special occasions.
President Datin Arroyo Confirms Ancient Linage To Brunei Royalty
By Tony Alabastro

Bandar Seri Begawan - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo confirmed yesterday afternoon the ancestral link between her forebear Macapagal and the Filipina wife of the first Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei 600 years ago.

“So you know,” the President said, smiling, when this reporter asked, during an exclusive interview at the Istana Edinburg, if she “talked about it during your visit to your ‘relative,’ in Brunei”.

On her ancient royal linkage, President Arroyo said:

“You mean the Sultan. It happened this way. During the 14th century, the first Sultan Bolkiah married a Filipina (Sulu Princess Lela Menchanai), whose grandson is Lakandula (a Manila nobleman), whose cousin went to Brunei in 1575, and whose grandchild is a Macapagal.

The first Sultan Bolkiah, known as the Singing Captain or Nakhoda Ragam, ruled during the golden age of Brunei when its territory reached the Philippines.

His wife, Princess Lela Menchanai, the daughter of a Sulu ruler, has a school named after her in Kampong Ayer, where one of the teachers is Filipina Jhonita Rivero, who has been teaching there for 16 years.

“In our Pampango dialect, macapagal means something that is ‘tiring’.

“So my cabinet members are saying it is tiring to work in Malacanang,” she said.

President Arroyo’s father, Diosdado, the ninth president of the Philippines, sent her to Georgetown University in Washington where she went to class with former US President Bill Clinton.

She told the same story about her ancient royal linkage during a speech in a state banquet hosted by His Majesty at the Istana Nurul Iman last night.

Mrs. Arroyo met His Majesty the Sultan yesterday morning at the Istana Nurul Iman after her arrival from Manila on a three-day state visit here.

www.brudirect.com (http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug01/230801/nite04.htm)

International body cites RP for e-passport

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:21:00 09/12/2010

MANILA, Philippines—International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) president Robert Kobeh Gonzalez has commended the Philippines for implementing the electronic passport (e-passport) project.

During his recent courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secreatry Alberto Romulo at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Gonzalez said the use and issuance of e-passports facilitate the transit of passengers through international airports and provide greater safety.

The e-passport, which is compliant with Icao standards, is one of the flagship projects of the DFA in recent years. The Philippines is one of the first 60 countries which have implemented the e-passport, well ahead of the Icao schedule. Filipino travellers are enjoying the benefits of a modern, tamper-proof, and secure travel document.

Gonzalez also expressed optimism in the country's corrective measures to address aviation safety concerns, saying that the Philippines is "moving in the right direction."

Romulo thanked the Icao official for helping the Philippines formulate and implement a roadmap toward improving the safety of Philippine aviation, especially in the light of the current challenges met by the country’s aviation industry.

Icao is extending assistance through the Icao-Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) Technical Cooperation Project.

The secretary also highlighted the commitment by Caap to implement corrective action regarding Philippine aviation. He also said he hopes the planned visit of the Icao validation team to the Philippines within the fourth quarter of 2010 or the first quarter of 2011, as well as the visit of the European Union Aviation Safety Commission in October 2010, will see the progress of the country’s corrective actions.

Present during the courtesy call were United Nations Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock, Caap Director General Alfonso Cusi, Icao-Caap Technical Coperation Project Consultant Captain Peter Weiss, DFA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda, and DFA Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs J. Eduardo Malaya.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100912-291830/International-body-cites-RP-for-e-passport

President Datin Arroyo Confirms Ancient Linage To Brunei Royalty
By Tony Alabastro

Bandar Seri Begawan - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo confirmed yesterday afternoon the ancestral link between her forebear Macapagal and the Filipina wife of the first Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei 600 years ago.

“So you know,” the President said, smiling, when this reporter asked, during an exclusive interview at the Istana Edinburg, if she “talked about it during your visit to your ‘relative,’ in Brunei”.


www.brudirect.com (http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug01/230801/nite04.htm)

may royal blood pala si Ate Glo:bow:

OK, here's a list of the first 10 years of foreign visits of the Marcoses (mostly Imelda, of course) during the time I lived in Manila:

Sept 1966 - the first one...to Washington and to Japan

Dec 1967* - to Canberra, Australia, for Holt's funeral

Jan 1968 - state visit to Indonesia, Thailand & Malaysia (this was the one timed so that the Marcoses didn't have to attend the Lopezes' 40th anniversary fete)

May 68* - Imelda goes to the US for a check-up at Walter Reed in DC; takes the 3 kids to Disneyland

April 69 - Ike's fiuneral

May 69* - to Rome for Cardinal Rosales' investiture; and then
- Tehran on the way home; bonding-bonding w/ Farah Diba

[NOV 1969 - 1st legitimate re-election run of Marcos.]

June '70* - Expo '70 at Osaka

Sept 70 - Rome and London to enroll Bing-Bong in a UK school

Oct 71 - New Delhi, party at Persepolis, Iran; London, NY (shopping), Detroit

Mar 72 - another jaunt of La Imierda - London, madrid, Moscow, London

[Sept 21, 1972 - ILLEGAL imposition of Martial Law on trumped-up justification by Juan Ponce-Enrile.

Dec 1972 - Imelda almost assassinated at that place in Tondo]

Jan - Feb 73 - Washington, NYC, Texas, London, Rome - shopping, R&R, treatment for that botched assasination attempt on IRM. How the Phil. would've been saved if that poor, blessed man had actually succeeded in hacking her to pieces! Of course, Kokoy hired an incompetent stooge to do the deed. :-)

Nov 73 - Imelda again to NYC

May 74 - Sydney for inaugration of the new Opera House

Sept '74* - to Beijing...to schmooze with that grand old siopao himself, Mao

Nov 74 - to NYC again to open the new Philippine Center and at the same pick out the colors and curtains for "her" new townhouse" at the old location of the Philippine consular offices on East 66th Street. Tapos, London muli.

Feb 75 - Nepal for the coronation or wedding of their prince

March 75* - Egypt

And after that I stopped counting...but can you imagine in 1960-70's pesos & dollars, how much the shameless La Tekla spent of the Philippine treasury for her self-aggrandizing trips?? And she/they never paid back the poor Philippine people. I really hope she and them become nothing more than mere footnotes of history.

* - with one or 2 or 3 of the little brats

NIce..thanks for the info...

OK, here's a list of the first 10 years of foreign visits of the Marcoses (mostly Imelda, of course) during the time I lived in Manila:



Thanks Gondolier for this list :)

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For a second I thought Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Prince Philippe of Belgium is the same person, they kind of look alike. Maybe the same lineage since The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg use to be one country.

^^ It is a long tradition that royalty marry only those of their own class. Because of this, "the ruling houses of Europe have always been closely related to one another," and the descent from one monarch can be found in many other royal families. All present European monarchs, are descendants of William I of England (aka, William the Conqueror).

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Thought so... Thanks. This is why I lost my royal title, i married a comonner :rofl:

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British envoy sees bright prospects for RP-Europe trade pact

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:51:00 09/14/2010

Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, business, Trade (general), Foreign affairs & international relations, Diplomacy

MANILA, Philippines – British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie pushed for "greater trade relations" between the UK and the Philippines, even as he welcomed "recent indications of interest from the Philippines in opening talks on a possible European Union-RP Free Trade Agreement."

Speaking in a forum on international trade laws and policies at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City on Monday, Lillie said, "The evidence in support of open and fair markets is clear."

"Our own research indicates that a 20 percent increase in trade openness translates into a 4 percent increase in per capital income," the envoy noted.

Lillie cited the Philippines for experiencing “two consecutive quarters of increased growth.”

"The private sector has a key role to play in consolidating this recovery and sustaining the growth momentum while government will have to be more pro-active in finding out what business needs to thrive and to provide the necessary conducive environment for business," he said.

Lillie told nearly 70 participants to the I-MUST PLUS that "trade rules can be quite complicated, which is why it is very important that legal specialists and academic experts are on board to maximize the benefits of the various trade agreements."

"Ultimately, this course isn't about learning for learning's sake. It's meant to translate into better economic policy-making and better economic performance," he said.

The British mission supports the four-day I-MUST PLUS professional development program. It is short for Institutionalization of Multi-Stakeholder Professional Learning and Universal Skills for Trade Policy), a non-degree program offered by the trade policy think-tank Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade.

Meanwhile, the British embassy described as "good" RP-UK trade relations.

Last year, UK exports to Manila totaled 258 million pounds, an increase of 11 percent over 2008 exports.

On the other hand, 2009 imports were GBP 373 million, a drop of 38 percent.

In terms of its share in world exports to the Philippines, the UK is currently on 15th place after Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Germany and countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The UK's top exports to Manila include electrical machinery and appliances (GBP 45 million), medical and pharmaceutical products (GBP 45 million) and power-generating machinery (GBP 23 million).

Its imports include fish, crustaceans and mollusks (GBP 30 million) and clothing materials (GBP 28 million).

During the past 10 years, the UK has been the largest foreign investor in the Philippines with combined net foreign and net portfolio investments of GBP 9.7 billion, rivaled only by Singapore with GBP 6.7 billion.

About 200 British firms, from multinationals to small and medium enterprises, operate here. They include Unilever, Anglo-American, Shell, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., Standard Chartered, M & S, Debenhams, Speedo, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Dunhill, Mothercare, Paul Smith, and Warehouse Burberry, among others.

"We believe the Philippines, a key emerging economy, is a good place to do business....Our government has been actively promoting better economic relations with the Philippines."

"We are optimistic that the Aquino administration's commitment to improve the business climate will widen the scope of business relations between our two countries."

"We are also very encouraged by the President's statements about fostering a climate open to trade and investment."

visit of HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium 1996
he is the heir to the throne of Belgium

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2103/philbelgiumprincephilip.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/philbelgiumprincephilip.jpg/)

Napansin ko lang, nagbigay ang Principe ng stuff toy na yan, mangkukulam pa yata... Hindi man lang Elmo o Bigbird ng Sesame Street. :lol: Hindi kaya nagka nightmare yuong mga batang yon? :lol:


Ay ScareCrow pala, ganoon din ang dating nuon, pang Halloween... he he

Malaysian PM accepts Malacañang offer to renew facilitator’s role in MILF-GRP talks

Written by Manuel T. Cayon / Reporter
Wednesday, 15 September 2010 11:43

DAVAO CITY—Malaysia’s Prime Minister NajibTun Razak has accepted the offer of President Aquino to continue facilitating the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a presidential adviser said on Wednesday.

Razak’s nod was known on Tuesday through a senior Malaysian official who relayed his reply to the offer of Mr. Aquino following the affirmation by both the government and the MILF that they were willing to negotiate anew after the talks collapsed in 2008, said Secretary Teresita Deles, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Deles told reporters here that Razak’s acceptance would take the peace process with the Moro guerrillas nearer to the resumption of the talks. “It would now take the two leaders to meet and finalize Razak’s commitment before the two panels officially start to meet in formal negotiations,” she said.

Both parties have reconstituted their panels and were awaiting only the signal from Malaysia to meet anew, she said.

Both the MILF and the government also confirmed that the scuttled memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) will be discussed again in the talks, only this time, it would be “reframed” to skirt the legal prohibition by the Supreme Court that the unsigned agreement would not be revived.

The MILF said last week the government has acceded to include the MOA-AD in the talks, and Deles said on Wednesday that “we have agreed that there would be a reframing of the MOA-AD for the panels to be able to discuss it again.”

The MOA-AD was supposed to be the third comprehensive agreement before the government and the MILF will come up with an agreement on a final political settlement to the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. The MILF was one of two Moro guerrilla groups with whom the government was fighting an insurgency war since 1968 in Mindanao. It signed a peace agreement in September 1996 with the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) of Nur Misuari.

The MILF was then part of the MNLF until it separated and formed the organization in 1981 due to political and ideological differences.

Despite the canceled negotiations in 2008, both sides continued to observe their previous agreements on a cease-fire and the implementation of development programs by the MILF’s Bangsamoro Development Agency.

Deles said its past exploratory dealings with the MILF have pointed to a “very positive development that the talks would really resume, and it would be soon.”

At the sidelines of the increasing optimism toward a resumption of the talks, Deles said several countries and multilateral donor-agencies have shown eagerness to continue their financial and technical assistance to evacuees in Central Mindanao and to fund development projects in the conflict areas.

She said an interagency body has been formed and is doing an assessment of the situation of the evacuees, whose numbers exceeded 600,000 at the height of the violent reactions to the proposed signing in August 2008 of the MOA-AD.

Their number dwindled recently after some families returned to their villages.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/1317-malaysian-pm-accepts-malacanang-offer-to-renew-facilitators-role-in-milf-grp-talks

Thought so... Thanks. This is why I lost my royal title, i married a comonner :rofl:Ah you're one of the Emperors of the Mughal Empire. :lol:

OK, here's a list of the first 10 years of foreign visits of the Marcoses (mostly Imelda, of course) during the time I lived in Manila:

Sept 1966 - the first one...to Washington and to Japan

Dec 1967* - to Canberra, Australia, for Holt's funeral

Jan 1968 - state visit to Indonesia, Thailand & Malaysia (this was the one timed so that the Marcoses didn't have to attend the Lopezes' 40th anniversary fete)

May 68* - Imelda goes to the US for a check-up at Walter Reed in DC; takes the 3 kids to Disneyland

April 69 - Ike's fiuneral

May 69* - to Rome for Cardinal Rosales' investiture; and then
- Tehran on the way home; bonding-bonding w/ Farah Diba

[NOV 1969 - 1st legitimate re-election run of Marcos.]

June '70* - Expo '70 at Osaka

Sept 70 - Rome and London to enroll Bing-Bong in a UK school

Oct 71 - New Delhi, party at Persepolis, Iran; London, NY (shopping), Detroit

Mar 72 - another jaunt of La Imierda - London, madrid, Moscow, London

[Sept 21, 1972 - ILLEGAL imposition of Martial Law on trumped-up justification by Juan Ponce-Enrile.

Dec 1972 - Imelda almost assassinated at that place in Tondo]

Jan - Feb 73 - Washington, NYC, Texas, London, Rome - shopping, R&R, treatment for that botched assasination attempt on IRM. How the Phil. would've been saved if that poor, blessed man had actually succeeded in hacking her to pieces! Of course, Kokoy hired an incompetent stooge to do the deed. :-)

Nov 73 - Imelda again to NYC

May 74 - Sydney for inaugration of the new Opera House

Sept '74* - to Beijing...to schmooze with that grand old siopao himself, Mao

Nov 74 - to NYC again to open the new Philippine Center and at the same pick out the colors and curtains for "her" new townhouse" at the old location of the Philippine consular offices on East 66th Street. Tapos, London muli.

Feb 75 - Nepal for the coronation or wedding of their prince

March 75* - Egypt

And after that I stopped counting...but can you imagine in 1960-70's pesos & dollars, how much the shameless La Tekla spent of the Philippine treasury for her self-aggrandizing trips?? And she/they never paid back the poor Philippine people. I really hope she and them become nothing more than mere footnotes of history.

* - with one or 2 or 3 of the little brats

mukhang mas madami pa rin ang lamierda ni Gloria...

http://philembassy-uk.org/news_philippines_clip_image003.jpg

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III shakes hands with British Foreign Office Minister of State Jeremy Browne during a courtesy call on him Wednesday (July 21, 2010) in Malacanang. (PNA/NIB photo by R.Baniquet)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo holds a welcome ceremony in honor of her Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf in Manila April 19, 2005. Musharraf arrived here late Monday for a three-day visit to the Philippines.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200504/20/images/0419_B18.jpg

Pope John Paul II

http://www.editinternational.com/images/gallery/02-pope-on-plane_low.jpg

Ah you're one of the Emperors of the Mughal Empire. :lol:

Lintek, napa research tuloy ako kung saan ang Mughal Empire....:rofl:

Pareho pala tayong royal blood...he he

kahit nun pa pala nagbebenta na ng payong ang kalahi mo? hehe, peace

http://www.imagesofasia.com/html/india/images/large/mughal-emperor.jpg

Siyempre. Bili ka? mura lang 5/6 ang bayad....:rofl:

Philippines issues travel ban to Jordan

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued today an advisory for Filipinos against travels to Aqaba, Jordan.

Other countries already issued separate travel advisories in light of the tense security situation in the kingdom.

The US Embassy posted a warning on its Web site on Wednesday stating that "credible information has been received regarding a possible imminent threat in the Gulf of Aqaba region.”

The Philippine Embassy advised all Filipinos in Jordan to remain in their homes and avoid the port and crowded areas. -- Camille Erika Sarte


http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17865

ilang gives? wag yung masyadong marami ang palamuti, baka sumabit lang sa kung saan-san :D

Bakit? saan saan lupalop ka ba nag sisissiksik at napapasabit sabit ka????:rofl:

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo holds a welcome ceremony in honor of her Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf in Manila April 19, 2005. Musharraf arrived here late Monday for a three-day visit to the Philippines.



more photos

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Very nice!!

Bakit? saan saan lupalop ka ba nag sisissiksik at napapasabit sabit ka????:rofl:

dyan lang sa tabi-tabi

China bolsters ties with RP
Saturday, 18 September 2010 19:18

CHINA seeks to build stronger ties with the Philippines as both countries move towards marking “nearly four decades of harmonious relationships.”

This was conveyed by Minister Wang Chen of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) during a meeting with Presidential Communications

Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma at the conference of the China ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information held in Beijing on Wednesday.

Describing the August 23 hostage-taking drama in Manila as “a tragedy but an isolated incident,” Minister Chen expressed the Chinese government’s confidence that the government of President Benigno Aquino will “learn from the many lessons” taught by the hostage-taking incident.

For his part, Coloma assured Minister Chen that the Aquino government is determined to put in place improved crisis management measures, as well as implement continuous programs on upgrading the capability of police and security forces. Efren Montano

http://thepinoy.net/?page_id=13

Tsang: Help HK regain confidence in RP

by Manny Balbin
Saturday, 18 September 2010 20:22

HONG Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday said that he hopes that Philippine authorities have learned a lesson from the hostage incident at Quirino Grandstand.

The South China Morning Post quoted Tsang as saying, “I hope the authorities in the Philippines have learned a lesson and make certain they take remedial action, and particularly help Hong Kong people regain their confidence in their safety while travelling, doing business or as tourists in the Philippines.”

The Hong Kong leader refused to elaborate as he said that he only learned from newsmen that the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) has submitted its report on the tragedy to President Benigno Aquino III.


http://thepinoy.net/?page_id=13

EU appoints new envoys to RP, 26 other places

INQUIRER.net First Posted 08:53:00 09/19/2010 Filed Under: Europe, Diplomacy



MANILA, Philippines—The European Union has appointed a new head of delegation to the Philippines and 26 other places, it was learned.

In a news release from Brussels, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton named Guy Ledoux, a Frenchman, to head the EU delegation to the Philippines.

Ledoux, who will take over from Ambassador Alistair MacDonald after all his requirements are completed, used to head the European Economic and Trade Office.

Ashton, who is concurrent EU Commission Vice President, also appointed one deputy head of EU delegation—Carmen Cano de Lasala of Spain, to China. All appointments are “subject to the necessary requirements.”

The rest of the new appointments include: Markus Ederer to China, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut to Japan, Roeland Van De Geer to South Africa, Vygaudas Usackas to Afghanistan (already appointed in March as part of the 2010 rotation), Ettore Sequi to Albania, Alfonso Diez Torres to Argentina, Peter Sorensen to Macedonia, William Hanna to Bangladesh,

Joanna Wronecka to Jordan, Roberto Ridolfi to Uganda, Dominique Dellicour to Senegal, Javier Puyol Pinuela to Angola, Gerard McGovern to Botwana, Stephane De Loecker to Burundi, Tomasc Kozlowski to South Korea, Cristina Martins Barreira to Gabon, Philip Dimitrov to Georgia, Joaquin Gonzalez-Ducay to Guinea-Bissau,

Lut Fabert-Goossens to Haiti, Angelina Eichhorst to Lebanon, Paul Malin to Mozambique, Raul Fuentes Milani to Namibia, Lar-Gunnar Wigemark to Pakistan, Marc Ungeheuer to Singapore, Helene Cave to Chad, Gilles Hervio to Zambia, and Martin Dihm to Papua New Guinea.

The heads of delegation for Brazil and Iraq, as well as the deputy for the United States, have been “re-advertised.”

Of the appointments, Ashton said: "As promised to member-states, the European Parliament, and EU citizens, I have appointed the best people for the right jobs. I am extremely pleased by the calibre of those who applied for the posts.”

“I have consistently asked member-states and the EU institutions to put forward the brightest and best that Europe has to offer and I hope this will continue to be the case as we build the new European External Action Service, because EU citizens deserve to be represented by the best that Europe has to offer.”

The appointments addressed both “geographical and gender balance,” she said, admitting that there is “more to do.”

“All candidates must undergo medical examinations and necessary pre-posting training. Temporary agents are subject to verification of qualifications and other documents. Accreditation requests for Heads of Delegation are sent to host countries. The selected candidates take up duty only once accreditation of the host country has been granted,” according to the news release.

No US plans for RP, ASEAN trade deals

Trans-Pacific Partnership best bet for Philippines

THE PHILIPPINES may have to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal if it wants a trade pact with the United States, a visiting American official said on Friday.

Washington has no plans for a bilateral trade pact with the Philippines nor for a deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as it prefers to focus on the TPP becoming its link to Asian economies, US senior official to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Kurt Tong said.

"We’re not talking about [a bilateral trade pact with the Philippines] right now. We just have our hands full with ... the TPP," Mr. Tong told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of a lecture at the Asian Institute of Management, referring to the planned eight-country deal.

Negotiations currently include the US, Australia, Peru and Vietnam after the core group formed by Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Chile was expanded last March. A third round of talks is slated next month in Brunei in a bid to forge a "high-quality comprehensive 21st century free trade agreement (FTA)".

"And we’re not currently considering a US-ASEAN FTA," Mr. Tong added, noting sensitivities with one of the bloc’s members, military-ruled Myanmar.

"The nations of the [ASEAN] that are currently participating in the TPP anyway are the ones who have identified themselves as partners who are ready for participation in an FTA with the US," he said.

As such, the Philippines would do well to study whether it should join in the TPP talks instead, Mr. Tong added.

"What we’re focused on right now is the successful conclusion of the TPP. Because the US is the member of the TPP and other Southeast Asian nations are part of the TPP, that’s one potential avenue [for a deal with the Philippines]," he said.

"The Philippines can take a look at TPP and benchmark against that. We’ll be very interested to know the answer."

Sought for comment, Trade Undersecretary Adrian J. Cristobal, Jr. said the department was now studying new deals on top of existing pacts.

"[We are] reviewing all current trade agreements and studying potential new ones. Extensive consultations will also be conducted with relevant sectors," Mr. Cristobal said in a text message.

Trade department officials have told reporters the Philippines may need to join the TPP talks and forge other deals with major trading partners to keep up with its neighbors.

The US is the Philippines’ second largest export market so far this year after China and Hong Kong. Export sales to the US as of July accounted for 16.32% or $4.606 billion of the $28.223-billion total.


http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=18015

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I...

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)


These photos are funny! :lol:

Imelda Marcos at the UN
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/2214/philun1975231.jpg[/URL]

nagsalita pala si imelda sa UN?? ayus ah, anu pong papel nya jan??:D

:cheers:

Lagi naman nuon pinadadala ni Macoy yang si Imeldific sa mga international convention nuong araw, dahil ginagamit ni Imelda ang karisma niya, tulad kay kadaffi nuong araw, mas madali niyang napapakiusapan ang mga ito....

Very interesting thread. Thank you guys for sharing! :)

President Cory Aquino's historic speech (3 of 3) before the U.S. Congress (9-18-1986)

vn0ZbsEUUrg

Aquino to meet with Asean chairman, 2 Asean PMs

Written by Mia Gonzalez / Reporter
Tuesday, 21 September 2010 14:45

PRESIDENT Aquino’s scheduled meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet in New York could be seen as a way of compensating for his decision to skip a fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member as his first foreign destination as Chief Executive, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Asked whether the President’s decision to have a bilateral meeting with Nguyen—his first as Chief Executive—is to make up for breaking the Asean tradition, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a news briefing, “That’s possible because Vietnam is the chairman of Asean right now.”

Mr. Aquino will meet with Nguyen at the United Nations heaquarters in New York on Tuesday morning, local time.

Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said in separate interviews that since Vietnam is the current Asean chair, a bilateral meeting with Nguyen would be a way of upholding the Asean tradition.

“It was supposed to be, traditionally, you go to the chairman of Asean and we didn’t do that this time around. When you’re in the UN and you’re meeting in UN soil, so we can still say that we upheld the tradition of meeting with Vietnam. So it’s just the usual courtesy as they’re the chairman of Asean,” Carandang said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had recommended that the President go on state visits to Vietnam and Indonesia ahead of his US working visit, but the trips—supposed to be conducted one after the other—had to be shelved as Indonesia was reportedly unavailable to receive Mr. Aquino on the preferred dates.

Mr. Aquino had said he was scheduled to go to Hanoi for the Asean Leaders’ Summit in October anyway, so he would rather conduct his state visits to Vietnam and Indonesia around that time.

Lacierda said the meeting between Mr. Aquino and Nguyen was arranged since Vietnam chairs the Asean and they are both in New York.

Aside from Nguyen, the President is also set to have a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Carandang said Mr. Aquino is expected to meet with other Asean leaders and US President Barack Obama at the US-Asean Summit, to be held at the sidelines of the UNGA, but as a group during the meeting and not on a one-on-one basis.

Lacierda said in a news briefing there is no scheduled bilateral meeting between Mr. Aquino and Obama.

Asked whether Malacañang tried to seek a bilateral meeting between Mr. Aquino and Obama, Carandang said,
“There were examinations on both sides whether there would be a bilateral and then I  think a mutual decision was made that perhaps a bilateral could take place at some later date.” He said the US working visit is “really a business visit, it’s there to generate investments and jobs and that’s really what’s it all about this time around.”

Asked about the inclusion of former Sen. Manuel Roxas II in the President’s business delegation, Lacierda said Roxas is among Mr. Aquino’s unofficial “senior advisers” on trade and business matters, and would lend a “helping hand” to the President when he meets with business groups in the US.

“He listens to his counsel, he values his counsel  when needed on matters that are within the competence of Mar Roxas. He listens to him and asks him,” Lacierda said.

Carandang said Roxas developed valuable contacts in US business when he was a New York-based investment banker in Allen & Company.

“Senator Roxas personally knows many US business leaders and he’s met them many times  so he would be a big help  in connecting Philippine business with US business. Mar Roxas knows Warren Buffet, he knows a lot of the very influential businessmen. So Senator Roxas will be of great help there,” he said.

Lacierda said that Roxas, who is covered by the one-year ban on the appointment of losing candidates in the last elections, has no official title.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/1576-aquino-to-meet-with-asean-chairman-2-asean-pms

Aquino to meet Obama for the first time in New York

By JOSE KATIGBAK, STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated September 22, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (5) View comments

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will meet President Benigno Aquino III for the first time in New York on Friday at the 2nd US-ASEAN Leaders summit, a senior US official said.

Mr. Aquino arrived in San Francisco on Philippine Airlines flight PR 104 at 7:43 p.m. on Sept. 20 (10:43 a.m. yesterday Manila time) and went straight to Out Burger at the airport.

Consul-General Marciano Paynor Jr. welcomed the President and his entourage, an entry in the Palace website said.

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, said no one-on-one talks were scheduled between Obama and any ASEAN leader but the US president has reserved two hours of his time for the summit “to have the opportunity to speak to each of the leaders in a kind of formal and informal basis over lunch as well.”

It is the longest meeting Obama has scheduled on the sidelines of the United National General Assembly session and an indication of the importance the United States attaches to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The 1st US-ASEAN summit was held in Singapore in November 2009.

Obama first talked to Mr. Aquino last May when he telephoned the Filipino leader to congratulate him on his election victory.

“He (Obama) has enjoyed the ties he has been able to forge with a number of ASEAN leaders, including the leader of the Philippines, which is of course one of America’s very close friends and allies in that part of the world,” Rhodes said in response to a query from The STAR in a White House conference call.

Rhodes said he expected President Obama to follow up a thorny issue raised by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the tangled dispute between China and some ASEAN members over control of the Spratly and Paracel islands in the South China Sea.

“It’s obviously an issue of interest and concern to the ASEAN countries and to the United States,” he said.

At an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Hanoi in July, Clinton said the US has a national interest in seeing territorial disputes in the South China Sea resolved through a “collaborative diplomatic process by all claimants.”

Beijing, which prefers to deal with each claimant individually, blasted Clinton’s remarks as US interference in its affairs.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam are among ASEAN’s 10-member nations with claims to disputed territories in the South China Sea.

President Obama is scheduled to deliver his UN speech on Thursday and then have separate one-on-one meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

He will also have separate meetings on Friday with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Colombia and Kyrgyzstan before hosting the ASEAN luncheon.

Aquino is scheduled as the 9th speaker at the UN General Assembly on Friday but should the timing interfere with the 1 p.m.-3 p.m. US-ASEAN summit his aides will try to move the schedule around.

Being a bachelor, Mr. Aquino will not be represented in a lunch to be hosted by US First Lady Michelle Obama for spouses of heads of state participating in the UN General Assembly.

Rights group’s appeal

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Watch urged President Aquino to openly voice support for the creation of an international commission to investigate human rights abuses in Burma, renamed Myanmar by the ruling junta.

In a letter, Human Rights Watch Asia Division Deputy Director Elaine Pearson urged Mr. Aquino to raise the issue before the ASEAN summit on Sep. 24.

“The Aquino government should be a leader in ASEAN to actively address human rights abuses in Burma. ASEAN should promote justice rather than continuing to take a hands-off approach to abuses among its members,” Pearson said.

She said Mr. Aquino in his inaugural address had emphasized the need for just punishments for human rights abuses lest “we give consent to their occurring over and over again.”

“This rings particularly true for Burma. The abuses by Burma’s military government, as well as by armed ethnic minority groups, have gone unpunished for decades,” she said.

In promoting human rights in Myanmar, Pearson said Mr. Aquino would be following the lead of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

In a June 1999 speech before the Forum on Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific, Mrs. Aquino said “there is something in the Filipinos’ sense of justice that recoils at the thought that justice should elude, after all these years, the Burmese people – kind, gentle, hardworking, but also brave and persevering.”

In March, Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, called on the UN to consider the possibility of establishing a Commission of Inquiry that would probe the junta’s human rights abuses.

Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are among the countries that have already publicly announced their support for such an inquiry.

“The situation in Burma presents an opportunity for President Aquino to back his rhetoric on human rights with action,” Pearson said. “Supporting an International Commission of Inquiry is in line with past Philippine practice of raising concerns about Burma’s human rights record,” she added. – With Aurea Calica and Pia Lee-Brago

Ferdinand Marcos also had a speech at the US Congress in 1966

ZGCuEXxt6eY

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Tsang: Help HK regain confidence in RP

by Manny Balbin
Saturday, 18 September 2010 20:22

HONG Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday said that he hopes that Philippine authorities have learned a lesson from the hostage incident at Quirino Grandstand.

The South China Morning Post quoted Tsang as saying, “I hope the authorities in the Philippines have learned a lesson and make certain they take remedial action, and particularly help Hong Kong people regain their confidence in their safety while travelling, doing business or as tourists in the Philippines.”

The Hong Kong leader refused to elaborate as he said that he only learned from newsmen that the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) has submitted its report on the tragedy to President Benigno Aquino III.


http://thepinoy.net/?page_id=13

Agree on this but they should know that for so long, no similar incident happened against HK tourists in the country. I hope it won't happen again and our authorities are better equipped to deal with the situation.

Aquino loses chance with absence in ASEM

Thursday, 23 September 2010 00:00
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By Bernice Camille V. Bauzon Reporter

IN the cancelation of his attendance to the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), President Benigno Aquino 3rd lost an opportunity to meet European leaders and discuss with them pertinent matters for the Philippines, such as its business climate, trade agreement, human rights and piracy issues and partnership cooperation between attending nations, the Belgian envoy to Manila told The Manila Times Tuesday.
But Belgian Ambassador to Manila Christian Meerschman said that Mr. Aquino’s non-attendance to the ASEM is also “a lost opportunity for us [European Union].”

“It was an opportunity for the new president to meet all his counterparts,” the envoy said, adding though that he remains optimistic there will be other opportunities for Mr. Aquino to meet with European and Asian leaders.

Meerschman also said that the meeting is an opportunity for the President to show the world that there is “change” in the Philippines.“ . . . that there is a new president, that we have a new administration. [He] can show what changes [will implement] from the old administration,” he added.

“A lot of [ways for] progress can be proposed to the Philippines [in the ASEM],” the envoy told The Times.

But during the preliminary activities for the ASEM, Anne Bloemen, administrative attaché of the Belgian embassy in Manila, noted that the Philippines has been very active on piracy and counter-terrorism issues.

The ASEM, which happens every two years, gathers around world leaders from Asian and European countries to discuss economic and other issues pertaining to their countries’ developments.

Meerschman said that out of the 27 members of the European Union, 22 world heads of state would attend while only four out of the invited Asian nations will not attend.

He said that Myanmar, India, Indonesia and the Philippines are the only ones whose heads will not be able to join the meeting.

The ambassador, however, welcomed the decision of the President to send Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo instead.

Earlier, Mr. Aquino cancelled his attendance to the meeting, citing that most of the world leaders he hoped to meet would also not be able to join the said event. The Foreign Affairs department, on the other hand, said that the cancellation of the Brussels trip is in line with the aim of the government to cut back on expenses.

Among the activities in the ASEM are different meetings between heads of state, as well as people to people meeting, Asian-European business forums and an exhibition of each country’s artifacts, which the Philippines joined.

“What the Philippines sent to Brussels is quite unique,” the ambassador said, referring to artifacts of particular tribes in the northern part of the country.

Meerschman said that the priority of European nations is Asian countries as they are among the developing economies today.

“European companies are eager to come to the Philippines [and invest],” he said, adding that Brussels place a lot of importance to the country since it is home to about 100 million people and that the Philippines “better understand what is our opinion on things.”

He noted that European investments in the country tend to fall under the categories of technology, food industry, renewable energy and solar energy. He also said that there are lots of Belgian factories in the country.

Meerschman, however, lamented the absence of a free trade agreement between Brussels and Manila that contributes to the lacking trade relationship between the two countries.

He said he is hoping that an already drafted trade agreement will be passed soon as to further boost the two nations’ economic relationship.


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/26763-aquino-loses-chance-with-absence-in-asem

Noy accepts Vietnam leader's invitation to visit Hanoi in October

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated September 23, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (1) View comments


http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5144/gen15r.jpg

President Aquino meets Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet at the UN headquarters in New York.

NEW YORK – President Aquino has accepted the invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet for a state visit to Hanoi in October.

The President’s visit to Vietnam and Indonesia, slated before his trip to the US, was cancelled due to conflict of schedule.

Vietnam currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We value Vietnam as a good friend and strategic partner. We are confident that these ties will only become stronger. I look forward to the continuation of the excellent bilateral relations that our two countries share in diverse areas of interest,” Mr. Aquino told Nguyen during a bilateral meeting at the hotel where the Philippine President was billeted.

The Philippines and Vietnam will celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations in 2011.

In 2008, the two countries achieved their target of $2 billion worth of bilateral trade. The Philippines also imports rice from Vietnam.

“We can achieve more, which should be a key agenda in our relations in the next few years,” Mr. Aquino said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Nguyen told Aquino that he was looking forward to the Philippine president’s visit to Vietnam next month.

Romulo and Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Libran Cabactulan were with the President during the meeting.

“The meeting went well and because of the very meaningful exchange during this first encounter between the two leaders, I expect President Aquino’s visit to Vietnam in October to be meaningful and successful,” Romulo said.

In the upcoming visit of Aquino, four agreements are expected to be signed that would institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the areas of higher education, defense, and maritime affairs.

Romulo said the bilateral meeting between Mr. Aquino and Nguyen was not really to compensate for the cancellation of the state visit that was earlier planned since both sides were not able to fix the dates before.

As part of tradition, the President should visit an ASEAN country first before embarking on other foreign trips.

Romulo said Mr. Aquino had to defer his earlier planned visit to Vietnam and Indonesia because of pressing domestic issues such as the Aug. 23 hostage crisis in Manila.

He said the two countries understood that the President would have to attend to the issues involving the hostage crisis, including the investigation of the case. – With Pia Lee-Brago

^^ Cory looks downright dowdy in her outfits compared to Imelda.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/sep2010/phil-s23.shtml
Philippine president visits US amid rising regional tensions
By Joseph Santolan
23 September 2010

Philippine President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino travelled to the United States this week to participate in the UN General Assembly meeting and the second US-Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders meeting. He will be seeking major investments by US corporations in Philippine infrastructure under the auspices of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative.

Aquino has not travelled outside the Philippines for over a decade and this is his first trip abroad as president. In the course of the presidential election campaign, he did not elaborate a clear foreign policy, but he is connected to and backed by sections of the Philippine business community with close ties to the US.

Like the previous Arroyo administration and other countries throughout the region, Aquino is faced with balancing between his country’s growing economic dependence on China and its longstanding ties with the US, the former colonial power. The dilemma has only worsened over the past year as the Obama administration sharply increased its pressure on China and sought to undercut Chinese influence in South East Asia.

Aquino will play a key role at the US ASEAN dialogue summit as the Philippines is the country coordinator for negotiations for the period 2009 to 2011. The main concern at the summit this week is the South China Sea, which is a vital global trade route and a potential source of considerable mineral wealth. It is also an area where China has longstanding territorial disputes with neighbouring countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Speaking in Hanoi in July, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointedly called for multilateral negotiations over disputes in the South China Sea, with the United States working as mediator to insure continued free lanes of shipping and access to regional waters. China, which claims the right to control shipping in the South China Sea, has long advocated bilateral negotiations with the South East Asian countries involved.

By stepping into the dispute, the US has effectively backed ASEAN countries against China. A draft resolution prepared for this week’s US-ASEAN dialogue stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea—a step that will only further inflame the issue. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu warned the US this week not to interfere in the South China Sea, saying that China had “indisputable sovereign rights in the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters”.

Tensions over control of key shipping lanes in the South China Sea are evident in the naval moves by both the US and China. The USS George Washington has been robustly asserting US navigation “rights” in the region. After recently entertaining Vietnamese officials off the coast of Vietnam, the huge aircraft carrier stopped in Manila Bay earlier this month on a “friendship visit”. The previous month, a Chinese naval flotilla docked in Manila Bay on a visit of “friendship” while returning from Vietnam.

Differences have already emerged in the Aquino administration over the issue. Responding to Clinton’s remarks in July, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo declared on August 9: “Southeast Asian nations do not need US help in solving territorial disputes with China over the potentially resource-rich South China Sea. Negotiations should be strictly between ASEAN and China, without the US or any other party.” It is not clear, however, that Aquino supported Romulo’s comments.

The Philippine Navy last week announced that it was beginning construction of tourist facilities on Pag-asa Island in the disputed Spratly island chain. China’s Ambassador to the Philippines quickly declared that this was not a welcome development. A confrontation between Philippine and Chinese naval vessels in July resulted in the firing of warning shots.

Relations between China and Philippines have also deteriorated following a hostage crisis in Manila on August 23 in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed. The Chinese government has issued a travel alert against the Philippines and the Philippines has ceased promoting tourism in Hong Kong. In the latest twist, Aquino’s decision to send the findings of an investigation into the conduct of the Philippine police to Beijing for approval before its public release has provoked an outcry in the Philippine press.

The Aquino administration is attempting to pursue a perilous course between Washington and Beijing. It cannot afford to lurch too far one way or the other. The country’s economic reliance on China is evident in the latest figures from the National Statistics Office released September 8. Exports rose 36 percent in July, led primarily by the Chinese market. Bilateral trade between the Philippines and China grew by 52.5 percent in the first half of 2010, to $US13.1 billion.

One purpose of Aquino’s trip is to try to attract more investment from the US. He is being accompanied by a large group of business people—a veritable who’s who of the Philippine corporate elite. In his departure statement, Aquino declared: “We have embarked on his journey to send a message to the world, and particularly to one of our largest trading partners, the United States of America: The Philippines is open for business.”

Central to Aquino’s economic strategy is his Private Public Partnerships Initiative, which aims to attract private investment into public infrastructure by licensing corporations to operate and charge for its use on completion. Aquino has slated 740 billion pesos ($US16.9 billion) in infrastructure projects through PPP investment and is looking for US investment. Among the projects are airports, roads, railways, water supply, irrigation, school buildings, health facilities and solid waste management.

Similar initiatives under the Arroyo administration foundered over a lack of transparency in the negotiation process, bribery scandals, and court orders preventing private investors from imposing additional fees. To counteract the impact of these failures, the Aquino administration announced this week that it would offer insurance to guarantee the profits of private investors in PPP projects. Citigroup responded by announcing that it expected the Philippines credit rating to go up.

Aquino is unlikely to obtain all, or even most, of the proposed 740 billion pesos in PPP investment from US investors. In the past, American investors have been hesitant to invest in joint infrastructural projects with the Philippine government; the majority of previous infrastructure investment has come from East Asia, predominantly China. Chinese investors have already indicated an eagerness to participate in the new insured PPP projects.

Aquino faces pressure from both the United States and China in the coming week as he attempts to appease and maintain economic ties with the rival powers. The Philippine business community, including those travelling with Aquino, is split between those with strong ties to the United States and those with strong ties to China. Aquino will find it increasingly difficult to satisfy the demands of both.

Agree on this but they should know that for so long, no similar incident happened against HK tourists in the country. I hope it won't happen again and our authorities are better equipped to deal with the situation.

True, an isolated case. This kind of incident does not happen often. For now, HK would lift down the black travel warning on The Philippines. Having such status will give an impression this place is more dangerous than Iraq or Somalia.

...

Spanish government to fund P215-M projects in provinces

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/26846-spanish-government-to-fund-p215-m-projects-in-provinces

Friday, 24 September 2010 00:00

By Bernice Camille V. Bauzon Reporter

THE Spanish government will contribute P215 million (3.5 million euros) for the development of school buildings, daycare centers and barangay health stations in certain areas in Bicol, Caraga and Aurora, its embassy in Manila said Thursday.


In a statement, the Spanish embassy in Manila said that the P215-million funding falls under the conditional cash transfer program of Spain to the Philippines to combat poverty.

The program prioritizes provinces such as Albay, Masbate, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur in Bicol, as well as Dinagat, Agusan Sur and Surigao Sur in Caraga. The Spanish government also runs the conditional cash transfer program in Aurora in Central Luzon.

“The project aims to reduce poverty by funding at barangay-level the construction of the infrastructures and facilities which are keys to provide access to basic social services,” the statement said.

“The Spanish intervention aims to complement the supply-side of the Conditional Cash Transfer Program of the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development],” it added.

This financial support is being implemented through the “Empowerment and Prosperity of the Community Project” phases five and six. The Spanish government has partnered with the Social Welfare and Development department for the project’s implementation.

In the previous phases of the project, the Spanish Development Cooperation has disbursed a total of 8 million euros. The previous phases of the community projects have been successfully executed, the statement said.

“This program represents the continued commitment of the Government of Spain to development assistance towards the Philippines, a country that has been a priority for the Spanish cooperation for many years,” the statement said.

It added that Spain remains a large contributor to the Philippines when it comes to country donors, especially as it contributed a total of P2.19 billion (33.7 million euros) for official development assistance projects only in the year 2009.

The official regional launching of Poder 6 took place in Naga City Thursday. It was presided over by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Spanish Ambassador to Manila Luis Arias-Romero.

....

:okay:

Beijing police launch anti-terror drill simulating Philippine hostage crisis
14:33, September 24, 2010
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7148912.html
Beijing police launched a large-scale anti-terror drill on Thursday to simulate the bus hostage crisis that happened one month ago in the Philippines.

About 400 police officers participated in the drill, in which special equipment such as helicopters and assault vehicles were used, said Liu Gensheng, a spokesman for the Patrolling Special Police Corps at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The drill simulated a group of "armed terrorists" hijacking two buses and taking passengers hostage while another group of hostage-taking "terrorists" confronted police officers in a three-story shopping center, Liu said.

"Before the drill, we studied the rescue operation in the Philippine hostage crisis," he said.

"The purpose of the drill is to test the combat power of Beijing's special police and demonstrate the resolve of the police to crack down on violent crimes and maintain social stability," he added.

Security officials and police liaison officers from foreign embassies in Beijing, domestic and overseas journalists and dozens of citizens were invited to watch the drill.

A dismissed policeman hijacked a tour bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists in Manila on Aug. 23. The incident ended with eight tourists dead and several others injured. The hostage-taker was also killed during the police assault.

The Philippine police have been criticized for mishandling the ill-fated rescue operation.

The Philippine authorities have shared with China an inquiry report on the incident.

"The long report needs time to be studied earnestly. At this stage, the report shows that the Philippine side takes the issue seriously and sincerely, and the Chinese side gives affirmation in this regard," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference Tuesday.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7148912.html

Colourful characters are indeed most interesting. :D I stumbled upone this vid and I recognised the chinese Dragon Lady ~ wife of Mao Ze Dong, Spain's Queen Sofia, Empress Farah of Iran, Pope John Paul II, President Ronald Reagan & First Lady Nancy Reagan among others. :D

Here is one song for the colourful Imelda done in classic Tango. All for the sake of Art, of course. :D

Well, the vid contains interesting State visits anyway. :D :D :D

La guapa Imelda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJTkTIgtvg

GgJTkTIgtvg

fonsucu | October 05, 2009

Fotografías de Imelda Romuáldez de Marcos, viuda del fallecido dictador filipino Ferdinand Marcos.

Canción: Yira, de Carlos Gardel

LETRA

Cuando la suerte, que es grela,
fallando y fallando
te largue parao....
Cuando estés bien en la vía,
sin rumbo, desesperao...
Cuando no tengas ni fe,
ni yerba de ayer
secándose al sol....
Cuando rajés los tamangos
buscando ese mango
que te haga morfar...
la indiferencia del mundo
que es sordo y es mudo
recién sentirás.

Verás que todo es mentira,
verás que nada es amor...
que al mundo nada le importa
Yira...Yira...
Aunque te quiebre la vida,
aunque te muerda un dolor,
no esperes nunca una ayuda,
ni una mano, ni un favor...

Cuando estén secas las pilas
de todos los timbres
que vos apretás,
buscando un pecho fraterno
para morir abrazao...
Cuando te dejen tirao
después de cinchar,
lo mismo que a mí...
Cuando manyés que a tu lado
se prueban la ropa
que vas a dejar...
¡Te acordarás de este otario
que un día, cansado,
se puso a ladrar!

:dj:
:lol:

...

...

...

na-meet ni Pnoy si Obama without stalking him wahahaha. up yours GMA!

Looks like Aquino is the talest asian leaders up there, I'm surprised he is not that short from Obama when I believe obama is 6-2

Pres B.Aquino with Singapore Prime Min. Lee Hsien Loong in New York
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/4338/philus2010singaporeprim.jpg[/URL]

bottled water and plastic cups!!! :okay:

Aquino hails RP-Singapore air pact in meeting with premier

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:47:00 09/25/2010

NEW YORK – Prosperous city-state Singapore recognizes the many opportunities for trade and investment in the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said on Friday after a meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“During the meeting, President Aquino emphasized the strengths of the Philippine economy and the many opportunities for trade and investment. These were recognized and welcomed by Prime Minister Lee,” said Romulo, who was with Mr. Aquino.

“It is in this particular context that President Aquino expressed his satisfaction over the success of the recent air services negotiations between the Philippines and Singapore which would result in increased tourism flows and investments between the two countries,” he added.

Under the expanded bilateral air services pact, Singapore and Philippine carriers will be allowed to fly up to 14 times weekly to and from each other’s capitals.

These would translate to up to 32 flights a week by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to Singapore.

Also present during the meeting were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo.

Mr. Aquino thanked Lee for an invitation to visit Singapore.

There are now more than 160,000 Filipinos living and working in Singapore and Mr. Aquino and Lee recognized their contributions and the importance of their rights getting upheld and their safety getting ensured.

President Aquino also thanked Lee for Singapore’s grant of scholarships to Filipinos to pursue their education in the city state.

“We look forward to better and deeper exchanges of human talent and energy,” Mr. Aquino said.

The two Southeast Asian leaders also discussed progress within the Asean, the expansion of the East Asia Summit, the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights and Asean Connectivity.

They also exchanged views on regional issues such as the upcoming elections in Myanmar and climate change.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20100925-294272/Aquino-hails-RP-Singapore-air-pact-in-meeting-with-premier

President Aquino, Singapore PM Lee agree to further boost trade, investment ties
MANILA, Sept. 25 (PNA) -- Trade and economic relations will be further strengthened between the Philippines and Singapore as a result of the meeting Friday (Saturday in Manila) between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Meeting while in NewYork for the 65th United Nations General Assembly, the two leaders discussed the state of bilateral relations and agreed to further boost these particularly in the areas of trade and investments.

“During the meeting, President Aquino emphasized the strengths of the Philippine economy and the many opportunities for trade and investment. These were recognized and welcomed by Prime Minister Lee,” according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, who was with President Aquino during the meeting. Also with the President during the meeting were Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima and Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo.

“It is in this particular context that President Aquino expressed his satisfaction over the success of the recent air services negotiations between the Philippines and Singapore which would result in increased tourism flows and investments between the two countries,” Romulo said.

Under the expanded bilateral air services deal, Singapore and Philippine carriers will be allowed to fly up to 14 weekly services to and from each other’s capitals. These would translate to up to 32 flights a week by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to Singapore weekly.

The two leaders also recognized the contributions being made by Filipinos in Singapore and the importance of assuring their rights and safety. There are currently more than 160,000 Filipinos living and working in Singapore.

President Aquino also thanked Prime Minister Lee for Singapore’s grant of scholarships to Filipinos to pursue their education in the city state. “We look forward to better and deeper exchanges of human talent and energy,” he said.

The two Southeast Asian leaders also discussed progress within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) where they are members, particularly on the expansion of the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, and ASEAN Connectivity.

They likewise shared views on regional issues such as the upcoming elections in Myanmar and climate change.

Meanwhile, President Aquino thanked Prime Minister Lee for his invitation to visit Singapore. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=302816

http://www.pna.gov.ph/images/ph2-250910_GN-9.jpg

President Aquino shakes hands with UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York

http://www.pna.gov.ph/images/ph3-250910_GN-10.jpg

President Aquino exchanges pleasantries with Malaysian Prime Minister at the UN Headquarters in New York

Source (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=21)

Looks like Aquino is the talest asian leaders up there, I'm surprised he is not that short from Obama when I believe obama is 6-2No. It seems that Lee Hsien Long is the tallest.

^^ look at our flag, baliktad. the red is above, the blue is below.

US: Inverted RP flag an ‘honest mistake’
09/26/2010 | 09:31 PM

The United States has apologized for the inverted Philippine flag placed at one of the events attended by President Benigno Aquino III there, saying it was an honest mistake.

"This was an honest mistake. The US treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated this past week during President Aquino’s trip to the US, with the signing of the MCC Compact, the US-ASEAN meeting, and the meeting of our two Presidents that followed it," US Embassy in Manila spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a short statement posted on the Official Gazette website Sunday night.

The Philippine flag was inverted during the leaders' meeting of the US and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in New York Saturday morning (Manila time).

http://www.gmanews.tv/webpics/infotech/rpflag.jpg
A presidential photo taken at the ASEAN-US leaders' meeting in New York shows the Philippine flag inverted, with the red field atop the blue. The photo was still online at the Official Gazette website as of 7 p.m. Sunday.

A photo of the inverted flag was still online as of Sunday night at the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

In the photo, the Philippine flag was shown with the red field up, indicating the country is at war. The blue field is above the red field when the country is at peace.

President Aquino attended the ASEAN-US leaders' meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York before addressing the United Nations General Assembly. He is now in California and is due to return to Manila at 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Philippine foreign affairs department spokesman Ed Malaya said the government understood that it was "an honest error" that "should not detract from the true significance of the summit, which showed the unprecedented cooperation between the ASEAN and the US"

It was not immediately clear who pointed out the mistake. A photograph of President Aquino sitting beside US President Barack Obama with the inverted flag behind them was displayed on a government website Sunday but its caption did not point out the error.

During the summit, Obama discussed ways of bolstering economic ties between the US and Southeast Asia as well as Asian regional concerns such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and Nov. 7 elections in military-ruled Myanmar.- with AP/KBK, GMANews.TV

double' post

^^ look at our flag, baliktad. the red is above, the blue is below.

The US State Department send an apology on that inverted flag incident already.

Or maybe the Philippines is really in a distress situation to get some assistance kaya baliktad. :D

^^ How come nobody from P. Noy's delegation called the attention of the inverted flag??? It should have been corrected immediately.

Safety first in our `unsmiling city'

Monday, September 27, 2010


In press reports over the past few days Philippine columnist Ramon Tulfo has criticized Hong Kong as being the most arrogant, discourteous, and "never- smiling" city ever - the subject of complaints by people from all over the world.

He writes about some personal experiences in suffering at the hands of Hong Kong people. We shall examine those in a moment.

His indignation and wrath against Hong Kong (and China) stem from his interpretation over the way his country's government handled the inquiry report on the Manila hostage crisis.

Tulfo complains that his government overstepped the mark by overly appeasing Beijing and Hong Kong by giving copies of the inquiry report to those governments before its circulation within the Philippines. Presumably he feels this action undignified and derogatory.

Looking at the incident again we find that there were only people from Hong Kong killed or injured, and they were all innocent victims whose only fault was to be tourists in Tulfo's country.

The Philippines wants tourists badly, and must ensure they not only have acceptable facilities, but are protected against bad shop keepers, bad restaurant staff and bad policemen. He experienced all three services in Hong Kong.

Failure to adequately protect tourists would - as in this case - result in them staying away and as a responsible government, which Hong Kong is, we have advised our folks to stay away.

So to win back our trust the host country needs to convince tourists wo
rldwide that the Philippines is a safe place to visit.

Therefore the report as to why and how Hong Kong tourists were killed or injured should be provided to the Hong Kong government, per our request. (Note this term instead of "demand," which shows we are sensitive and courteous).

As for allegations of rudeness by our service personnel, I can only say that in my years as a police officer and all my life in the community, I have witnessed courtesy, kindness, sympathy and empathy towards tourists and the destitute.

Yes, we do have service staff who are rude and unscrupulous and we do expose them when discovered.

We have myriad channels to make complaints, which is perhaps why we are quick to do so. Severe punishment may result should the offense be to the detriment of Hong Kong. And it is true we don't smile enough.

Instead of making a war of words, why not consider the lessons which can be learned by governments and security agencies? It is only by using the experience learned from this tragedy that we can honor and remember the dead and injured.

JS Lam served with Hong Kong police - `Asia's Finest' - for 32 years, reaching the rank of senior superintendent before retiring in 1996.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=5&art_id=103247&sid=29719682&con_type=3&d_str=20100927&fc=1

US: Inverted RP flag an ‘honest mistake’
09/26/2010 | 09:31 PM

The United States has apologized for the inverted Philippine flag placed at one of the events attended by President Benigno Aquino III there, saying it was an honest mistake.

"This was an honest mistake. The US treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated this past week during President Aquino’s trip to the US, with the signing of the MCC Compact, the US-ASEAN meeting, and the meeting of our two Presidents that followed it," US Embassy in Manila spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a short statement posted on the Official Gazette website Sunday night.

The Philippine flag was inverted during the leaders' meeting of the US and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in New York Saturday morning (Manila time).

http://www.gmanews.tv/webpics/infotech/rpflag.jpg
A presidential photo taken at the ASEAN-US leaders' meeting in New York shows the Philippine flag inverted, with the red field atop the blue. The photo was still online at the Official Gazette website as of 7 p.m. Sunday.


I wonder what could be the situation if it is the Philippines who incidentally inverted the US flag... :)

First time ba itong nangyari sa isang high-end na meeting? If so, parang medyo daming di magandang signs sa pagsisimula ni Noynoy... :D

I wonder what could be the situation if it is the Philippines who incidentally inverted the US flag... :)

First time ba itong nangyari sa isang high-end na meeting? If so, parang medyo daming di magandang signs sa pagsisimula ni Noynoy... :D

lol, wag kang ganyan oi!!:D kung saka sakali, buong pilipinas maghihirap nyan...:D:hahano:

anyway, bakit nga kaya di napansin kaagad nila noynoy yan, maybe he's just too busy... o kaya excited nang makausap si Obama...:D

^^Ang pagkapanalo pa lang ni Binay as bise-presidente ay isa ring masamang sign...:lol:

Anyway, marami naman talagang magandang nangyari sa ekonomiya natin ngayon. :) Overall, maganda pa rin ang kinabukasan nang bansa natin. Sana, huwag masira ang momentum... :)

ang pogi ni PNoy..hehehe

^^ I think all of the bad things were paving their way for the very good ones...

Just my imagination, just my imagination... (To the tune of the Cranberries...)

lol, wag kang ganyan oi!!:D kung saka sakali, buong pilipinas maghihirap nyan...:D:hahano:

anyway, bakit nga kaya di napansin kaagad nila noynoy yan, maybe he's just too busy... o kaya excited nang makausap si Obama...:D

mukhang nage-enjoy naman si noynoy. http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/images/smilies/hihi.gif

http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-09270228210577.jpg

No. It seems that Lee Hsien Long is the tallest.

I guess you were right!

Long Queue Continues at RP Pavilion in Shanghai

By ISABEL C. DE LEON
September 27, 2010, 7:40pm

SHANGHAI – So, who’s afraid of Filipinos?

Not the Chinese people, and definitely not the other foreign tourists who braved the long queue to get to the “party place” which is the Philippine Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010.

The Philippine Pavilion, famous for its rotating live performances, Filipino food and “hilot” massage, registered its 6 millionth visitor on September 21, exactly 144 days after the Shanghai Expo 2010 opened in May.

“We are confident that we will reach the 7.9 million projected number of visitors to our Pavilion at the end of the Expo on October 31,” said Tess Mauricio, Pavilion Manager.

Mauricio admits that it’s the music that’s been drawing visitors to the Philippine Pavilion and the active interaction that they can get out of the experience. Add to this the free 10-minute massage, if they will patiently fall in line.

Consul Ma. Roseni M. Alvero of the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai admits that they expected the worst after the August 23 hostage-taking crisis in Manila.

“As far as trade (between the Philippines and China) is concerned, it has not been affected. Tourism is the hardest hit, though. But we are okay here. As a matter of fact, the government, through the local police, even went to the Consulate and asked us if we were okay and if we needed additional security. That was a very good gesture on the part of the Chinese government,” Alvero said.

At the Expo site, additional plainclothes policemen were deployed to secure the Philippine Pavilion immediately after the hostage crisis in Manila.

“Our visitors even grew (in number). There were no threats and we have maintained our daily average share,” said Jojo de Veyra of the Department of Tourism. This includes a group of artists, all winners of the Philippine Art Awards 2010 who were recently brought to the Expo by the Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. headed by Chris Nelson.

But the concessionaire of souvenir items inside the pavilion admitted a marked reduction in sales, but the food concessionaire – Travel Café Philippines – reported good business.

Chinese and foreign visitors eating Pancit Bam-I, Kaldereta, Pakbet, Turon, Halo-Halo, Leche Flan and Brazo de Mercedes have become a common sight at the Expo. The Chinese visitors are partial to Pork Barbeque, Pancit, Spaghetti, and Adobo.

Mikhail Camacho, a Chinese-Filipino volunteer, said that while there were a few “short stabs” immediately after the hostage crisis, there were more statements of support and sympathy that they got, notably from a Hong Kong national, a lady in her mid-40s.

“I know about the incident and I wish you peace in your country,” the lady told Camacho. So far, the general impression that visitors get at the Philippine Pavilion in the Expo is that the Filipinos are a warm and happy people.

“They enter our pavilion curious. Pag lumabas na sila, masaya sila and they keep coming back for more,” Mauricio said.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/279334/long-queue-continues-rp-pavilion-shanghai

Not at first in the pictures I saw before. Some of these pics posted were under imageshack or something and it does not always load right away, some takes 2 or 3 days before it would be visible on my PC's screen. I don't have the program because I use Photobucket.

^anong laro yan???

China may be losing its charm

China may be undermining its effort to build strong ties with its neighbors and draw them away from the U. orbit as it seeks to impose its will in territorial disputes with Japan and Southeast Asian nations.

Relations between Asia’s two biggest economies deteriorated to the lowest point in five years during the 17-day detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain before Japanese authorities last week decided to release him. China opposed US-South Korea military exercises aimed at deterring North Korea, and dismissed regional efforts to mediate maritime territorial claims.

Those positions reflect a more assertive diplomatic role in Asia over the past decade as China developed into Asia’s biggest economy. China set up a regional forum, flooded Malaysia and Thailand with tourists, boosted economic aid to countries including the Philippines, and participated inAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations security dialogues.

“China has tried to establish an image in the region as a nice guy, but all of this could be in a shambles right now,” said Huang Jing, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. “The real issue here is whether Beijing cares.”

China’s stance may benefit US-Japan relations strained by a dispute over relocating American troops.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and President Barack Obama in New York met Sept. 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and “reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the US-Japan alliance,” according to a White House statement.

Kan in June succeeded Yukio Hatoyama, who made improving Chinese ties key to his administration and said in December that “Japan-China relations are developing in a strategically beneficial way.”

Hatoyama resigned in June after signing an agreement with the US. to keep a Marine base in Okinawa over the objections of local residents and members of his government. Bloomberg


http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/september/28/news9.isx&d=2010/september/28

Fears grow for British expat missing in Philippines
Fears are growing for a British businesswoman who has gone missing in the Philippines.

Carole Day, 56, was last seen leaving her hotel in Manila on September 12 to visit a showroom her furniture business.

She was due to fly on to Thailand but never showed up for her flight. She was also due in London for a wedding this week.
Mrs Day lives in Hong Kong, where her late husband Richard was a high court judge, with their sons Jai, 25, and Jamie, 21.

Jai, an actor, has flown to Manila to help find her. He told the Evening Standard: “We're a very close family - Dad passed away six years ago so it's just the three of us.

“My brother and I are very worried. Mum's the kind of person who would phone you three times a day just to see how you are. When I last spoke to her she was fine, normal. It's a mystery.”

Friends and family of Mrs Day have launched an appeal for information on Facebook.

Mr Day said: “I spent all day at the airport yesterday. According to the flight manifests and immigration records she hasn't left the Philippines.

“I've been to all the hospitals and there are no unidentified women of her description. She had no reason to go missing, and if she'd been kidnapped we would have had a ransom. It's been nearly two weeks and I have no idea what might have happened. It's very frustrating.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/8026859/Fears-grow-for-British-expat-missing-in-Philippines.html

...

...

...

...

...

Ferdinand Marcos also had a speech at the US Congress in 1966

ZGCuEXxt6eY

amazing, haven't seen this video yet... thanks for sharing!!:okay:
_____________________
anyway:


http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/photos-sep2010/ph2-230910_JM-3.jpg

NEW YORK CITY – President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Dr. Henry Alfred Kissinger at the Sofitel Hotel on Thursday (Manila time), Sept. 23, 2010.



US Sec. of State Henry Kissinger (lol palagi yan nagpupunta dyan nuon :D) aboard the Philippine Presidential Yacht on return trip from Corregidor Island (December 7, 1975) [AP/Wide World]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/malejana/Photo0593.jpg


walang masyadong pinagkaiba si kissinger ah haha...:lol::nuts: except ung kasama nya...:D

Visit of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva 2009

...

Lagi akong kinikilig kapag nakikita ko si Abhisit, seriously.... Wala lang... :lol:

Visit of Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont in 2006

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7248/philthaiprimeministersu.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/philthaiprimeministersu.jpg/)
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7248/philthaiprimeministersu.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/philthaiprimeministersu.jpg/)


Napansin ko marunong mag ulit si Arroyo ng damit, o nagkataon lang ito? Mabuti naman at kahit atleast sa pananamit hindi siya nagpapakita ng extravagance at marunong magtipid kahit kaunti.

Lagi akong kinikilig kapag nakikita ko si Abhisit, seriously.... Wala lang... :lol:

:lol: You and your "daddy" obsession/fetish. :naughty:

Chinese envoy toasts warmer RP-China ties

Thursday, 30 September 2010 00:00

Editor’s note: The following is a speech delivered by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao at the National Day Reception in celebration of the 61st Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The reception was held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Tuesday. Every year, we get together to commemorate and celebrate. It’s always a great pleasure to spend such a joyous night with so many distinguished guests and good friends.

Sixty-one years ago, a new China, the People’s Republic, rose from the ashes of war, bearing the promise of renewing an ancient civilization of more than 5,000 years and leading a people, billions in number, in pursuit of a quality life toward modernization. The past decades have witnessed [how] China [proceeded] along a path of peaceful development in a firm and steady manner, standing out as one of the countries that have achieved the fastest economic growth. Now, China is the third largest eco-nomy in the world. By forging ahead with reform and opening up, China becomes more and more integrated [with] and mutually indispensable [to] the rest of the world.

The past two years have seen China emerge as one of the first countries to [achieve] an economic rebound and maintain stable and relatively fast economic growth under stern circumstances. China’s GDP growth achieved an 11.1 percent increase in the first six months of 2010. Up [until] August this year, China’s imports volume stood at $766 billion, representing a year-on-year surge of 47.2 percent. When our economy bottomed out, China has also contributed to the world economic recovery. Huge demand and business opportunities have been created for major economies and neighboring countries. We are happy and proud that we could do this, and will continue to do so.

For a person to know himself is true progress. The same applies to a country. A simple and sober mind is all that counts in understanding a true China. Such a clear-headed understanding is what really matters in directing China toward continued growth and sustained prosperity. China’s GDP per capita is only one tenth of that of developed countries, ranking below 100 in the world.

China’s economic development encounters energy and resource constraints. China’s exports feature products with low technology content and added value, while high-end and core technology still rely on imports. Unbalanced regional development poses a long-term challenge. Industrial restructuring and independent innovation remain [to be] daunting tasks. With more than 150 million people still struggling below the UN poverty line, poverty alleviation in China [is] still . . . an uphill battle. Unemployment [pressures], [an] aging society, environmental protection, social security promotion, legal system reform and [an] anti-corruption campaign make a priority list of issues [that call] for immediate and effective solutions. China has indeed made gratifying accomplishments, but still faces unprecedented challenges. As Premier Wen Jiabao [said in addressing] the 65th UNGA, “Taken as a whole, China is still in the primary stage of socialism and remains a developing country. These are our basic national conditions. This is the real China.”

Ladies and gentlemen, with development as the top priority, China stays firmly committed in fostering a peaceful international environment for its development and contributing to world peace through [it]. Blessed with many close neighbors, the Philippines included, China has started friendly exchanges with all the countries in the region many centuries ago. China has always been trying to nurture an amicable, peaceful and prosperous [community] through cooperation for mutual benefit and “win-win” progress. We have come a long way in fostering, between China and our Asean neighbors, a friendship and brotherhood that is based not only on how well we get long, or how much we like each other, but also on how we face [the] differences and gaps us; how we handle hindrances and trials together; how we look at each other straight from the heart without prejudice and envy; and how we treat each other with accommodation and appreciation. This is something that we call our common aspiration. China stands firm in its commitment to carry on this cause, and I am quite sure that our neighbors would do the same.

Ladies and gentlemen, 2010 bears special meaning for China and the Philippines because it marks the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. But something more special took place this year. With the new Philippine administration sworn in office this [June], a new chapter was opened up in our bilateral relationship. Thanks to the concerted efforts from both sides, the China-Philippines strategic and cooperative relationship got off to a good start and is well poised to forge ahead. Our bilateral trade volume in the first half of 2010 topped $13 billion and China remains the Philippines’ third largest trading partner.

More than that, the past month not only showed prosperity [in] our bilateral ties, but also witnessed [the] maturity of our friendship. The tragic hostage-taking incident [last August] has thrown our two countries and peoples into profound sorrow and pain. The Chinese side appreciates the Philippine leadership and government for [its] determination in conducting a comprehensive, thorough and fair investigation. [B]Our joint commitment and efforts have kept China-Philippines relations away from harm. With sentiments shared and mutual trust [bolstered], we found that our hearts have never been closer to each other. We have every reason to believe that this sad leaf would be finally turned over and this single incident will never move our focus from our common interests.

Common interests between China and the Philippines are . . . growing larger; so can the scope of China-Philippines cooperation.

The new Philippine government dedicates itself to bringing about market-driven economic growth, together with promoting good governance and raising investor confidence. China wishes to be part of the process. The foreseeable launch of private-public partnership would create more opportunities for Chinese companies to come and cooperate. Infrastructure construction, agriculture, mining, renewable energy and tourism are quite promising areas in which China-Philippines cooperation would yield concrete results.

Ladies and gentlemen, prog-ress is not made by [cynics and] doubters. Rather, it is made by determined believers. We are not only believers, but also action-takers. I hope that, when I take this floor next year, I would have had adequate proof to say that our belief came true and our action rewarded.

May I now ask you to join me in a toast to the warmer friendship and stronger cooperation between China and the Philippines,
To the prosperity of the Republic of the Philippines and the well-being of her people,
To the health of H.E. President Aquino, H.E. Vice President Binay and every one present here tonight,
Thank you and Mabuhay!
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/27616-chinese-envoy-toasts-warmer-rp-china-ties

RP seeks to ratchet up trade relations with US

AFTER PRESIDENT Aquino successfully secured more than $2 billion in fresh investments from American firms, the Department of Trade and Industry had set out to further strengthen the country’s trade and investment ties with the United States.

Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said this could be achieved through the existing Trade and Investments Framework Agreement (Tifa), or the country’s possible accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement.

He conveyed these sentiments to the US government during a recent meeting with Assistant US Trade Representative Barbara Weisel.

“The meeting was fruitful and hopeful of rejuvenating Philippines-US trade and investment relations. Both sides desire to build on the momentum of goodwill generated by the Aquino government, and we are ready to work to expand the economic ties between the Philippines and the United States,’’ Cristobal said in a statement.

To facilitate the expansion of trade and investments between the two countries, Cristobal and Weisel discussed relevant bilateral matters, including the United States’ concerns on intellectual property rights, labor standards, excise taxes on wines and spirits, and customs facilitation.

The Philippine side, on the other hand, expressed its intent to participate in the TPP.

“However, the Philippines will need to conduct serious studies, engage in extensive consultations with the government, particularly Congress, the private sector and civil society, and enhance competitiveness before we can formally engage in the TPP process,’’ Cristobal said.

He said the Philippines wanted to pursue deals with major trading partners, either by establishing bilateral or regional pacts.

The TPP represents around $21 billion in total trade for the Philippines, coming from the United States and TPP signatories that are also part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The country’s accession to the TPP will likewise pave the way for around $10 billion worth of exports for the Philippines.

Apart from the United States, current participants in the TPP include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The TPP agreement was first signed in 2005 and had only three countries as members—Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. The United States joined the group in 2008. The aim of the free trade agreement is to bring all tariffs down to zero by 2015.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20100929-295046/RP-seeks-to-ratchet-up-trade-relations-with-US

I saw Kissinger in UP a few years ago, he had a speaking engagement, sponsored by some sorority, Pan Xenia ata

this week Pres Noynoy Aquino will meet Pres Obama & will visit UN in New York.

------------------------------------------------
here are some photos of similar events in the past

Pres Arroyo with Pres Obama, 2010
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1593/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/i/philuspresbarackobama20.jpg/)

^^no offence to the ladies, but it looks like she's trying to hide or cover up her ahem 'agenda' down there.

Philippines Keen on Joining Trans-Pacific Partnership

September 30, 2010, 10:52pm

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government aims to participate in the Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement or Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to be able to forge bilateral trade agreements with the participating nations, including the United States, a senior official said Thursday.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said in a press briefing that it is important for the Philippines to join the TPP so that it will not be left behind as the U.S. recently made a policy of not entering into bilateral agreements.

Domingo, however, recognized the fact that the TPP agreement requires the government to strengthen its laws on human rights, child labor, environmental protection and property rights.

"We have to do a lot of work," he said.

He noted that to join the TPP is a long process, but what is important for now is that the Philippines has made known its intentions, and informal talks with the group have begun.

The TPP agreement is a multilateral free-trade agreement with an objective of creating a platform for promoting economic integration among nations in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Peru, Vietnam and the U.S. are members of TPP.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/279916/philippines-keen-joining-transpacific-partnership

Joint training proposed for Chinese, Pinoy cops

Posted October 1st, 2010 | News | Comments (0) | 33 views

By Sheryll Mundo and Ina Reformina – Chinese and Filipino police officers should take part in joint training exercises, Chinese Ambassador the Philippines Liu Jianchao said on Thursday.

He said the move will help improve the Philippine National Police (PNP) capabilities in dealing with crisis situations.

The proposed exercises will focus on ways to successfully end hostage incidents.

Liu, meanwhile, said Beijing is satisfied with the steps that the Philippine government took after the August 23 Manila hostage crisis.

“I’m impressed by the determination of the president in coming out with a comprehensive and fair report. I’m also impressed by the professionalism of the team and Secretary [Leila] de Lima,” he said.

The Chinese envoy, however, declined to comment on whether President Benigno Aquino III should follow all the recommendations made by Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC).

“The President pointed out that there should be no cover-up in the process of the investigation. Everything should be done in accordance with the actual findings and regulations of the Philippines. We demonstrate and respect the sovereignty of the Philippines,” he said.

He added that the IIRC’s final report was clear on identifying the liability of personalities and groups involved in the hostage incident.

He believes that it should be an “eye opener” for everyone, including the media, to prevent such an incident from happening again.

“I think there is a proper way of handling, managing or reporting such a crisis,” Liu said.

PNP review

The IIRC, meanwhile, will meet again next week to review PNP manuals and protocols during crises, de Lima said on Thursday.

De Lima, who chairs the the multi-sectoral panel, said the move is part of the multi-sectoral body’s institutional review of the PNP.

Aside from investigating the Quirino grandstand hostage drama, the IIRC was also mandated to assess the PNP’s overall crisis management capabilities, she explained.

The IIRC will also ask police officials and other personalities to attend the panel’s next public hearings. – via ABS-CBN News

ano ba ang sinisilip mo? yuong panty niya??LOL Tanda na niyan plmetzen LMAO

Why the news can be sometimes weird...

First is this...

Europe ‘felt very bad’ when Aquino cancelled Asem attendance

INQUIRER.net First Posted 16:41:00 10/03/2010 Filed Under: Europe, Benigno Aquino III, Foreign affairs & international relations, Diplomacy

BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Union “felt very bad” when President Benigno Aquino III cancelled his attendance to the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) of summit, Akbayan party-list Representative Walden Bello told civil society groups here Saturday.

At the start of the Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF), Bello said European ambassadors to the Philippines expressed their disappointment at Aquino’s decision, which coming around the time of the President’s trip to Washington DC tells “how Europe is regarded in the Philippines…(and that) Washington is more important than Brussels.”

Bello said that while Asem is “just a talk shop (where) very little processes and structures (are created),” it is an opportunity for non-government organizations in Europe and Asia to network across continents on issues including migrants’ and women’s rights.

But Christine Ebro, Asia coordinator for AEPF, stressed that Asem, while a non-binding formation, is “strategic because (it) sets the tone and direction of Europe-Asia relations.”

Ebro noted that Asem as well as its parallel civil society summit of AEPF represents some 58 percent of the world’s population, 50 percent of global GDP, and over 60 percent of international trade.

Aquino was also slated to meet with Filipino migrant leaders in Europe before he cancelled the trip. In a press conference in Manila, AEPF’s Corazon Fabros said this is the first instance since Asem was created in 1996 that a Philippine president passed on the chance to attend it.

According to its briefer, AEPF is a forum for dialogue between European and Asian partners about major political, economic, financial, and socio-cultural issues.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101003-295746/Europe-felt-very-bad-when-Aquino-cancelled-Asem-attendance



And then, this...



US issues travel alert for Europe

By Michael Mathes
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 23:51:00 10/03/2010
WASHINGTON—The US State Department issued a formal alert Sunday warning Americans traveling in Europe to remain vigilant against "the potential for terrorist attacks" and urging precaution in public places and transportation systems.

France and Britain immediately voiced support for the security statement, which said "current information suggests that Al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks."

"US citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling," according to the alert.

It said attackers may use "a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests," and that particular targets could be railways, subways and other tourist infrastructure.

The alert – which the State Department issues regarding specific events, and is one step down from a travel warning – follows intelligence reports which suggested an Al-Qaeda attack could be imminent.

"European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions," the State Department said.

US officials on Saturday said such an alert was likely.

"The bottom line would be to tell Americans to continue to travel but be vigilant," a US official told AFP on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Another US government official told AFP the State Department would take "further actions as appropriate."

"We have been and continue to be focused on Al-Qaeda's interest in attacking us, our allies and our interests. We will spare no effort to thwart terrorists' plans, and will take further actions as appropriate," the official said.

News media in the past week reported that Western intelligence agencies had uncovered an Al-Qaeda plot to launch attacks in Britain, France, Germany and the United States.

The reports said well-armed, commando-style teams of jihadists planned to seize and murder Western hostages in a manner similar to the attacks two years ago in the Indian city of Mumbai on two hotels and its main railway station, in which 10 gunmen killed 166 people and injured more than 300.

Intelligence and diplomatic officials in Europe and the United States have refused to confirm the alleged terror plot on the record.

But minutes after the US alert was issued, European powers Britain and France expressed support for it.

"We work closely with our international partners in countering terrorism and the US advice is consistent with our assessment," British Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement.

France's foreign ministry said through a spokesman that the US alert is "in line with the general recommendations we ourselves make to the French population."

In Paris, bomb scares briefly shut down the Eiffel Tower and train stations in recent weeks.

The Czech government said Sunday it had stepped up security following the alert.

"We aren't taking this information lightly. We have taken preventive security measures" including at Prague's international airport, deputy interior minister Michal Moroz told CT state television, although he said police had no information about possible attacks in the Czech Republic.

A US official on Wednesday privately confirmed the threat as "credible but not specific."

"For that reason, people shouldn't limit their thinking to the United Kingdom, France, or Germany," the official told AFP.

An Italian foreign ministry official said that "the fight against terrorism is one of our priorities and on this subject we are in tune with the United States."

The German weekly Der Spiegel reported that an Al-Qaeda plot to launch such attacks on European cities was planned by the group's number three leader, with support from Osama bin Laden.

In its issue to hit newsstands Monday, Der Spiegel reported that Al-Qaeda's third in command, Sheikh Yunis al-Mauretani, plotted the attacks, and had shared his plans with Ahmad Siddiqui, an Islamist with German nationality currently held at the US-run Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

Siddiqui was the likely source of information that sparked recent hikes in Western security threat levels, the weekly said.

Travel alerts are not especially rare. A travel alert currently exists for India through November 15 due to the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from Sunday through October 14.

A total of 31 travel warnings are in effect for various countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Lebanon as well as Sudan and Somalia.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20101003-295824/US-issues-travel-alert-for-Europe

Hindi nga pinas pero, nawe-weirdan pa rin ako...

Hillary Clinton pays tribute to Filipinos

INQUIRER.net First Posted 10:41:00 10/04/2010 Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Americas - Canada



NEW YORK, United States—State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton is probably the highest American official who has an intimate knowledge of Filipinos, their dreams, and aspirations.

This was manifest during the signing of the $434-million US Millennium Corp. grant that she and visiting President Benigno Aquino III presided over last October 22 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Speaking extemporaneously, Clinton—who speaks openly of her close relationship with Filipinos, especially during her term as senator representing New York—gave a glimpse of how much she knows about the Filipino psyche.

She said:

"Millions of people in the Philippines have left their native land for a better opportunity. They love the Philippines. I know because I know many of them. They try to go home when they can afford to do it. They retire back to the Philippines. They want to be sure their children and grandchildren are raised in the Philippines."

Then Clinton, dressed in an elegant indigo blue suit, addressing the new Philippine president continued:

"We hope that, Mr. President, the people of your country will be able to make a good living in their own country. And in order to do that, there must be a partnership that creates the conditions for economic opportunity."

But what endeared the charming state secretary to the Filipinos in the audience were these words:

"I know how smart the Filipino people are. I know how hard they work. I’m not sure there’s any group of people anywhere in the world that work harder than Filipinos.

"But let’s be very honest here. Too many of them feel that they cannot progress in their own country. Too many of them feel that the elite in business and politics basically call the shots, and there’s not much room for someone who’s hardworking, but not connected. Too many of them believe that even if they get the best education they can, that there won’t be an opportunity for them, and so they take that education and help build someone else’s economy, very often here in the United States."

This writer observed that as Mrs. Clinton made her way to the stage where the signing ceremony was to take place, she hugged some Filipino friends in the audience. And on her way out, she blew kisses to the same groups of Filipino American friends and constituents from New York state.

Not too many top diplomatic officials would risk speaking these strong words in an official function. But Hillary Clinton, because of her close relationship with the Filipino people has the inside track—and the charm and candor—to speak up.

Even the usually skeptical media people covering the event were quite impressed by the gracious top American diplomat.

Clinton's remarks—and how she delivered them with graciousness and tack—were the topic for conversation during dinner among the Philippine media people who covered the event.

Here is a powerful US official who knows and understands the dreams and aspirations of Filipinos, especially the three million Pinoys who have chosen the United States as their adopted country. For most of us who toil in the "land of milk and honey," it's really nice to know that Hillary Clinton is there for us.
Jun Medina, FilAm Star

"I know how smart the Filipino people are. I know how hard they work. I’m not sure there’s any group of people anywhere in the world that work harder than Filipinos."

--- Hmm. Isn't that racist? :lol:

...

...

On India: Population is 1.18 Billion. If there are more than 800 M who live on less than $2 a day, that's 68% of the total population. Mind boggling....

"Ticket costs also could be a factor — even the cheapest tickets at 50 rupees (about $1) are too high for many of New Delhi's poorest people. More than 800 million Indians survive on less than $2 a day."

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=618485&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Developing Asia-Pacific states press for less red tape in trade

OVER 200 individuals from 33 Asia-Pacific economies participating in the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Oct. 5-6 urged their governments to streamline international trade procedures and ensure that regulations are simple, consistent and transparent, a statement the United Nations released yesterday read.

The hidden cost of red tape amounts to $300 billion a year in the Asia-Pacific region, the statement read, and it takes an average of 30 days to move goods from factory to ship deck in countries of the region, compared with 10 days on average for members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Brought together by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), forum participants also called for greater regional cooperation to promote paperless trading systems and increase trade in agricultural products.

The statement quoted Malaysian Deputy Minister of Transport, Y.B. Datuk Abdul Rahim bin Bakri as telling forum participants that the importance of regional connectivity has never been more pressing.

"As a regional community, we need to step up trade facilitation to reduce trade costs and promote growth and regional integration in order to counteract declining markets of the West," he said.

Ravi Ratnayake, director of the Trade and Investment Division of ESCAP, said that "the somewhat shocking reality is that Asia Pacific is better connected to Europe and America than with itself."

He added that "our research shows that, on average, trade costs of the region with North America and Europe are 20% less than those with itself."

Cumbersome border procedures, requiring numerous approval documents, make it easier and cheaper for countries in the region to trade with far away developed countries, instead of doing more business with neighbors, Mr. Ratnayake said.

Naomi Chakwin, director of ADB’s East Asia Department, highlighted the advantages of paperless trading systems.

"The international supply chains are looking for ways to move away from a paper-based documents towards paperless information exchange. Governments want to reduce the risk of global trade through less and better data and increased efficiency. It even fits in well with the global move toward eco-efficiency with aspirations for green trade corridors," Ms. Chakwin said.

She added, that "there is still much to do to achieve paperless trading systems in the region" and all development partners "need to work together, to pool our resources and share our expertise with one another to overcome the obstacles to paperless trade."

Outlining the next steps for the region, the Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, M. Faruk Khan, said that the success of trade facilitation measures depend on "an effective and integrated approach at the macro level."

He added that "as far as I personally feel, capacity-building based on a thorough need assessment should be the immediate objective of international agencies like the UNESCAP and ADB."

He asked the United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade (UN NExT) in Asia and the Pacific to help developing countries in this endeavor.

The participants adopted a road map at the end of the forum to push trade facilitation reforms at national and regional levels. Key recommendations include working towards a regional agreement for the legal recognition and electronic exchange of trade data and documents. Agricultural trade facilitation, particularly the need for governments and international development organizations to help overcome sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to trade, was also highlighted. The forum also pushed the development of sub-regional single window facilities, like that of ASEAN, to facilitate submission and processing of trade data and documents.
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http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=19139

On India: Population is 1.18 Billion. If there are more than 800 M who live on less than $2 a day, that's 68% of the total population. Mind boggling....

"Ticket costs also could be a factor — even the cheapest tickets at 50 rupees (about $1) are too high for many of New Delhi's poorest people. More than 800 million Indians survive on less than $2 a day."

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=618485&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Been reading on this topic. The 2010 Commonwealth Games is heading towards a big fiasco.

dami na dumaan na PM ng Thailand pero si Gloria hindi natitinag..hehehe

Visit of Papua New Guinea Prime Min. Sir Michael Somare in 2009

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5952/philpapuanewguineaprime.jpg



bagay sila... enana at enano :lol:

Great idea for this thread. Thanks for the photos too.

Korea to build $7.5M tech-voc training center in RP

INQUIRER.net First Posted 09:31:00 10/10/2010 Filed Under: Education, Science & Technology, Overseas Employment, Investments, Asia Australia - East Asia


MANILA, Philippines—The Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) has signed an agreement with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Department of National Defense for the construction of a Human Resource Development Training Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The facility aims to enhance job opportunities for Filipinos by offering various technical-vocational courses.

Under the agreement, the South Korean government will provide a $7.5-million (about P330-million) grant to cover the construction of a four-story training center at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, provide equipment, dispatch Korean experts to the Philippines, and train Filipino officials and staff in Korea.

Koica vice president Dongwon Ahn, who signed the Record of Discussions (ROD) on behalf of Korea, said the center further proves Korea’s firm commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Filipinos through technical-vocational education.

“How did Korea progress from being a very poor country to a member of the exclusive OECD-DAC (Organization for Economic Cooperation Development-Development Assistance Committee) in less than 60 years? The answer is quite complex, but if there’s one thing that we did that made a very big impact, it’s investing in our human resources. The HRD Center that will rise in Fort Bonifacio is our way of helping replicate our success in human resource development in the Philippines,” Ahn said.

He added that the center will also serve as a memorial for the Filipinos that fought alongside South Korea during the Korean War some 60 years ago.

“The Philippines sent the largest Asian contingent during the war, and we are forever grateful for your help. This is our own little way of helping an old friend face its challenges as well,” Ahn explained.

Upon its completion in 2014, the Taguig HRD center will be the third training center built by Koica in the Philippines. In 2003, Koica provided a $10-million grant to construct a Vocational Training Center in Davao City and an IT Training Center in Quezon City (in what is now the Quezon City Polytechnic University). Both centers were opened in 2005.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101010-296944/Korea-to-build-75M-tech-voc-training-center-in-RP

Australia earmarks P2B in aid to RP basic education

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:30:00 10/10/2010

Filed Under: Foreign Aid, Foreign affairs & international relations, Education

MANILA, Philippines – The Australian government has set aside some P2 billion this year for the Aquino administration's basic education reform agenda.

The development aid is part of Canberra's "significant ongoing support for education in the Philippines," according to Australian Ambassador to Manila Rod Smith.

In a statement issued over the weekend Smith said, "Australia is very pleased to assist the Philippines as it faces the important challenge of reforming the basic education system to deliver better education for Filipino children."

Smith pointed out "education has the power to transform lives and create futures."

The envoy noted that Australia, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) had a "long-standing partnership with the Department of Education that is improving."

"Over the last five years, Australian aid has helped train teachers and introduced new learning and teaching strategies to encourage more students to participate and stay in school," Smith recalled.

He said, "over 32,000 public school teachers in English, Science and Math have been trained on new teaching techniques to improve students' results."

Last week, the Australian Embassy in Makati City launched the "1,000 Teachers Program," a scholarship project that would benefit "poor but outstanding high school graduates" interested in pursuing a teaching career in public schools.

The mission named two non-government groups as its partners in the program: the Philippine Business for Education and PHINMA Foundation.

According to Smith, the scholarship program aims to "encourage the best and the brightest high school students to become teachers."

Smith called AusAID's partnership with the private sector a "new way of delivering aid, promoting important coordination and cooperation among donors."

"This will ensure that all our efforts complement and directly support the Philippine government's basic education reform agenda. Working together, we will achieve better results and more Filipino children will benefit from increased access to quality education," he said.

The scholarship program "will help strengthen the government's teacher education and development program by increasing the number of qualified public school teachers in elementary and secondary schools."

"In turn, improving the quality of teaching will encourage more students to stay, participate more and learn better in school," Smith added.

AusAID earlier allocated P2 billion to its Basic Education Assistance to Mindanao, or BEAM, and another P100 million to assist the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in providing culturally sensitive preschool education services to some 50,000 children in 80 Muslim schools in the Southern Philippines.

The aid agency has been developing a "new Muslim and indigenous people-focused education program that aims to assist the government expand teacher training, develop culturally-appropriate curriculum and build more classrooms, particularly in remote areas," said the Australian embassy.

Meanwhile, AusAID is set to conclude its six-year human resource development program in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The program, which has a budget of P2.3 billion, aims to "improve the capacity of key government and private sector institutions in addressing poverty and other development issues."

AusAID has also provided more than P290 million to the following agencies for their peace efforts in war-torn areas in Mindanao: International Committee of the Red Cross, P140 million; UNICEF, P100 million; UN Commission for Refugees, P40 million; and the UN Department of Safety and Security, P12 million.

The aid agency also released over P280 million for the "Rollback Malaria" campaign of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization in Agusan del Sur.

AusAID's current annual assistance to the Philippines totals more than P4.5 billion.

During the past 12 years, AusAID allocation to the country has reached nearly P30 billion, including P1.3 billion to the UN Multi-donor Program for former members of the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front and their families "who have returned to mainstream society and contributed to the peace and development efforts in Mindanao."

The embassy described it a "clear indication of Australia's commitment to assist the Philippines address its development challenges," including peace in Mindanao.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101010-296977/Australia-earmarks-P2B-in-aid-to-RP-basic-education

^^ That is good.
Korea to build $7.5M tech-voc training center in RP
INQUIRER.net

First Posted 09:31:00 10/10/2010

Filed Under: Education, Science & Technology, Overseas Employment, Investments, Asia Australia - East Asia


MANILA, Philippines—The Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) has signed an agreement with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Department of National Defense for the construction of a Human Resource Development Training Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The facility aims to enhance job opportunities for Filipinos by offering various technical-vocational courses.

Under the agreement, the South Korean government will provide a $7.5-million (about P330-million) grant to cover the construction of a four-story training center at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, provide equipment, dispatch Korean experts to the Philippines, and train Filipino officials and staff in Korea.

Koica vice president Dongwon Ahn, who signed the Record of Discussions (ROD) on behalf of Korea, said the center further proves Korea’s firm commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Filipinos through technical-vocational education.

“How did Korea progress from being a very poor country to a member of the exclusive OECD-DAC (Organization for Economic Cooperation Development-Development Assistance Committee) in less than 60 years? The answer is quite complex, but if there’s one thing that we did that made a very big impact, it’s investing in our human resources. The HRD Center that will rise in Fort Bonifacio is our way of helping replicate our success in human resource development in the Philippines,” Ahn said.

He added that the center will also serve as a memorial for the Filipinos that fought alongside South Korea during the Korean War some 60 years ago.

“The Philippines sent the largest Asian contingent during the war, and we are forever grateful for your help. This is our own little way of helping an old friend face its challenges as well,” Ahn explained.

Upon its completion in 2014, the Taguig HRD center will be the third training center built by Koica in the Philippines. In 2003, Koica provided a $10-million grant to construct a Vocational Training Center in Davao City and an IT Training Center in Quezon City (in what is now the Quezon City Polytechnic University). Both centers were opened in 2005.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101010-296944/Korea-to-build-75M-tech-voc-training-center-in-RP

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Mr & Mrs Marcos with Prime Min Somare of Papua New Guinea

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/8342/philpapuanewguineapmsom.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/philpapuanewguineapmsom.jpg/)



Visit of Papua New Guinea Prime Min. Sir Michael Somare in 2009

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5952/philpapuanewguineaprime.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/philpapuanewguineaprime.jpg/)


Damn, I just realized that Prim Min Somare of Papua New Guinea is the same one that visited the Marcos and Arroyo Regime. He has got to be in power for 30 years?

Damn, I just realized that Prim Min Somare of Papua New Guinea is the same one that visited the Marcos and Arroyo Regime. He has got to be in power for 30 years?

yes Michael Somare was Prime Minister from 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985 and was re-elected as Prime Minister in 2007.

I see, thanks for the info.

Visit of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej 2008

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2702/philthaiprimeminsamaksu.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/i/philthaiprimeminsamaksu.jpg/)
[URL=http://img339.imageshack.us/i/philthaiprimeminsamaksu.jpg/][IMG]

This Thai Prime Minister Samak went to Guadalupe wet market and bought some food stuff. He used to have a TV show in Thailand about food (cook, chef, etc.)

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China vows to add lift
to Noynoy’s takeoff wings

Malaya Business Insights
October 12, 2010

The Chinese government said the Philippines needs to improve its investment environment and liberalize some of its policies if it wants to attract investors.

Nevertheless, China said it will "add power" to the Philippines’ wings as, in the words of President Aquino, it prepares for take off.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jiancha said in a speech before the joint membership meeting of the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines that China is looking at five sectors for investments, namely, agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, mining and tourism.

Liu said some projects which have been suspended or put on hold but are poised for resumption are the Northrail and Southrail projects which would be pursued with a national rail plan in mind; Jinchuan’s nickel mining project pending negotiations with a local partner, Cosco shipping which is dependent on the volume of cargo, Angat water supply among others.

"Chinese investors are enthusiastic about mining but they cannot find the right partner and in a number of times they were cheated," Liu said.

Liu said some Chinese investors are also complaining about restrictions such as on land ownership.

"If the Philippines liberalizes its policies, this will be good for improving the investment environment and the confidence of foreign investors," Liu said.

Liu said China would like to assist the Philippines in agriculture in terms of providing seeds, such as hybrid rice and corn as well as technology. This he said would create jobs, increase incomes and help the Philippines achieve self-sufficiency.

Liu also noted the potential for attracting more Chinese tourists in the Philippines, whose arrivals grew 40 percent in 2009 to 220,000.

But he said the Philippine government should convince Chinese and Hong Kong tourists that this is a safe country to travel to.

The ambassador was referring to the bloody hostage-taking event in August that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists.

Liu said power is a major issue in the Philippines and that China can help in developing wind turbines and solar panels.

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Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) 2008 Beijing, China

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/426/philsummitasem2008beiji.jpg (http://img375.imageshack.us/i/philsummitasem2008beiji.jpg/)


Mas maganda pa din kung chartered flight ang gagamitin ni PNoy..para naman hindi magmukha kawawa ang presidente natin sa ibang bansa..Just like the first pic above may seal pa ng president..kala mo presidential plane ng PInas..

Buti hindi makatabi si Merkel at si GMA, kundi nagsabunutan siguro yun. :lol::lol:

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Hong Kong government says disappointed at RP follow-up actions on hostage tragedy
(philstar.com) Updated October 12, 2010 08:40 PM Comments (0) View comments

HONG KONG (Xinhua) - The people of Hong Kong, especially the survivors and the victims' families, would find hard to accept, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government was disappointed at, the report by the Philippine government on the deadly hostage crisis in Malina on Aug. 23, the city's government said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The Philippine government decided to lessen the recommended actions against the relevant officers named in the first report by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee. The people of Hong Kong, especially the survivors and the victims' families, will find this hard to accept. The Hong Kong SAR government is also disappointed," said a Hong Kong government spokesman.

The city's government announced its stance after reviewing the report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee of the Philippines on the hostage-taking incident, said the statement.

Hong Kong people expect the Philippine government to handle the question of responsibility of the officials and persons involved in a fair manner, and follow through the required actions seriously, he said.

The eventual actions to be taken against the persons involved must live up to their pledge to be accountable to the public, and that is also what is owed to the dead and the injured, said the spokesman.

On Aug. 23, Philippine ex-policeman, Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos in Manila, in a bid to be reinstated in the country's police force.

Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed and seven others were injured after an 11-hour standoff.

The spokesman said the Philippine government has yet to complete the investigation into the causes of death of the eight victims and causes of injury of others, and the Hong Kong government hoped the Philippines would make public their findings as soon as possible.

"As far as we understand, the Review Committee of the Philippines will in due course submit a second report on the review of the mechanism and procedures of handling similar incidents. We hope the report will come up with concrete improvement measures to avoid recurrence of such tragedies," he said.

"We will convey our views to the Philippine government through proper channels," said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong police is working at full steam in the investigation as required by the Hong Kong Coroner's Court to submit the final report to the Court for consideration as soon as possible.

Upon receipt of the relevant information, the Coroner will decide whether to hold a hearing, and "we are confident that the Coroner's Court will arrive at a fair and professional judgment," he added.

^^OT: natawa naman ako dyan parang sa Miss Universe lang... Intay tawagin ang Magic 10... hehehe

Constitution blocks RP participation in trade pacts

PROSPECTS for Philippine participation in more trade pacts have grown bleak as deals are increasingly including service liberalization, which the country's Constitution limits, the Trade department yesterday said.

"We see a lot of regional agreements taking place. Not [joining the deals] would be a disaster for our industries," Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said at the second day of the annual Philippine Business Conference.

Earlier, he had said the Philippines was keen on joining negotiations for a trade pact with the European Union and for a regional pact that includes the United States. Aside from trade in goods however, parties are looking at opening up service markets too.

"[But] on foreign ownership laws, it's hard to say when a constitutional change [will happen]," Mr. Domingo said, referring to the limits on foreign equity in investments in certain industries such as utilities, banking and mining.

"This is a sore point when we deal with our trade parthers. Our answer has been 'If it's the law, it's workable. But if it's the Consitutution, who knows?' It could be next year or never," Mr. Domingo said. -- Jessica Anne D. Hermosa


http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=19464

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Korean envoy: Hanjin project cements RP-SoKor ties
Thursday, 14 October 2010 11:46 Henry Empeño / Correspondent


SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hye Min has cited the significant role of Hanjin’s $1.7-billion investment in a shipyard project here, saying it has strengthened political and economic ties between South Korea and the Philippines.

“It is the landmark of our friendship,” the ambassador told officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Tuesday during his first visit to the Subic Bay Free Port.

Min also expressed the wish that the Korean shipbuilding project put up by Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) here will continue to prosper with the help of the Philippine government.

He said the economic relations between South Korea and the Philippines has developed significantly after the Korean shipbuilding giant— now reputedly the fourth-largest in the world—established its shipyard in the Subic Bay Free Port in 2006.

The Subic shipyard project, which is undergoing further expansion, is employing some 18,600 workers today, HHIC-Phil manager for external trade Taek Kyun Yoo said earlier.

With new contracts for 20 more vessels worth about $1.2 billion, Hanjin also looks forward to increase its Subic work force to 22,000 by the end of 2010, and up to 24,000 in 2011 and 25,000 in 2012, Yoo said.

Min, who was accompanied by South Korean Economic Councilor Muyoungjoon Kim, also said the growing friendship between the two countries has spurred the flow of more Korean investments and tourist arrivals in the country, particularly Subic.

“Korean tourists now compose about 20 percent of those visiting the Philippines and this number is still rising,” the Korean official said.

“In the same way, Korean investors are expressing their desire to put up more investments in the Philippines,” he added, pointing out that Subic’s good natural environment and “exceptional peace and order” are a plus factor for both Korean tourists and investors.

“Koreans are concerned most about their security, but they are content with what you have in Subic Bay. Because of this, there are many economic opportunities that await the Philippines from our investors, tourists and students,” Min said.

SBMA’s Feliciano Salonga, meanwhile, pointed out that the close economic ties between the Philippines and South Korea has brought about a strong symbiosis between the two governments and their people.

“While you are bringing in investors and tourists to Subic, we provide you with quality service and the best manpower in the region,” said Salonga.

For his part, SBMA’s Armand Arreza confirmed that the Subic Bay Free Port has benefited much from South Korea’s investment inflows in recent years.

Arreza said there are now 183 Korean companies in Subic, including seven language schools whose Korean teaching staff and students now enjoy the safe environment and well-maintained peace and order in the free-port zone.

He added that aside from Hanjin, three more major Korean projects have been lined up for construction.
These are M Castle’s Resom Resort project, with initial committed investment of $1 billion; Neocove’s $1.3-billion golf course and resort project; and Ocean 9’s $60-million hotel-and-casino resort.


http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/2509-korean-envoy-hanjin-project-cements-rp-sokor-ties

a video from the White House...
gFcpuT-0A2o

OMF WTF LOL @ mayor lim!

Aquino won’t please HK
by Tess Bedico
Thursday, 14 October 2010 19:24

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III yesterday said he will not change his plan of action on the Incident Investigation Review Committee report on the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident if only to please the Hong Kong government.

“That I think is a very flimsy reason to amend the courses of action we have decided upon, this is not whimsical,” the President said in response to reports the Hong Kong government was disappointed with Aquino’s action on the IIRC report.

“The only thing we can do is explain exactly how the decision was arrived at, what are the limitations we have under our system of governance and also our laws,” he added.

The Hong Kong government had said they will “find it hard to accept” Malacañang’s plan of action which is seen as a watered down version of the IIRC recommendations because only Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and the police officials will be held responsible for the bungled rescue and will only face administrative charges.

Aquino said the Palace response to the IIRC report is but the proper course of action and those recommended for prosecution are the only ones whose cases will prosper.

“We had a review of pertinent laws. We found, we tried to find whether said laws were applicable to the people accused of failing to do their duties and various other things,” he said.

The President also said the findings of the IIRC primarily serve the interest of the Filipino people.


http://thepinoy.net/?page_id=13

Philippines lauds Riyadh’s projects in Lanao del Sur

Friday, 15 October 2010 00:00
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ZAMBOANGA CITY: Philippine government officials praised the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) delegations from Saudi Arabia who recently visited Muslim communities in Mindanao to inspect various humanitarian projects. The IDB officials arrived in the country in September for a mission to participate in programs for alleviating poverty, develop human capital and facilitate sustainable socio-economic benefits in order to improve quality of life for the Muslim communities in nonmember countries such as the Philippines, said Dr. Potri Disomimba-Ali, the chairman of Datu Palawan Disomimba Development Foundation Inc.

The guests were welcomed and received in Manila by Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Bai Omerah Dianalan Lucman and lawyer Hamid Barra, both representing the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, met the delegations and made courtesy visit to Mamintal Adiong Jr., the governor of Lanao del Sur, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

The delegations came to visit and follow-up existing IDB projects and identify new projects to Muslim communities’ partners and for initial clearance of projects as well as responding to the invitations of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos initiated by Bai Omerah Dianalan Lucman last Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.

The IDB officials held an ocular inspection of ongoing and other prospective projects, including Tamparan Medical Foundation Rehabilitation Center; other hospitals and integrated schools in different parts of Mindanao such as provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato and Davao City.

Engineer Essam Noor Fadel Al-Shanqiti, head of the IDB Special Assistance Division, and Engineer Hossam Baghat, IDB Country Project officer, pronounced their commitment of support to market the 10-year Comprehensive Health Integrated Community Development Plan for Lanao Center of Health and Wellness which was presented by Dr Potri Disomimba-Ali.
AL JACINTO


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/28906-philippines-lauds-riyadhs-projects-in-lanao-del-sur-

Miriam reiterates call to abrogate VFA
By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) Updated October 17, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (8) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Sen.Miriam Defensor Santiago reiterated her call for the immediate termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines in spite of the intention of Malacañang to push for its refinement.

In a statement, Santiago said that the fatal flaw of the VFA is its failure to specify the period of stay of the visiting forces and to define what activities they are allowed to engage in while in the Philippine territory.

“It calls itself a visiting agreement, but it has been in force for some 10 years. Its flaws and failures warrant its termination,” Santiago said.

The veteran senator has filed a resolution expressing the sense of Congress as a whole to terminate the VFA and direct the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to give a notice of termination to the United States government.

A similar bill has been filed in the House of Representatives by militant legislators and, according to Santiago, all it takes is for a public hearing to be held on the resolution after which approval by both chambers would pave the way for the VFA’s termination.

“The chairs of the foreign relations committees of both houses should therefore prioritize these resolutions,” she said. Santiago argued that presidential action is not necessary in terminating the VFA because Congress has the power to revoke laws.

“Because treaties are considered as part of the laws of the land, Congress can abrogate the treaty on its own. The Constitution states that the country adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land. I humbly submit that, just like any other law, it is within the powers of Congress to unilaterally terminate the VFA through a joint resolution,” Santiago said, adding that the executive’s role is to give notice of termination to the United States, “although the decision itself is one for Congress to make.”

She pointed out that under the VFA, the “agreement shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement.”

US does not recognize VFA as a treaty

In the case of the U.S. government, Santiago said that there should be no problem because it does not recognize the VFA as a treaty and that the US Congress never gave its advice and consent to it.

“What happened was that the US President merely transmitted the VFA to the US Congress just like any other executive agreement.”

The VFA was submitted as a compliance with an American law called the Case-Zablocki Act.

“This Act requires the US President, through the Secretary of State, to transmit to the US Congress, the international agreements entered into by the US government, or by its officials or agencies, which are not characterized as treaties.

“Thus, the US government does not characterize the VFA as a treaty,” Santiago said.

Therefore, she said the VFA is not valid and constitutional because it is not recognized as a treaty by the US on the account of its own Constitution and law.

Santiago noted that in September last year, the Senate adopted Resolution No. 205 calling for the renegotiation of the VFA, and in case of denial, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should give notice of termination.

She said the DFA has not fulfilled its commitment to conduct a full balanced review of the treaty and, as such, no recommendation has been submitted to the Senate yet.

The review apparently started only a few weeks ago and according to a DFA official, it was not inclined to support the call for the VFA’s abrogation.

President Aquino said he has informed United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. that the VFA should be refined because of some flaws.

A week-long celebration of RP-UK friendship
(The Philippine Star) Updated October 17, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8108/wik6vass.jpg

Ambassador Stephen Lillie with two Minis at the launching of the British car’s new distributors in Manila. These models and more will be included in a motorcade on Oct. 23.


MANILA, Philippines - In honor of RP-UK Friendship Week, the British Alumni Association in co-operation with the British Embassy, the British Council and the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines has lined up special activities from October 20 to 24.

A forum dubbed RP-UK Bayanihan: Forging Partnerships for Sustainable Development will be held on Oct. 21, 8 am to 1 pm, at the Rockwell Club in Makati City.

The worsening effects of such environmental concern and how people can bring about social change by going green will be discussed.

“The UK Government has put climate change at the heart of its foreign policy. We realize that as the world becomes more networked, the impacts of climate change in one country or region will affect the prosperity and security of others around the world,” says Ambassador Stephen Lillie of addressing climate change and coming together to find possible solutions.

A documentary film titled Age of Stupid will also be shown at the Rockwell Club as part of efforts to reawaken the people to their role in saving Mother Earth.

On Oct. 21, two UK-trained Filipino chefs will prepare English menus that showcase their culinary expertise at the British School Manila in Bonifacio Global City.

The cooking demonstration will be followed by the play Shakespeare Turns Pinoy, from 6 to 9 pm. The play, presented by Ateneo students, will explore how literary genius Shakespeare has influenced the country’s literary minds and the overall local art scene.

Proceeds from the play will go to a medical and dental mission on Oct. 24 to be held at the Mano Amiga Academy in Taguig.

National Book Store is launching the British Book Fair on Oct. 21. Also in celebration of RP-UK Week, the bookstore donated more than 200 books to the Capt. Jose Cardones Elementary School in Taguig City last Oct. 13. Ambassador Lillie was present at the turnover to read to selected Grade 1 pupils.

The week-long occasion will also be celebrated in style with a golf tournament on Oct. 22 at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club starting at 8 am.

A motorcade of Austin Minis will be held on Oct. 23. The motorcade will start at 1:30 pm at the Shell gas station in Julia Vargas in Pasig City and will end at the Manila Polo Club.

RP-UK Equestrian Games will be held on Oct. 23, 2 pm, at the Manila Polo Club.

I'm amazed on how you guys found these photos. Galing!

____________________________________________________

http://pinoyshooter.org/bogs

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Finland to close Caracas and Manila embassies

17 October 2010 - Issue : 907


The Finnish foreign ministry said in a statement on 8 October it would close two embassies as part of a range of measures aimed at cutting annual spending by about €1.3 million, News room Finland reported.

The ministry added that the embassy in Caracas in Venezuela would close its doors next year, with the embassy in Manila in the Philippines scheduled to close by the end of 2012.

Among other changes, the ministry is to abolish the post of roving ambassador for the western Balkans and establish one for the Caribbean.
http://www.neurope.eu/articles/103292.php

Pres Aquino skipped this year the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels Belgium

here are some photos of ASEM summit attended by Ramos & Arroyo

Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Bangkok, Thailand
Attended by Pres Ramos
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9485/philsummitasem1996bangk.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/philsummitasem1996bangk.jpg/)

speaking of backwards flag.

I like this thread.

^^ Currently have a friend in Finland. So perhaps a consulate would suffice?

^^ Currently have a friend in Finland. So perhaps a consulate would suffice?

I think what's going to happen is that if someone wants to go to Finland, another EU member country's embassy (say France) will handle the visa applications (for Schengen). As for immigration, I reckon, you would have to go to the nearest embassy/consulate to the Philippines to process that, which sucks.

UAE to assist Philippines fight rampant human trafficking – Binay


Thursday, 21 October 2010 00:00
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VICE President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said that the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed his willingness to help the Philippines in combating the burgeoning problem of human trafficking. Minutes after the courtesy call made by United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, Binay said that the UAE official expressed his concern on the rising number of human trafficking cases.

“His government is willing to help in trying to solve the problem of human trafficking. That’s good especially [for me],” Binay, who was recently named presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns, said.

“It seems the whole world has been alerted on human trafficking activities,” the Vice President mused.

Earlier, the US State Department—citing from the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report—put the Philippine in the Tier 2 watchlist when it comes to human trafficking cases.

A Tier 1 level refers to a country’s full compliance with the minimum standards of the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) while countries under the Tier 2 level are those who have made significant efforts to comply with the act. On the other hand, Tier 3 level countries are those who did not make any effort at all to comply with the TVPA.

The Philippines, in the US State Department report, placed at Tier 2 and Tier 2 watchlist for the past 2008 and 2009, respectively, making it allowable for the US report to automatically downgrade them to Tier 3 next year unless minimum compliance standards are met by the Aquino administration.

If downgraded to Tier 3, the Philippines will be subjected to various sanctions including the withholding of all non-humanitarian, nontrade-related foreign assistance and elimination of educational and cultural exchange programs for government officials.

There is also a risk of losing $250-million worth of foreign assistance, which is mainly for defense and security funding in Mindanao.

Of the 900 reported cases of human trafficking, only 380 cases were filed in court, and there were only 18 convictions since the law, Republic Act 9209, or “The Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003,” was passed in 2003.

In 2009, law enforcement agencies referred 228 alleged trafficking cases to the Department of Justice but only 206 cases were initiated by prosecutors.

Binay also said that the UAE foreign minister expressed his country’s interest in investing more in the Philippines’ agricultural sector.

Since Gulf countries are centered in their exportation of oil, Binay said that most nations in the Middle East lack supplies of food.

“So, they import a lot of food,” he said.

Sheikh Abdullah is currently in the country for a one-day visit as part of his five-nation working tour of Asia, which includes China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The visit marks the 30th year of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

He was accompanied by a delegation of UAE government and business leaders, including officials of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Investment Corp., among others.
BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/29445-uae-to-assist-philippines-fight-rampant-human-trafficking--binay

^^ related

Sheikh's Manila visit to bolster Filipino ties
http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/SheikhAbdullah1.jpg
ABU DHABI // The Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah's visit to Manila yesterday helped to reinforce relations between the two countries, according to the Philippine ambassador to the UAE.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/sheikhs-manila-visit-to-bolster-filipino-ties

Reduced diplomatic presence welcome by Foreign Affairs

Friday, 22 October 2010 00:00
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THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said that it welcomes the suggestion of Sen. Franklin Drilon to “rationalize” the operations of Philippine embassies and consulates abroad to lower government expenses, adding, “a review is currently underway.”
“To the extent possible, we should indeed maximize the use of our resources . . . and a report will be submitted shortly,” Foreign Affairs department spokesman Eduardo Malaya said.

Given the country’s limited resources to finance diplomatic and consular presence overseas, Drilon on Wednesday suggested that the department must reduce the number of embassies and consular offices in other countries.

Drilon is the head of the Senate finance committee.

The senator said that currently, there are seven Philippine embassies, 23 consular offices and four missions abroad for which the government spends about P57 million to P125 million a year to sustain.

But Malaya noted that the Foreign Affairs department will be “guided” by the criteria indicated under Republic Act (RA) 7157, or the Foreign Services Act of 1991 in maintaining its diplomatic presence abroad.

Under Section 12 of RA 7157, it stated “the national interest and security shall be the paramount consideration in the establishment of embassies, missions, consulates general and other foreign service establishments maintained by the DFA.”

The law added that, “the priority areas shall be in the countries where the following exist: (1) extending diplomatic, financial, material, humanitarian support and other expressions of solidarity; (2) favorable trade relations and investments exists or prospects for trade and investments are favorable; (3) a considerable number of Filipinos, and; (4) adherence of reciprocity and where such is extended to us.”

Bernice Camille V. Bauzon


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/29538-reduced-diplomatic-presence-welcome-by-foreign-affairs

Japan Apologizes to RP
By ROY C. MABASA
October 22, 2010, 6:42pm

MANILA, Philippines – Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura expressed heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse over the damage caused by the Japanese military in the Philippines during World War II.

Speaking during the 66th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings – a commemoration of the successful liberation by American and Allied Forces of the Philippines from Japanese occupation – at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte, last Wednesday, Katsura stressed that he has been deeply moved by “the noble spirit of reconciliation and the sense of fairness on the part of the Filipino people.” He also reaffirmed that Japan will continue helping in nation-building efforts of the Philippines, as a strategic partner.

“Indeed, the Filipino people have been appreciating Japan as we are now, a peace-loving nation that shares the fundamental values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights, and have been taking a future-oriented attitude with a view to deepening the friendly relations between our two countries,” the Japanese envoy told representatives from the Embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States as well as many veterans who attended the event.

Katsura said that this year is the 54th year since the normalization of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Japan. And as declared in a joint statement which was issued by the two governments in June last year, both countries have seen the expansion of cooperative areas not only in trade, investment, and economic cooperation but also on political issues, security, peace building in Mindanao, as well as cultural and human exchanges.

Katsura pointed out a good example is Japan’s initiatives for the Mindanao Peace Process, including the implementation of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, dubbed as J-BIRD.

“This is a testimony to Japan’s strong conviction to contribute actively to the peace process by assisting those in need in former conflict-affected areas, and, by paving the way for poverty reduction through this and other initiatives, to help achieve a lasting peace in Mindanao,” Katsura said.

Needless to say, the Japanese ambassador vowed that the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and cooperation in the trade and investment field will continue to play important roles in this cooperation.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/283664/japan-apologizes-rp

Aquino starts first visit to Vietnam for ASEAN Summit
October 22, 2010, 6:26pm

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is to start his first state visit to Vietnam on Oct. 26-27, at the invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

The visit provides an opportunity for Aquino to discuss with Vietnam's top leaders, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, various bilateral issues and concern that are important to both countries.

Four memorandum of agreements (MOA) will be signed during the visit, namely on Academic Cooperation, Defense Cooperation, Oil Spill Preparedness and Response, and Search and Rescue at Sea, the DFA said.

Aquino will lead the Philippine delegation to the ASEAN Summit on Oct. 28-30.

The country's participation in the ASEAN Summit aims to seek support and work together with ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners in addressing challenges to address poverty, promote trade and investment, and create employment opportunities for the region's peoples.

During the meeting, President Aquino is expected to push for the country's interests in five key areas: economic cooperation, political and security cooperation, food and energy security, human rights and disaster management.

Aquino is also expected to address Vietnamese and ASEAN business leaders at a business and investment conference in Hanoi on Oct. 27.

The business and investment conference seeks to provide Philippine private and public project proponents in selected industries (tourism, information technology/business process outsourcing, electronics, mining, agriculture, real estate, construction and infrastructure). It is also an opportunity for business leaders from ASEAN and ASEAN dialogue countries to meet and discuss possible project financing and joint venture collaboration in a business matching setting.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/283654/aquino-starts-first-visit-vietnam-asean-summit

Noynoy to sign 4 pacts in state visit to Vietnam
By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 07:27:00 10/23/2010 Filed Under: Agreement (general), Foreign affairs & international relations



PRESIDENT AQUINO plans to sign four agreements with Vietnam aimed at improving bilateral cooperation when he makes a state visit to the country next week.

Mr. Aquino is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nong duc Manh, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio told reporters yesterday.

He would sign memorandum of agreements on defense cooperation, academic cooperation, oil spill preparedness and response and search and rescue at sea in Hanoi, she added.

Mr. Aquino is to depart for Vietnam on Tuesday.

The agreement on defense cooperation seeks to link the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s defense agencies and military and covers defense and military cooperation, equipment and technology cooperation and cooperation between the countries’ defense industries.

The MOA on academic cooperation seeks to foster cooperation in higher education and professional training and provide a framework where proposals on education cooperation can be tackled.

In another agreement, Philippines and Vietnam will seal their intention to join hands in preparing for and responding to oil spills. The agreement seeks to expand human resources development, mutual assistance, information exchange and research and development in the area.

The MOA on search and rescue at sea seeks to improve the efficiency in both countries of search and rescue operations for ships, aircraft and people in distress.

Representatives of the Department of National Defense, Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Coast Guard will join Mr. Aquino in his state visit and are expected to help seal the deals. Also joining the trip are officials from the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, the Presidential Management Staff and the Office of the President.

Basilio said the Philippine delegation would remain lean.

Mr. Aquino is also slated to address business leaders in Vietnam and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a business and investment conference in Hanoi.

He will also meet with members of the Filipino community who number some 3,500.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101023-299266/Noynoy-to-sign-4-pacts-in-state-visit-to-Vietnam

RP as Asean cultural capital

INQUIRER.net First Posted 13:52:00 10/24/2010 Filed Under: Culture (general), ASEAN, Asia Australia - Australia New Zealand


MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has been designated as the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Capital/City for Culture for 2010 to 2011, and the country will actively push for cultural initiatives as a key element in the region’s community-building during the 17th Asean Summit on October 28-30.

“Culture is the antidote to war and an important element in Asean Community-Building. There is a need to strengthen the Asean identity, and raise the profile of Asean within the region and internationally by celebrating the Asean arts and culture and promoting the growth of the region’s creative industries,” Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo said in a news release.

This is aimed to promote people-to-people exchanges. Peoples of other Asean member-states and dialogue partners are encouraged to visit the Philippines under this program.

To create an impact and a high level of awareness of the Philippines as the first Asean Culture Capital, the country hosted the 4th Meeting of Asean Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) in Clark, Pampanga last April.

The title of Asean Culture Capital is bestowed on the country hosting the AMCA meeting, held every two years.

The Philippines has been the original advocate for the socio-cultural community pillar in the establishment of an Asean Community by 2015. The other pillars are political-security and economic.

The first Philippine city to host activities under this program was Angeles City, Pampanga.

A series of performances and various cultural activities from the Asean member-states highlighted the 4th Asean Festival of the Arts, which coincided with the AMCA meeting.

The launch was culminated in the Asean Gala Grand Show which was held on the evening of the opening of the AMCA meeting. It featured a sampling of traditional performances from throughout the Philippines by over 1,000 students from schools and universities in the region.

Ancestral roots to artistic routes of expression were showcased by prominent Filipino artists as demonstrated by Filipino practitioners of the indigenous martial art of Arnis followed by an interpretation of Arnis through modern ballet by renowned prima ballerina Lisa Macuja.

Until the end of 2011, activities celebrating the unique Asean identity will be held in various cities throughout the country creating Asean awareness and working towards building an Asean community.

The Philippines will travel through a cultural highway for two years, featuring a multiplicity of cities that will crystallize the wealth of cultural diversity in the country’s 17 regions, including Muslim Mindanao and Lihok One Visayas, and highlighting as well the country’s heritage sites and intangible heritage of oral masterpieces in Luzon.

In support of this initiative, Administrative Order 281 was issued on March 10 to form the organizing committee to plan and successfully execute the actualization of the Philippines as the 1st Asean Culture Capital.

The Organizing Committee is co-chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the chairman of the National Center for Culture and the Arts, with a coordinating secretariat jointly operated by the Office of the NCCA Executive Director and the President of the Philippine Center of the International Theater Institute.

RP, Australia vow to boost defense ties
By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated October 25, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (2) View comments

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Australia have agreed to boost defense ties and have enumerated areas where they can enhance cooperation, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

In a statement, DND said these topics were tackled during the 9th Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and Defense Cooperation Working Group meetings held from Oct. 20 to 21.

Leading the Philippine delegation was Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, while the Australian contingent was headed by Defense Assistant Secretary Martin Kennedy.

The Philippines served as the host of the meetings.

The DND said the two countries discussed prospective areas of further defense cooperation namely maritime security, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism.

“Both parties shared their insights and preliminary strategies on how to best address the two countries’ shared security concerns,” the DND said.

The DND said the two countries also acknowledged the importance of the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) signed in 2007.

The agreement has yet to be ratified by the Philippine Senate.

It would allow visiting forces to temporarily use land and sea areas of the receiving country for combined training, exercises or other activities agreed upon by the two parties.

Visiting forces are directed to respect the law of the receiving country in conducting the military exercises.

“Both countries (Philippines and Australia) expressed their optimism and willingness to ensure that the proposed courses of actions agreed by both parties will be realized,” the DND said.

“Both also reaffirmed their commitment in strengthening Philippines-Australia defense cooperation.”

The JDCC was established under the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation inked by the Philippines and Australia in 1995.

The committee provides policy direction to the working group, which initiates and monitors defense cooperation activities between the two countries.

Manila to push for ‘firmer’ pact on South China Sea
Monday, 25 October 2010 13:44 Mia Gonzalez / Reporter


TARLAC CITY—President Aquino said on Monday that when he attends the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, this week, he will push for a “firmer” and “mutually beneficial” agreement on the South China Sea dispute so that claimant countries can explore ways to tap into the potentials of the resource-rich area.

The President also said he will issue a strong statement on Burma at the Asean Summit and related summits from October 28 to 30.

Asked about his message and expectations from the Asean Summit, the President said “at the end of the day, I hope that in terms of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, we will also have an improvement, a firmer [agreement].”

“It is good that we don’t have any hostilities flaring up in that area but perhaps the next phase here is how do we explore the possibility that all claimant countries can really start reaping the fruits of the potentials of this area so that it becomes mutually beneficial.”

He said the idea is “if all of us benefit from it simultaneously, all of our economies as well as the livelihood of our constituents improve, then we will be farther from any potential flare-up in the South China Sea.”

“So in the end, really a greater cohesion, a greater cooperation in the economic field more than anything. And hopefully that will lead to greater stability within the region,” the President.

When asked, Mr. Aquino said a strong statement on the human-rights situation in Burma is “to be expected.”

He also said he would discuss climate change, among others, especially as the Philippines is vulnerable to the threat.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said the Philippines will urge its developed dialogue partners “to support and provide vulnerable and developing countries with adequate, predictable and sustainable financial resources to counter the disastrous effects of climate change” and to provide means for effective adaption and mitigation actions of developing countries.

The President, who will depart for Hanoi on Wednesday for a state visit prior to the Asean Summit, said he will not designate an acting President when he leaves, just as he had done when he first left for the United States last month.

“I’m not incapacitated. I think I can still do my function. I  can do it. We’re not that far away. We can do it through the Executive Secretary’s office if there’s any need...I can still do what I have to do,” he said.

Mr. Aquino also said he would try to minimize his foreign travels as much as possible so that they would be limited only to trips that guarantee a substantial return on investment as in the case of his US trip, where the government spent P25 million but claimed to have generated $2.4 billion in investments.

“If [a] trip doesn’t redound to immediate and direct benefits to our country, I’d rather pass up on it. There’s an international publication that already criticized me for not wanting to go on trips. It said I’m less of a statesman. But I think before we are able to do our role in the world stage, let us make sure that government is doing its role on the local stage,” President Aquino said.


http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/2932-manila-to-push-for-firmer-pact-on-south-china-sea

Aquino committed to ‘thorough review’ of VFA
Monday, 25 October 2010 13:46 Mia Gonzalez / Reporter


THE administration will pursue a “thorough review” of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the end goal of securing “maximum benefits” for the Philippines from the 10-year-old bilateral pact, Malacañang said over the weekend.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who chairs the Presidential Commission on the VFA, said on Sunday the government has 10 years’ worth of insight on which to base an assessment of the impact of the agreement, which some senators want reviewed.

“The VFA was envisioned to be a mutually beneficial agreement that would serve the interests of both our country and the United States. The President, however, believes that a review is necessary because we must evaluate whether we are getting the most out of the VFA,” Ochoa said.

He noted that “it has been over a decade since the VFA was ratified, and we have over 10 years’ worth of experience with regard to the implementation of the agreement to serve as bases for a thorough and objective assessment of its costs and benefits.”

“We are also conscious of the fact that there have been specific incidents that necessitate an evaluation of provisions that deal with the handling of visiting American armed forces personnel that violate Philippine laws,” Ochoa said.

He was apparently referring to the case of US Marines Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith who was initially found guilty of raping a Filipino woman at the Subic Bay Free Port, but was later acquitted after the woman recanted her earlier statement that she was raped.

Asked about the VFA review, President Aquino said in a news briefing after he cast his vote in Tarlac City that he will also get inputs from the Congress, specifically the Senate.

“So either we can do it prior to a Ledac [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council] or after the Ledac. I think I made my position clear, that there are certain provisions like anything made by man that can be made better,” Aquino said.

The VFA, ratified in 1999, is the framework for the treatment of visiting US forces in the Philippines and governs the entry and exit of American troops in the country in connection with the activities approved by the government.

It also establishes the manner in which criminal cases are handled against any member of the visiting US forces, and the procedure for resolving differences that may arise between the two sides in this regard.

The VFA Commission was created in 2000 under the Office of the President “to ensure that visiting US troops respect Philippine laws, policies, public morals, customs and traditions.”

On October 1 the President issued Executive Order 9, which amended EO 67 and  reorganized the Presidential Commission on the VFA.

It named the Executive Secretary as chairman of the commission, and Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin as cochairmen.

The other members of the commission are the secretaries of the Departments of Justice and of Social Welfare and Development, the executive director of the commission and a private-sector representative to be appointed by the President.


http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/2933-aquino-committed-to-thorough-review-of-vfa

http://english.vovnews.vn/avatar.aspx?ID=98548&at=0&ts=200&lm=634237151528130000

State President Nguyen Minh Triet received President of the Philippines, Benigno S. Aquino III, on October 26, for his first official visit to Vietnam from October 26-27, to attend the 17th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi.

http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Philippine-President-welcomed-in-Vietnam/201010/120797.vov

This should be in the thread also. thanks for posting these Hakhaimo!
This Youtube video:

H0GfngnKqa4

Despite being an old plane, the interior seems to be excellent.. :cheers::cheers:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP2.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP3.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP4.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP5.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP6.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP7.jpg

I hope you guys don't mind me reposting these here from the other thread.

vc9g6hu3bNg

Rjc_nF0Usgo

President Benigno S. Aquino III and President Nguyen Minh Triet witnessed the signing of four Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs).

^^ buti umabot pa yung presidential plane natin sa Vietnam..kala ko pang dometic flights na lang yan

Aquino offers help to quake-hit Indonesia

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Wednesday offered help to the Philippines' neighboring country — Indonesia — after it was hit by an earthquake and a tsunami that killed at least 113 people.

"At this time of grief for the Indonesian people, the Filipino people joins me in expressing sorrow and concern for our brothers and sisters devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami," Aquino said in a statement.

"We are prepared to assist in any way we can. We are also confident that Indonesia will meet this challenge with the resolve, compassion, and unity that has marked their response to the national calamities in the past," he added.

Aquino is in Vietnam for his state visit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, of which the Philippines and Indonesia are both members.

At a press briefing in Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines can send a humanitarian team to assist in rescue and relief efforts in Indonesia.

However, the Indonesian government has not asked for assistance so far, Lacierda said.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are some 100,000 Filipinos in Indonesia. So far, however, no Filipino has been reported to be among the casualties in the twin disasters that hit the Asian country.

DFA Undersecretary for migrant workers affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment are prepared to accommodate Filipinos in Indonesia who want to return home after the tragedy. — Jam Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204454/aquino-offers-help-to-indonesia

RP deploys peacekeepers to Golan Heights
(philstar.com) Updated October 27, 2010 03:25 PM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – The Philippines sent another contingent to the United Nations Disengagement Observers Force ( UNDOF) to help preserve peace in the troubled Golan Heights region.

Members of the 3rd Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights (PCGH) held a sendoff ceremony today at the National Capital Region Command Grandstand. The 3rd PCGH is composed of 370 members (48 officers and 322 enlisted personnel). They will be leaving for Golan Heights, Syria next week.

"I hope that they (members of the 3rd PCGH) will be able to accomplish their mission," Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. said in an interview with reporters after the send off ceremony.

David said he was once part of the PCGH contingent and recalled it was difficult to survive in the area.

"It's a desert. Their (Syrian) culture is different. The terrain is different," he said.

But The Army official hopes the training that the current contingent received will prepare them for the task ahead.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has been sending its troops to the UN for the past few years in line with its commitment to uphold global peace and security.

The first PCGH was sent to Syria in Nov. 2009 at the request of the UN department of peacekeeping operations. The Philippine government agreed to contribute personnel, equipment and services to help the UN carry out its mandate and bring about the international peace for the Syrian and Israeli governments.

Israel captured the Syrian Golan Heights following the 1967 Six- Day War and unilaterally annexed it in 1981. Damascus and Tel Aviv have been technically at war ever since.

RP calls Myanmar elections 'farce'
(philstar.com) Updated October 27, 2010 03:06 PM Comments (1) View comments

HANOI (AP) – World leaders are expected to launch a last-ditch plea this week for free and fair elections in military-run Myanmar, but at least one neighboring Southeast Asian country has already dismissed the upcoming polls as a "farce."

Aside from reclusive Myanmar, China is expected to take center stage at an annual summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations following a series of territorial spats that has rattled regional nerves.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and several other dignitaries will join discussions at the conference, which opens Thursday in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi.

Myanmar's much-anticipated Nov. 7 elections are supposed to be a move forward in the country's so-called roadmap to democracy following five decades of military rule. But critics say the junta has already taken steps to block transparency and ensure that the military remains in power by repressing the country's main opposition party and limiting campaigning.

"It's a farce," Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said ahead of the ASEAN summit.

No foreign journalists or outside observers will be allowed into the country for the election, the first in two decades.

The main opposition party, led by democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, is boycotting the elections as undemocratic after winning a landslide victory in 1990 that was dismissed by the military leaders.

That leaves the key junta-backed party as the only strong contender to win the upcoming contest.

Monique Skidmore, a Myanmar expert at the University of Canberra in Australia, said the outcome of the election is a foregone conclusion.

"The important thing about these elections is that they are occurring, and they will bring a small level of change and unpredictability that has been absent in Burmese political life for many years," she said.

The United Nations and world leaders have strongly urged the generals to free Suu Kyi and nearly 2,100 other political prisoners. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been imprisoned or under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years.

China will also be under the spotlight in Hanoi following a number of maritime incidents in the South China Sea where Beijing and several ASEAN countries have a long-standing feud over strategically placed and potentially oil-rich islands. At a security meeting earlier this month in Hanoi, China attempted to improve relations after being accused of bullying its smaller neighbors.

In a preparatory document obtained by The Associated Press from one Southeast Asian country leading up to this week's summit, China was accused of trying to "bully" ASEAN into keeping disputes involving the South China Sea out of the meetings.

"We've passed the historical stage and now entered into a new era," said Arthur Waldron, an international relations specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. "Asian states will remain very closely involved in trade, but they're going to start hedging their bets and pulling away and talking to each other about, 'How do we deal with China when she's sort of had a few?'"

The territorial waters are a hot-button issue for several countries. China claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, but parts of it are also claimed by several of its Southeast Asian neighbors, including Vietnam.

Japan and China are also still recovering from a nasty row near disputed islands in the East China Sea after a Chinese fishing boat collided with Japanese patrol vessels. Japan arrested and later released the boat captain, enraging Beijing.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to meet with leaders from Japan and South Korea while in Vietnam.

Heads of state from the ASEAN countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — along with leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States will attend the summit.

:lol: okay ang airforce one natin ha.... mabuti na lang at hindi tumirik at nagcrash land sa spartlys :bash: :lol:


yoong isang babae mukhang sinaktan ng tenga... mukhang di gumagana ang cabin pressurization :rofl:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/hakhaimo/PP2.jpg

Formal diplomatic ties now on 61st year


Thursday, 28 October 2010 00:00

On November 24, we will mark the 61st year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our Republic and the Republic of Indonesia. These formal relations we established in 1949. Our ancient ties go back to prehistory, however. Filipinos are of Indonesian ancestry and this is evident in the similarity of our tribal communities to those of Indonesia’s.

Strong Philippine-Indonesia relations are seen by both nations and our other cousins in Brunei and Malaysia as a major element in the growth, stability and security of the BIMP-EAGA. That is the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Its impact is not very much felt in Metro Manila. But the Filipinos in Mindanao, Muslims and Christians alike, are aware of the importance of the BIMP-EAGA. So are officials of foreign banks and foreign envoys of Europe and the United States.

Both Indonesia and the Philippines are archipelagic and maritime countries. Their strategic location makes them the guardians of the sea route of trade and commerce from the Americas and Europe. This route traverses Tawi-Tawi and the Celebes Sea.


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/30709-formal-diplomatic-ties-now-on-61st-year

buti umabot pa yung presidential plane natin sa Vietnam..kala ko pang dometic flights na lang yan

Flight times to Vietnam from the Philippines is roughly over two hours, that's still considered a short-haul (domestic) flight. :colgate:

http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-10271253350917.jpg


WITH UNCLE HO Philippines President Benigno Aquino III poses for a photo in front of a statue of the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on October 26, 2010. Aquino is in Vietnam for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit from October 28 to 30. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Kham

Flight times to Vietnam from the Philippines is roughly over two hours, that's still considered a short-haul (domestic) flight. :colgate:

Tama..pero your in a foreign land and sea nga lang when something happends mahirap ang rescue operations..san natuloy na lang pagbili nun bago bumaba si GMA:lol::lol::lol:

Tama..pero your in a foreign land and sea nga lang when something happends mahirap ang rescue operations..san natuloy na lang pagbili nun bago bumaba si GMA:lol::lol::lol:

anong aircraft ba ang dapat bibilhin ni PGMA? Is it an airliner? Business jet?


TOWARDS A BETTER PHILIPPINES!!

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1306/gen5hires.jpg
President Aquino prepares to lay a wreath at the Monument of National Heroes in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he is on his first state visit and where he will attend the ASEAN summit. Walking with the President are Secretaries Alberto Romulo of foreign affairs, Voltaire Gazmin of defense, Cesar Purisima of finance, Gregory Domingo of trade, Julia Abad of the Presidential Management Staff, Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Group and Philippine Ambassador to Hanoi Jerril Santos.
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Another one. Just tell me guys if you are getting annoyed at me transfering some of these pictures here from another thread, I would stop it right away.

^^ Nah....saves us the trouble of doing it ourselves. :okay:

Thanks! I just love this thread. Very laid back and informative .

Aquino offers search, rescue help to Indonesia

By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:16:00 10/28/2010

Filed Under: Benigno Aquino III, Foreign affairs & international relations, Disasters (general), Diplomacy, ASEAN

HANOI—President Aquino on Wednesday offered help to Indonesia as he commiserated with the Philippines’ neighbor over the deaths and destruction wrought by an earthquake and a tsunami.

“We are prepared to assist in any way we can. We are also confident that Indonesia will meet this challenge with the resolve, compassion, and unity that has marked their response to the national calamities in the past,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Aquino said the Philippines was prepared to offer assistance in search-and-rescue operations and in disaster management.

He told reporters here that he had sent a letter to Indonesia and instructed the Office of Civil Defense to inform the Indonesian ambassador of the country’s offer of help.

The Filipinos, he said, sympathized with their neighbors’ ordeal and that the Philippines would help in any way it can. He expressed faith that Indonesia would be able to hurdle this latest disaster.

He commiserated with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was also billeted at the Hanoi hotel where he is staying. The two heads of state are attending the 17th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is scheduled to open Thursday.

“Our thoughts are with … [Yudhoyono] as he returns to be with and lead his people in the works of rescue, recovery and rebuilding,” he said.

The two countries had scheduled bilateral talks, but they were not expected to push through with the meeting because of the Indonesian tragedy.

Philippines now 'PH,' not RP, says DFA (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204589/philippines-now-ph-not-rp-says-dfa?utm_source=GMANews.TV&utm_medium=twitter)
10/28/2010 | 05:31 PM


Share
The Philippines has long been known by the initials "RP" for "Republic of the Philippines."

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) says from now on, it will be using the initials "PH" or "PHL" when referring to the Philippines.

The DFA says the move complies with the country codes set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The DFA said the use of the designated country codes PH or PHL would “avoid the ambiguity and confusion with the use of the initials RP."

“The long standing usage of the initials RP is not in accordance with ISO codes, leading to ambiguous initials that can also refer to other countries," the DFA noted.

In a department order issued on October 20, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo directed the DFA’s 67 embassies, 23 consulates general and four permanent missions to use the initials PH or PHL in their dispatches and reports to the Home Office.

International standards

The ISO is an international-standard-setting body comprised of representatives from various national standards organizations. The Philippines is a member of the ISO.

Founded on February 23 1947, the ISO, with headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, promulgates worldwide proprietary industrial and commercial standards.

While the ISO defines itself as a nongovernment organization (NGO), its ability to set standards that often become law, makes it more powerful than most NGOs.

The Philippines is represented in the ISO by the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Two-letter codes

The ISO developed the ISO3166-1 codes, assigning two-letter (alpha-2) and three-letter (alpha-3) codes to member countries.

ISO 3166-1 is part of the ISO 3166 standard adopted by the ISO.

The standard defines codes for the names of countries, dependent territories, and special areas of geographical interest.

The codes assigned to the Philippines are PH and PHL.

Passports and airline tickets

The ISO codes are likewise used in the Philippines and abroad in airline ticketing, passport issuances, currencies, and internationally-traded shares of stocks, among others.

The DFA Office of Consular Affairs has adopted the ISO three-letter codes that appear in the data pages of the Philippine electronic passport.

Societal benefits

The ISO standards have technological, economic and societal benefits. For businesses, the adoption of ISO standards implies that suppliers meet specifications that have wide international acceptance in their sectors.

For governments, ISO standards provides the technological and scientific bases for formulating laws concerning health, safety, and the environment. –VVP, GMANews.TV

Lao officials give warm welcome to former envoy
Wednesday, 27 October 2010 13:09


http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/images/stories/daily_images/2010/October2010/10282010/top01.jpg

TOP officials of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, led by Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, gave a warm welcome to a group of Filipinos headed by former Ambassador to Laos Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, who paid a recent visit to the Lao capital of Vientiane to renew friendly relations and explore possible business ties.

The Lao Prime Minister hosted a private dinner on Saturday at his residence for the group of the ambassador, who was chief of mission of the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane in 2003 and 2004. They were the first private individuals to be personally received by the Prime Minister at his residence, embassy officials said.

The officials said the hosting of the dinner for the Filipinos at the Prime Minister’s residence was “extraordinary and impressive. According to Lao culture and practices, only special persons are received by the Prime Minister at his residence.”

The reception at the Prime Minister’s residence, they added, indicated the high regard of the Lao Prime Minister for the former ambassador to Laos.

The ambassador’s group later called on Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who ordered his office opened to receive the Filipinos, although it was a Sunday and a nonworking day in Vientiane.

On Saturday night before the dinner at the Prime Minister’s residence, Ambassador Cabangon Chua was visited at his hotel room by and had a friendly chat with Chief Justice Sayavong, an old friend from his earlier posting in Vientiane.

The ambassador said he was happy to visit Vientiane six years after his official assignment there and looked forward to opportunities “to renew and expand friendly relations with the Lao people.”

Toward this end, he said, he planned to expand his scholarship program for Lao youth who have the qualities and potential to become leaders of their country. Eight sons and a daughter of some top Lao officials have studied in Manila as the ambassador’s scholars.

He also said he had exploratory talks on possible trade and business relations between Laos and the Philippines with some top Lao officials, including Energy and Mines Minister Soulivong Daravong and Planning and Investment Director General Houmpheng Souralay.

Current Philippine Ambassador to Laos Marilyn Alarilla, for her part, encouraged Ambassador Cabangon Chua to bring Filipino businessmen to Laos to see for themselves prospects for investment in that country.

At the same time, Ambassador Alarilla invited the former ambassador to lead the Philippine-Lao Business Council, which will spearhead efforts to promote trade and business relations between Laos and the Philippines.

In Photo: Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh (second from right) and Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua (second from left) at dinner at the Prime Minister’s residence. With them are (from left) Benjamin V. Ramos, Steven Lim of Malaysia, Ambassador Marilyn Alarilla and architect Rafael Tecson.



http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/3022-lao-officials-give-warm-welcome-to-former-envoy

Aquino, Abhisit agree to push for regional action on currencies
Thursday, 28 October 2010 12:32 Mia M. Gonzalez / Reporter

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/images/stories/daily_images/2010/October2010/10292010/top01.jpg

PRESIDENT Aquino and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday agreed to push for more frequent meetings among central banks and finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to forge “closely coordinated action” to address concerns over stronger currencies in the region.

In an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the 17th Asean Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said Abhisit initiated the proposal during his bilateral meeting with Mr. Aquino that day.

“The two leaders agreed that there should be more frequent contact between central bankers and finance ministers of the. . .Asean, so we can coordinate more closely our actions because of the strong currencies that we’re seeing rightnow which could have an impact on exports,” Carandang said.

He said Abhisit made the proposal while discussing his country’s problem with the stronger baht, which is now trading at 29 baht to $1, which is close to its pre-Asian crisis level.

Carandang said that on the part of the Philippines, while export numbers “are still strong, there is some concern from our exporters that profit margins are getting squeezed and revenues are getting smaller” because of the appreciation of the peso.

He said that in view of such concerns, “Prime Minister Abhisit suggested that central bankers and finance ministers from the Asean countries meet more frequently to come up with common positions, how we are going to deal with the strengthening currencies.”

The Prime Minister noted that, at present, the actions of affected countries “have been taken on an individual rather than a coordinated basis,” said Carandang.

“We feel that if we talk to each other more, and perhaps coordinate our efforts more, then they would be more effective. But right now, there haven’t been any specifics about that,” Carandang said.

In a phone interview, he added that  Mr. Aquino’s response to Abhisit’s proposal is, “That’s a good idea.”

When asked, he said the Philippines would support Thailand’s initiative if it is formally raised in the Asean Summit.

While Abhisit only made a general statement about closer coordination among Asean’s central banks and finance ministers on the currency, it suggests a possible regional effort to protect the competitiveness of its exports, Carandang said.

At their meeting, Mr. Aquino told Abhisit about his government’s Public-Private Partnership program and invited him to “take a look” at the projects for possible investment.

The Prime Minister told the President there are Thai companies already investing in the Philippines and that there could be more investments from these firms.

Carandang said Mr. Aquino also proposed closer coordination with Thailand on disaster risk management.

The two leaders know each other, having met twice before. The President’s Liberal Party is also affiliated with Abhisit’s Democrat Party of Thailand.


In Photo: Some of the Asean leaders (from left) Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva share a light moment while preparing to join a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 17th Asean Summit in Hanoi on Thursday. (AP)


http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/3064-aquino-abhisit-agree-to-push-for-regional-action-on-currencies

17th ASEAN summit
Hanoi, 28 October 2010



http://www.manilatimes.net/images/stories/rokstories/2010/1029/pnoy.jpg

^^ parang namiss ko tuloy yung only girl President dati..at hirap abutin yung kamay ng katabi nya..lol

http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/images/aquino-bolkiah_home.jpg


PRESIDENT AQUINO MEETS BRUNEI PRIME MINISTER BOLKIAH

President Benigno S. Aquino III (right) exchanges pleasantries with Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah before the formal opening of the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday, October 28, 2010. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Philippines, Syria hold first bilateral talk
October 29, 2010, 5:46pm

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines and Syria had their first bilateral consultation this week, a move that will enhance the relations of the two countries, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

Among the highlights of the event was the signing of an Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for the Economic, Commercial, Scientific, Technical, Cultural, Educational and Tourism Cooperation, the DFA said.

The Philippines was represented by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis.

"Relations between the two countries are expected to expand with the signing of the latest agreement, which would serve as mechanisms to increase cooperation in various fields to the mutual benefit of the countries and their peoples," the DFA said.

Last year, both countries signed six economic, investment and trade related agreements.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/284870/philippines-syria-hold-first-bilateral-talk

http://www.manilatimes.net/images/stories/rokstories/2010/1030/pnoy1030.jpg


President Benigno Aquino 3rd shakes hands with Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein at the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders’ Summit in Hanoi on Thursday. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

^^ Wow, look at their luminescent foreheads. :lol:

No chit! Between Pnoy and Myanmar's PM, it would make one think of a great lunar eclipse captured in a still shot :lol:

but it seems PNoy's is shinier. Dulas-langaw effect. :lol:

^^ parang namiss ko tuloy yung only girl President dati..at hirap abutin yung kamay ng katabi nya..lol

:lol:, at palaging katabi niya ang pinakamatangkad sa grupo, si Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong...

http://www.thailandobservers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/asean-summit-opening-ceremony.jpg

http://app.mfa.gov.sg/data/2006/images/3391/Summit-Plenary_B.jpg

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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QA4VjsB__U8/S8XDehXvsFI/AAAAAAAAFf8/vwZEERVpckw/s400/16asean.jpg

anong aircraft ba ang dapat bibilhin ni PGMA? Is it an airliner? Business jet?


TOWARDS A BETTER PHILIPPINES!!

I think it was a small executive jet...

I think, if the Philippines will have a good performance as far as its economy is concerned, at the end of of the incumbent president's term, he should already purchase an A330 (Second hand) jet or a 787 Dreamliner for foreign trips.

with a blue livery an a large text "Republika ng Pilipinas". :lol:

http://www.fyoq.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/boeing-787-flight.jpg

http://en.mercopress.com/data/cache/noticias/19079/0x0/aed5cc09fd886e1be4f62d9157728a5e.jpg

http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/images/noynoy_home_16.jpg


TOAST WITH THE HOST

President Aquino and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) clink their wine glasses as the leader of the host country offers a toast to all the heads of state and other officials at the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit gala dinner in Hanoi on Friday, October 29, 2010. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

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President Benigno Simeon Aquino III along with the leaders of ASEAN countries, China, Japan, ROK, Australia, New Zealand, India, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend the 5th East Asia Summit (EAS), chaired by Socialist Republic of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Friday, (Oct. 30) at the National Convention Center in Hanoi. The Leaders reaffirmed the agreed principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS and reiterated their commitment for continued efforts to enhance dialogue and cooperation of its member states. (Photo by: BenHur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau).

http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/images/noynoy_home_16.jpg


TOAST WITH THE HOST

President Aquino and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) clink their wine glasses as the leader of the host country offers a toast to all the heads of state and other officials at the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit gala dinner in Hanoi on Friday, October 29, 2010. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

I think he's riding the "yellow wave" a little too much. :|

http://www.ops.gov.ph/photos-oct2010/ph6-301010_BA-03.jpg


Julia Gillard of Australia has replaced Arroyo as the only female among this group lol

More Trips for Aquino
President may need investment travels abroad
By JC BELLO RUIZ
October 31, 2010, 5:06pm

HANOI, Vietnam – President Benigno S. Aquino III is not fond of traveling, but he may need to do it more now because of the invitations for state visits from his counterparts and to better convince them “to take a more serious look” at investing in the Philippines.

Aquino was set to return to Manila early last night from Ho Chi Minh City, which is his final stop in Vietnam to pay a courtesy call on Secretary General Nong Duc Manh of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The President said after the closing ceremonies of the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here last Saturday that he has been invited by his counterparts to visit their respective countries.

Among them were Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Thailand Prime Minister Vejjajiva Abhisit, and Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein.

The President said that while the idea of visiting their countries and getting to know more of their culture is enticing, he has yet to commit to these invitations.

In the same token, Aquino invited his counterparts to visit the Philippines.

He invited Brunei Darrusalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, South Korea President Lee Myung-bak, and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of this host country particularly to the public-private partnership program (PPP) conference in Manila on November 18 and 19 this year.

The President is also set to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Yokohama in mid-November. He also has plans to visit Indonesia and China.

Apart from pushing the interests of the Philippines during his series of bilateral meetings at the sidelines of the summits here last October 28 to 30, Aquino who is just on his fourth month in office was able to introduce himself as the Philippines’ new leader.

Although a highly-anticipated bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao did not push through “due to time constraints,” Aquino was able to meet with his counterparts in Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.

The meetings were “friendly and cordial,” said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang as Aquino also aimed to use them as venue to introduce himself to his counterparts and get to know them better.

Carandang said some leaders already knew Aquino as they had already known his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, an icon of democracy in Asia.

At the same time, the President was also able to push for the interests of the Philippines.

In his speech for the 13th ASEAN-China Summit last Friday, the President proudly informed his counterparts of the good developments in the Philippines despite the recent global financial crunch.

“I am glad to inform you that despite the global economic slowdown, the Philippine economy has continued to grow. For the first six months of this year GDP grew by a record 7.9 percent, my country’s highest in over three decades,” Aquino said.

“My government is putting in place measures to ensure that economic growth becomes more equitable and reforms to further enhance the domestic climate for investors. I invite you to take a more serious look at opportunities to invest in my country.”

Most notable of his bilateral meetings were with Brunei, Thailand, Japan, Korea as well as Myanmar.

Aquino was able to propose to the Brunei leader to make Mindanao as its “Halal Food Production Center” with the latter expressing openness for such proposal.

Aquino and the Thailand Prime Minister, during their meeting last Thursday, agreed for more cooperation among their governments in dealing with common problems such as the effects of their strengthening currencies against the United States’ dollar.

In his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Aquino was able to obtain P21.4-billion in official development assistance (ODA) from the Japanese government for the improvement and maintenance of Philippine roads. In the same meeting he also asked the Japanese government to ease the requirements for Filipino nurses applying for work in Japan.

Meanwhile in his talks with the Myanmar Prime Minister, Aquino was able to express his stand on the upcoming elections in the military junta-ruled Myanmar and the continued detention of its opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“President Aquino expressed the willingness of the Philippines to share the Philippine experience in the transition from dictatorship to democracy. He cited our history where in the 1980s, we made a successful transition that was relatively violence free. He said that if the Myanmar government wishes to learn from our experience then we will be very happy to share our experiences with them,” Carandang said.

The President also joined calls of the international community for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi but it was turned down by the Myanmar leader.

HOMEWARD BOUND

Aquino, who wrapped up his six-day visit in Vietnam, was expected to return to Manila at 7 p.m. Sunday.

It was the President’s second overseas journey which cost around P11 million of taxpayers’ money.

Palace officials however could not yet confirm if the President will pay his respects to his deceased parents on November 1 or November 2. November 1, All Saints’ Day, is a holiday while November 2, All Souls’ Day, remains a working day.

“Don’t think so. No plans yet firmed up by the family. They will wait until he comes back,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a text message when asked if the President will visit the tomb of his parents on November 1.

In Vietnam, the President witnessed the signing of four agreements on defense and education, oil spill preparedness and search and rescue at sea designed to boost cooperation between the two countries.

DISASTER MITIGATION COOPERATION PUSHED

Recalling “Katring,” the powerful typhoon that ravaged Northern Luzon two weeks ago, and the strong earthquake and “tsunami” that hit in Indonesia, Aquino III alerted world leaders to work together to mitigate the effects of climate change.

He urged Australia, China, and other neighboring countries to do their part in developing disaster management mechanisms.

“In the area of disaster risk management, Australia has been active in developing disaster early warning systems in our part of the world. The urgent need to link disaster management mechanisms within ASEAN and the region is highlighted by the recent calamities that have adversely affected many countries, most notably Indonesia. With this in mind, I invite Australia to undertake enhanced cooperation with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM),” he appealed during the 1st ASEAN-Australia Summit last Saturday. (With a report by Genalyn D. Kabiling)


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/285226/more-trips-aquino

Did Aquino bring his PSG while in Vietnam?





TOWARDS A GREENER PHILIPPINES

I think he's riding the "yellow wave" a little too much. :|

yellow is so gay. it's like next to pink

^^ What a comment!

I think they are just happy and gay... :lol:

http://www.ops.gov.ph/photos-oct2010/ph2-103010BEN_2337.jpg

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III converses with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit gala dinner in Hanoi.

http://www.ops.gov.ph/photos-oct2010/ph4-103010JAY_8201.jpg

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III with Socialist Republic of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and wife Tran Thanh Kiem, Lao PDR Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein in the traditional Vietnamese dress “Ao Dai”, before the start of the gala dinner at the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Hanoi on Friday.

What a comment! I think they are just happy and gay... :lol:

The proliferation of "rainbow" colors doesn't help either. :lol:

^^ At least it's still far from being rainbowed. :lol:

At least 11 Fil-Ams in US mid-term elections
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/03/2010 1:24 PM | Updated as of 11/04/2010 1:15 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The fates of Filipino-American (Fil-Am) candidates who ran for various positions in the US mid-term elections have yet to be known.

“It remains to be seen if they made a difference in the polls and if they gathered enough votes in today's mid-term election," Henni Espinosa, correspondent of ABS-CBN North America News Bureau, reported on ANC's Dateline Philippines on Wednesday.

Some of Filipino-Americans who are vying for seats in public offices are:

* Kimberly Marcos Pine, up for re-election for State House Representative
* Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, for California Chief Justice
* Chris Pareja, for US Congress
* Hydra Mendoza, up for re-election for the San Francisco’s School Board
* Joanne Del Rosario, up for re-election for City Council in Colma
* Myrna De Vera, for City Council, Hercules City.
* Dorie Paniza and Mike Guingona for Daly City Council
* Joe Esteves, re-election for Mayor of Milpitas
* Tony Daysog, for mayor of Alamida
* Pete Sanchez, re-election for mayor of Suisun City, California
* Christopher Cabaldon, re-election for mayor of West, Sacramento.

“These are just some of the Fil-Ams who ran for office today,” Espinosa said.

Republicans seen to capture House

Meantime, results are still coming in to determine who will be the United States’ next leaders following the mid-term elections.

“Recent polls have shown dissatisfaction among voters because of the economic crisis and how the Obama administration failed to create more jobs and to save millions of homes from foreclosure,” Espinosa said.

She told ANC that political experts have predicted that the Republicans would win majority control of the US House of Representatives.

She said Republicans are “expecting to win at least 52 more House seats that they currently hold, which could wipe out the Democratic majority and majority they enjoyed for the past 4 years.”

According to Espinosa, Democrats are still expected to retain majority in the Senate.

Pacquiao credited for US Senator Reid's win
By Balitang America Staff
Posted at 11/04/2010 1:13 PM | Updated as of 11/04/2010 1:16 PM

REDWOOD, California – Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao contributed to the victory of Democrat Senator Harry Reid in the US mid-term elections.

According to boxing promoter Bob Arum, the pound-for-pound king has to get a lot of credit for Reid’s win in Nevada.

The Democrat Senator was endorsed by the Filipino boxing champ. Reid won his re-election bid against Tea Party candidate, Sharron Angle.

This is Reid's fifth term in the US Senate.

Reid has been a supporter of Filipino World War II veterans.

In Ohio, Republican Congressman Steve Austria kept his congressional seat.

The Filipino-American conservative said he is excited Republicans are taking over the House of Representatives.

In California, Fil-Am Tea Party candidate from Hayward, Chris Pareja, didn't come close to winning California's 13th Congressional District as a write-in.

His Democrat opponent got 72% of the votes, while the Republican opponent got 28% of the votes.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/04/10/pacquiao-credited-us-senator-reids-win

Aquino to attend APEC meeting in Japan
November 4, 2010, 3:46pm

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III will leave next week for a four-day trip to Japan to attend the 18th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM), the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

In a news briefing in Malacanang Palace, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio Rodriguez said that Aquino, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, will leave on November 11 for Tokyo before proceeding to Yokohama to attend the AELM from November 12- 15.

He said Aquino will lead the Philippines in actively engaging 20 other APEC member economies to enhance the country's leading role in the advocacy for human resources development, employment creation, addressing the social dimensions of globalization, and sustaining cooperation in economic and technical cooperation for developing economies to foster 21st century competitiveness.

"Numerous heads of state have expressed interest to meet with President Aquino on the sidelines of the 18th AELM to discuss bilateral trade and development opportunities for the Philippines, " he said.

Aquino's visit to Japan will be his third overseas trip following the United States and Vietnam since he assumed office on June 30.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/285839/aquino-attend-apec-meeting-japan

PNP coordinates with 5 countries over travel advisories
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net First Posted 18:02:00 11/04/2010 Filed Under: Acts of terror, Security (general), Safety of Citizens, Police, Foreign affairs & international relations



MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has begun coordinating with foreign embassies of the five countries that issued travel advisories against the Philippines, even as it maintained that there were no specific threats of any terror attacks here.

Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo said on Thursday that he instructed his intelligence officers to coordinate with officials from the United States, Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada to get specific information of terrorist threats here.

Bacalzo said that based on their own monitoring, there were still no specific threats here, even as intelligence reports uncovered a possible threat in Metro Manila.

"So far we have not validated any specific information of a threat...what we have are general information about alleged activity, which emanated from the Yemen incident," Bacalzo said in an interview.

A television report cited intelligence reports that revealed a possible terror attack in the city of San Juan and other parts of Metro Manila.

The attack, the report said, could occur sometime between September and December.

Intelligence reports aired in the same network also showed that members of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Special Operations Group were planning to attack parts of Metro Manila, particularly the train stations.

Asked about these reports, Bacalzo said these were considered as "unvalidated raw information" and has ordered his intelligence units to step up their efforts to verify these.

Bacalzo said they were looking at the possible connection of these intelligence reports over the stalled peace talks between the government and the MILF.

"In the meantime, we know that there is now an effort for the peace process to push through so we are looking at this possible connection...[But] I have instructed different police units to increase their police presence, particularly their visibility in public areas, including malls."

"We are also coordinating with establishment owners and security officers so we can tie up and coordinate our activities in public areas, even the LRT [Light Rail Transit] and MRT [Metro Rail Transit] we are monitoring closely," Bacalzo said.

Metro Manila and Mindanao are on full alert status as of this time, the PNP chief added.

Bacalzo appealed to the public not to panic over these reports.

"I would like to appeal to the public that there should no cause for panic. We have no specific report targeting a specific area or specific establishment in the Philippines," he added.

P-Noy's ASEAN-Asia debut
By Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos
November 6, 2010, 9:06pm

MANILA, Philippines – COMING back from his state visit to Vietnam and participation in the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi last Sunday, 31 October, President Benigno Aquino III underscored that “no money or opportunity should be wasted for us to be able to move forward along a straight path toward progress.” This is very correct, and deserving of total Pinoy support.

As P-Noy thanked Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Than Dung, and Secretary General Nong Duc Mahn of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he expressed admiration for “their unity and their determination to have an orderly society,” which he saw at first hand in the modern, well-planned development of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cities. Without exception, all of Vietnam’s provinces and cities – from Ha Giang in the North and Ca Mau in the South – were war-torn sanctuaries of millions of refugees barely three decades ago.

Indeed, there is much to admire about Vietnam today.

“Successful visit”

P-Noy also said upon saying farewell to his hosts: “I have also shown them the merits of a democratic system like ours” – which is something that the Vietnamese trio still have to personally observe and evaluate. What do we in the Philippines have to show foreign visitors? Quite a lot that is good; plenty that is unique and admirable.

But our foreign guests may also see the mismanagement of the past ten years resulting in urban blight, street children, and beggar-mothers, unproductive rice fields, unmaintained dumpsites, and traffic jams everywhere.

Do these realities of poverty and environmental abuse in the Philippines prove the merits of our 21st century democratic system? Certainly not.

P-Noy and the accompanying media called the visit to Vietnam “successful,” and rightly so – given Japan’s commitment to support P21.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects here. He also did well in his regional debut by developing rapport with other leaders, including receiving invitations for state visits to Thailand, New Zealand, Singapore, and Myanmar.

The importance of “bilaterals”

What should have been the “icing on the cake,” however, did not happen – his long-expected “four eyes” or one-on-one meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Thus, he was unable to express directly to China’s No. 2 (who was the most sought-after leader to be engaged in bilaterals) our concerns about the Spratlys, currency competition, disaster mitigation, climate change, and the hostage-taking fiasco.

Nevertheless, opportunities to engage China and other heavyweights at the leaders’ level should not be relinquished by P-Noy. It is the President’s obligation to talk frankly with his counterparts for the purpose of enhancing the Philippine position in the world. Only effective preparations and coordination by his Cabinet and personal staff will enable our President to insure bilateral meetings with key APEC leaders in their Yokohama summit in mid-November.

As early as possible, P-Noy’s team should be planning his next foreign visits – up to two/three years from now – to pin down potential meetings for the President to “market” our country. Diplomatic persistence and “completed staff work” could have eliminated the need for anyone to explain why P-Noy was unable to bilateral with Premier Wen Jiabao.

Planning/coordinating visits

As reported by The Daily Tribune, quoting Secretary Carandang (2 November): “The Chinese were very preoccupied with Japan. The schedule of the President was so tight and so was Wen Jiabao’s – they weren’t able to meet.”

Continued the Tribune: “Carandang refused to consider the situation as a ‘snub’ by the Chinese presumably given the fact that they are still nursing the disappointment they felt after eight of their nationals figured as casualties in the infamous Manila bus tragedy. ‘No, it wasn’t a snub at all... The schedule of China was really chaotic... So there was no meeting,’ Carandang stressed.”

As far as minor incidents are concerned like “the wine sucks” tweeter miscues, these better be corrected, prevented from recurring, then totally set aside as a presidential concern by Malacañang and media.

Hereafter, P-Noy’s Cabinet and staff assistants should put him back in the direction of substantive regional policy initiatives and long-term domestic reforms.

Promoting our country’s interests

Manila Bulletin’s article, “More Trips for Aquino” (01 November), recounts: ‘President Aquino III is not fond of traveling, but he may need to do it more now because of the invitations for state visits from his counterparts and to better convince them ‘to take a more serious look’ at investing in the Philippines.”

As Un-Solicited Advice (U-S-A), this senior citizen says: The President should travel globally, even if he is not so inclined. He must promote Philippine interests globally, making sure that his foreign sorties are well-packaged in terms of maximum returns to us. All these are an essential part of his duties as Philippine President.

The Philippine Star (01 November) reported: “If Mr. Aquino can get the country’s house in order, said Robert Sears, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, the future could be bright. He added: ‘As long as there is transparency and there are clear-cut rules then I think it will encourage investors to come back.’”

Yes, indeed, these opportunities should be exploited by P-Noy to actualize our country’s potentials with optimum benefits.

Continuity of “best practices”

“Best practices” to sustain our country’s development – despite changes in administration – have been recorded by various foreign chambers of commerce and business clubs in the Philippines. These have been articulated by the likes of John Forbes, Hubert D’Aboville, Henry Schumacher, and Peter Wallace, whose advice should be as valuable as those from new Cabinet members.

The Philippines should stop starting from scratch every six years whenever a new President is elected. Continuity of “best practices” and the build-up of Philippine competitiveness are what foreign investors already here and those still to come want to see happen.

Why Indonesia outperforms the Philippines

In the Philippine Daily Inquirer (31 October), UP Professor Eduardo Tadem reported: “Not too long ago, Indonesia was Southeast Asia’s basket case. Within the region, it was hardest hit by the 1997-1998 financial crisis and subsequently plunged into a cycle of political and social unrest and economic decline. Today, however, Indonesia has attained levels of stability and prosperity few would have imagined possible just a decade ago... In only 12 years, and despite bumps along the way, Indonesia has managed well the transition from centralized authoritarianism to a vibrant and stable democracy, a feat none of its Southeast Asian neighbors have been able to achieve.”

Quoting Japanese historian Takashi Shiraishi, Professor Tadem mentioned three factors to which Indonesia’s remarkable recovery can be attributed: (1) successful decentralization, (2) containment of religious and ethnic conflicts at the local level, and (3) strong nationalist imprint traceable throughout the country’s history.

To these reasons for Indonesia’s renaissance, let me add a fourth, equally critical, factor: the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

In August, 2003, as SBY was campaigning for the presidency, he visited me in Alabang. As one retired general to another, he asked me pointblank: “How did you win it in the Philippines?”

I simply told him: “Organize and gather around you as many NGOs countrywide and they will carry you to victory.”

President Obama’s Asian tour

On many occasions, President Barack Obama has declared Asia as the region most vital to American prosperity and security. His own foreign travel schedule may be helpful to P-Noy’s planners – even if their circumstances are totally different. The Agence France Presse reported (2 November): “In India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan, Obama will cement his strategic outreach to Asia, a year after dubbing himself America’s ‘first Pacific President.’

“His visit will be a clear sign that he sees Asia, with its fast-emerging economies, dynamic populations, vibrant markets, and rising strategic clout, as perhaps the most vital global region to American prosperity and security.

“The President will spend three days in Mumbai and New Delhi, promoting business, remembering terror victims, and addressing India’s Parliament... Next up is Indonesia, Obama’s home for four years and a speech aimed at Muslims, ahead of the G20 Summit in Seoul and the APEC summit in Yokohama, Japan. Obama’s tour is the latest in a flurry of diplomatic missions to Asia by administration heavy hitters, reinvigorating a regional policy aides say was neglected by his predecessor George Bush.”

South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia

Obviously, the Philippines is still not on Obama’s radar screen.

In previous columns (22 and 29 August), I focused on South Korea as a model of nation-building and development from out of the ashes of war.

It is likewise time for our leaders to look to Vietnam and Indonesia as success stories, and for Filipinos to prove that we, too, have a strong national spirit. Kaya natin ito!


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/286242/pnoys-aseanasia-debut

British govt clarifies PH travel advisory


Monday, 08 November 2010 00:00
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the British government on Sunday clarified that it has not changed the level of its travel warning to the Philippines, but merely defined more specific information on where alleged terrorist attacks might take place. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said the Philippine embassy in London through Philippine charge d’affaires to London Reynaldo Catapang “sought clarification” from the British foreign office regarding its issuance of a travel advisory to Manila earlier this week.

“FCO officials informed the Philippine embassy officials that the UK did not issue a new travel advice, but rather only added a minor sentence in their advisory to include a few general locations where terrorist attacks may take place,” Malaya said in a text message.

“The FCO explained that its assessment of the overall level of threat in the Philippines has not changed over a year. They also underscored that travel advices needed to be ‘accurate’ but also ‘sensitive to the needs and perspective of the Philippines,’” he added.

On Tuesday, the British government—as well as the governments of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand—warned their citizens of the high risk of terrorist and insurgent activities in the country’s Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago areas.

The advisory also said that terrorist attacks—including forms of kidnapping and other crimes—might also take place in the country’s capital of Manila.

The French government on Friday has also issued a travel advisory to its citizens regarding the country’s security shortly before President Benigno Aquino 3rd admitted that there were some intelligence reports of terrorist attacks to the country and threats to two ambassadors.

Malaya said that the Foreign Affairs department “welcomes this clarification from the UK [United Kingdom] government.”

He said that pursuant to the instructions of President Aquino, the department on Thursday and Friday “sent notes verbale to six foreign embassies, seeking clarification on the basis for the issuance of their respective travel advisories and reiterated its request to be furnished any intelligence information regarding threats of terrorism, so that precautionary measures can be immediately undertaken.”

“The central challenge is to give all the information necessary to protect the public and at the same time try not to frighten people unreasonably. Filipinos can go about their business normally, with the knowledge that our police and security agencies are hard at work,” Malaya said.
BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON


http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/31698-british-govt-clarifies-ph-travel-advisory-

Aquino bares agenda
By GENALYN D. KABILING
November 8, 2010, 8:43am

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is expected to promote sustainable economic growth and campaign on terrorism when he visits Japan this week.

Aquino is also expected to push for closer economic and security cooperation among members of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) when he attends the summit in Yokohama, Japan. The President's third journey abroad will start on November 11 and end on November 15.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said that the President would first rally support for a free trade zone that would include all 21 economies of APEC amid a faltering global economic recovery. The Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) would supposedly benefit the country in the form of enhanced trade and investments as well as job generation.

The President will also cite the need for “balanced, inclusive, sustainable knowledge-based growth” during the APEC leaders’ meeting, Coloma said. Such economic development considers the closing of the gap between the rich and the poor and between advanced and developed countries, protection of the environment and natural resources, and use of new technology to speed up progress, he added.

Another issue that will be taken up by the President at the APEC assembly is human security. Coloma said this issue involves counter-terrorism measures, counter-insurgency, disaster preparedness, promotion of food security, and prevention of infectious diseases.

The fourth and last agenda of the President is to strengthen the capacity of APEC member-economies to implement these programs through economic and technical cooperation.



http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/286421/aquino-bares-agenda