President Aquino leads commemoration of the
114th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs
President Benigno S. Aquino III joined officials
and employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs in commemorating the 114th
Founding Anniversary of the agency held at its main headquarters in Pasay City
on Thursday.
The celebration coincided with the 148th birth
anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs under
the Administration of former President Emilio Aguinaldo.
To properly honor Mabini, the President led the
awarding ceremonies for the Gawad Mabini, which is conferred upon personnel of
the DFA and Filipinos who have steadfastly rendered distinguished service and
have promoted the interests of the Republic of the Philippines at home and
overseas.
The Gawad Mabini, which is divided into three
categories: Rank of Dakilang Kamanong (Grand Cross), Rank of Dakilang Kasugo
(Commander) and Rank of Kasugo (Member), was conferred to 18 personnel of the
DFA this year.
Those accorded the Rank of Dakilang Kamanong
are: Marlyn Alarilla-Ambassador to Turkey; Rodolfo Arizala-Former Ambassador
(retired); Claro Cristobal-Amb. to Egypt; Laura del Rosario-Undersecretary for
International and Economic Relations;
Linglingay Lacancale, former Ambassador to
Thailand, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Slovakia, and Consul General to New
York; Jaime Victor Ledda-Assistant Secretary, Office of Consular Affairs; Ma.
Cleofe Natividad-Amb. to Germany; Cristina Ortega-Amb. to France; and Renato Villapando-Consul
General to Macau.
Those awarded the Rank of Dakilang Kasugo are:
Elmer Cato-Special Assistant, Office of the Undersecretary for Administration;
Andre Peter Estanislao-Acting Director, Office of Consular Affairs-Passport
Division; Marlowe Miranda-First Secretary and Consul General, Philippine
Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq; and Roussel Reyes-Second Secretary and Consul,
Philippine Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The recipients of the Rank of Kasugo are: Edwin
Juan Battallones-Consular Assistant, Philippine Embassy, Beirut, Lebanon;
Amerah Dianalan-Tahir-Consular Assistant, Philippine Consulate General, Dubai,
UAE; Yolanda Ofiana-Administrative Officer and Attache, Philippine Embassy,
Hanoi, Vietnam; Arturo Romua-Officer-in-Charge, Regional Consular Office,
Pampanga; and Ebrahim Zailon-Assitant/Translator, Philppine Embassy, Riyadh,
UAE.
In his speech, the President thanked the
awardees and the DFA for emulating Mabini whose good governance, advocacy for
freedom and pride for the Philippines has been the backbone of every Filipino’s
dream for greatness.
“Mabuting pamamahala, pananagutan sa
tinatamasang kalayaan, at pagpapahayag sa mundo na isa tayong ganap at malayang
estado. Ito ang mga prinsipyong itinaguyod ni Mabini nang italaga siya ni
Pangulong Aguinaldo bilang kauna-unahang Kalihim ng Ugnayang Panlabas. At
ganitong antas ng pamumuno ang nais nating maisabuhay ng mga kasalukuyang
kawani ng Department of Foreign Affairs,” the President said.
“Kaya naman kinikilala natin sa araw na ito ang
mga katangi-tanging embahador, kawani ng DFA, at mga Pilipinong nag-ambag nang
malaki sa pagsusulong ng interes ng bansa saan mang panig sila ng daigdig
naroon,” he added.
“Congratulations po sa ating awardees sa taong
ito; maraming salamat sa malaki ninyong kontribusyon sa pagtataguyod ng
pambansang seguridad, pagsusulong ng diplomasyang pang-ekonomiko at sa
pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat,” the
President said.
The DFA was established on June 23, 1898 under
President Emilio Aguinaldo;s administration. The DFA Foundation Day is
traditionally celebrated every 23rd of June, following Presidential
Proclamation No. 1717 dated February 24, 1978. However, to ensure that more
officials and employees join the founding anniversary celebration, the DFA Day
is celebrated on July 26 this year. (rck)
Aquino orders Abad and Brillantes to go over the
budgetary requirements of COMELEC
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Commission on Elections chairman Sixto
Brillantes to discuss further the budgetary requirements of the COMELEC to
ensure that next year’s midterm elections push through without a hitch.
In a press conference after spearheading the
celebration of the 114th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Foreign
Affairs in Pasay City on Thursday, the President said the howl raised by
Brillantes over budget cuts the Comelec would go through in the 2013 General
Appropriations Act could be settled by holding discussions with Abad.
“Palagay ko kailangan nating pag-usapin muli ang
ating kalihim ng Budget and Management at si chairman Brillantes para
magkatugma ‘yung ating mga pangangailangan at ‘yung pantustos doon sa
pangangailangan na ‘yan,” the President said.
“Mukhang kulang ng konting diyalogo. E ako naman
e, sanay naman akong nagre-referee, e kakausapin natin ‘yung dalawa,” he added.
The President pointed out that as long as the
COMELEC can justify the need for additional funds, the State will do everything
in its power to provide for its need.
“…obligasyon natin na magkaroon ng mapayapa at
credible na election sa susunod na taon. Bigyan natin ng tamang kasangkapan ang
mga nangangailangan,” the President said.
“Kung maide-demonstrate na meron talagang
deficiency, obligasyon nating maghanap ng pampuno nito,” he added. (rck)
Aquino thanks DFA for efforts to uphold
Philippine sovereignty
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his
appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs for its continued efforts to
uphold Philippine sovereignty in dealing with claimants to the contested areas
in the West Philippine Sea.
In his speech keynoting the 114th Founding
Anniversary of the DFA in Pasay City on Thursday, the President said that the
DFA’s push for a Code of Conduct in the disputed area is in line with his
directive to reach a resolution on the issue diplomatically.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa walang humpay na
pagsisikap ng DFA sa pagtataguyod ng code of conduct upang pangalagaan ang
ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea, na kasalukuyang dahilan ng banggaan ng
mga bansang umaangkin sa teritoryong saklaw nito,” the President said.
He reiterated the government’s stance that
although there should be discussions on who can lay claim to certain parts of
the West Philippine Sea, the proximity of other parts to the Philippines should
mean it belongs to us and should be left out of any discussions.
“Malinaw po ang ating paninindigan: May mga
teritoryo pong kailangang pag-usapan at pagpasyahan ang pagmamay-ari, at may
mga lugar na hindi na dapat kuwestyunin dahil malinaw na teritoryo po natin
ito. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, bukas tayo sa mapayapang paglutas sa usaping ito
nang naaayon sa batas at kasunduan ng mga bansa,” the President said.
“Isusulong natin ang mga adhikaing ito habang
sinisiguro ang maayos na pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga karatig bansa.
Iginagalang natin ang karapatan ng ibang mga bansang kasalo natin sa nag-iisang
mundo sa panahong sibilisado,” he added. (rck)
Aquino declares August 11 as special non-working
day in Samar in celebration of its Foundation Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
August 11, which falls on a Saturday, as a special (non-working) day in the
province of Samar in celebration of its Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 427 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on July 10, 2012 to give the people of Samar the full opportunity to celebrate
and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On August 11, 1841, Queen Isabela II of Spain
declared Samar a province. The province celebrates Kaadlawan han Samar on
August 11 of every year to mark its Foundation Day. (js)
