President Aquino holds talks with Hong Kong
Chief Executive
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Monday that he met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying
at the sidelines of the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit
being held here from October 6 to 8.
In a press conference with Filipino media
covering his attendance to the Summit, the President said that he and the Hong
Kong Chief Executive discussed the hostage crisis that happened in Luneta in
August 2010 where eight hostages from Hong Kong were killed.
The President said each side brought up what
they had been doing to put the issue behind us.
“Hostage crisis yung pinag-usapan. Perspective
nila versus perspective natin, nagkaroon ng clarification as to what each side
has been doing, why the perception of each side is such. So we are working on
to put that behind us,” the President said.
He added that the meeting he had with Leung
showed “that we are all sincerely trying to come to a solution to that hostage
crisis.” PND (rck)
President Aquino sees no curtailment of press
freedom after Indonesian security forces barred journalists from Hong Kong from
covering APEC Summit
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Monday that he saw no curtailment of press freedom imposed by
Indonesian security forces on several Hong Kong journalists after they were
barred from covering the events of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Summit for unruly behavior.
The President told Filipino media members that
everyone has to conform to certain norms of behavior, referring to the
journalists who should have just kept their cool and refrained from shouting
out their questions to him at the APEC CEO Summit held here on Sunday.
“Well, medyo parang pasigaw. Tsaka, medyo very
aggressive. Yung ating Indonesian host medyo nagulat. Parang hindi tama yung
behavior,” the President said.
“Siguro naman, kahit saan tayo pumunta, you are
expected to conform to certain norms of behavior,” he added.
He pointed out that it would be unfair to a
guest of the Philippines if we allowed anyone to just do what they want without
considering the consequences of their actions.
“Kung ginawa sa atin ito at ginawa sa ating
bisita, are we expected to be so hospitable? Paano naman ang bisita natin?” the
President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino says Code of Conduct governing
West Philippine Sea getting nearer
(BALI, Indonesia) An agreement between China and
the Philippines concerning the Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea) may soon become a reality, Philippine President Benigno S.
Aquino III said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters covering his attendance to
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit being held here from
October 6 to 8, the President said that talks towards inking an agreement on a
Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea have brought a true Code of Conduct
between the two countries closer.
“Conscious ang bawat panig na hindi na gagawa ng
aksyon na lalo pang magpapasama ng sitwasyon,” the President said.
“So 10 years later, hindi pa rin umuusad yung
paguusap tungkol sa Code of Conduct pero ngayon nagkakaroon ng mga meetings
tungo sa pagbabalangkas, pamumunga ng COC at parang naisantabi ang sampung taon
eh ...ngayon nasa forefront ng pag-iisip ng lahat kung papaano pa natin
mapapabilis yung pagkakamit, pagkatapos ng pagbabalangkas, at mapagkakasunduan
ang isang COC,” he added.
He pointed out however that although both sides
were conscious of the need to draft a COC, hard work was still needed in order
for peace in the West Philippine Sea to reign.
“Hindi ko sinasabi na malapit na, na malapit na
tayo magkapirmahan sa Code of Conduct pero naikumbinsi na ang lahat para
mapag-usapan ito at palagay ko umabante na yung solusyon para dito sa hidwaan
doon sa mga pinagtatalunan na isla at foundations sa South China o West
Philippine Sea,” the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino accepts LTO chief’s exit
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno Aquino III
confirmed that he has accepted the decision of Land Transportation Office (LTO)
chief Virginia Torres to quit her post saying that it may be the “best route”
for her and the entire agency.
During the President’s coffee meeting with media
here on Monday night, he said that he did not force Torres to resign.
“Well, nag-usap kami. At syempre iyong last issue
niya, ipinaliwanag ko, kababayan ko naman siya, sabi ko: ‘Parang hindi ko naman
yata kailangan nitong…iyong parang paliwanag pa,’ at naintindihan naman niya,”
the President said.
“Parang ito na ang better route. Less stress for
her, less stress for her family at saka baka better for the agency na it
attends to everything it has to attend to rather than... di ba maski papaano
madi-divert ang focus [and its] attention. So, I don’t think I forced her. I
told her the lay of the land, quoted certain things, and she agreed with the
end point,” he added. Torres has been a subject of criticisms recently after
being caught on video playing a slot machine inside a casino.
Malacanang’s Memorandum Circular No. 8 prohibits
all government personnel concerned “from entering, staying and/or playing at
gambling casinos."
“On the basis of the last incident parang that
was very clear. Ngayon… mas matanda siya sa akin, babae siya, ayaw mo namang
bibigyan siya ng payo na mabigat, na lalo mo pang pahihirapan. Huwag naman sanang
salt being rubbed on an injury,” he said.
The President has yet to decide on who will
replace Torres saying that he has tasked Department of Transportation and
Communications Secretary Jun Abaya to find her replacement.
Meanwhile, President Aquino also confirmed here
that former Senator Francis Pangilinan, whom he promised to give a post in his
administration, has decided not to join the government at the moment.
“He was actually talking about certain functions
in DA in particular that he wanted at siguro parang nahihiya siya, ano, after
having so many meetings discussing exactly where he feels he can fit in biglang
meron silang needs in the family and he has two children na quite young. Siguro
nasabihan silang ‘O ang daddy ninyo hindi masyadong busy, will not be running,
ano, he will not be attending to this and that...," he said.
The President said he accepted Pangilinan’s
explanation “in face value” and respected his decision.
On the appointment of former Senator Panfilo
Lacson, the President said the Office of the Executive Secretary is still
“ironing out the details of exactly what the scope of his functions are” to
avoid overlap and violation of any existing law. PND (jb)
President Aquino invites Indonesian, Peru
Presidents to visit the Phlilppines
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno Aquino III
has invited Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Peru President
Ollanta Humala to visit the Philippines as he talked to the two leaders at the
sidelines of his attendance to the 21st Asia Pacific Economic Summit here.
President Aquino said he thanked Yudhoyono for
his country’s long-term relations with the Philippines and their commitment to
help in the review process of the Philippine government’s 1996 peace accord
with the Moro National Liberation Front.
“Again, they have been a very constant friend. I
can even attest to the fact that Indonesia as a people, during my mother’s time
was already helping us address the issue with MNLF,” he said.
“So imagine how many decades have passed and
they are still here. They haven’t gotten tired of helping us and they have, in
fact, reiterated their desire to continue helping us as far as that aspect is
concerned,” he added.
President Aquino said Yudhoyono expressed his
desire to visit Manila next year.
The President also invited Peru President
Ollanta Humala, whom he shared the stage as panelists during the APEC CEO
Summit’s forum on inclusive growth last Sunday.
“I invited him for a visit. I think we have
established a very deep relationship with them. Parehong pinagdaanan iyong
fight against communist insurgents, iyong rightist government, iyong emerging
economy, iyong addressing inclusiveness,” he said.
He added that he shared some insights to the
Peru leader regarding promoting tourism in the Philippines.
“Sabi niya: ‘We want to improve our tourism. So,
pinakita ko sa kanya ‘yung ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ Sabi niya we do
three million (visitors) a year, sabi ko that’s what we started out with, three
million, but we are now between five and six million for this year. We are
targeting 10,” Aquino said.
President Aquino also had a brief talk with
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who has been so much open in
hosting some 25,000 to 30,000 Filipinos in their country.
“Si Prime Minister [Peter] O’Neill naman ng
Papua New Guinea told me that there are between 25,000 to 30,000 Filipinos
already in Papua New Guinea in various businesses helping them out from finance,
to real estate, to agriculture. Sabi niya for them, very significant na raw
iyong 25,000, 30,000 na expatriates dahil mas maliit silang bansa sa atin,” he
related.
“So, again, we have somebody that we can…Who’s
already helping us in terms of our fishing industry, who is very friendly and
we want to cultivate this for the benefit of our people as well as their
people,” the President added. PND (jb)
President Aquino signs bill amending Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into
law a bill amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, in order to
exempt a child fifteen (15) years of age or under at the time of the commission
of the offense from criminal liability.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief
Executive signed on October 3 Republic Act No. 10630 otherwise known as
"An Act Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines,"
amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the
“Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 and appropriating funds
therefor."
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill
No. 3324 and House Bill No. 6052 was finally passed by the Senate and the House
of Representatives on June 5, 2013.
The law aims to protect the welfare of children
in conflict with the law, majority of whom are guilty of petty crimes such as
petty theft, vagrancy and sniffing glue.
Under the law, a child 15 years old and under at
the time of the commission of the crime, will be exempted from criminal
liability.
However, the said child shall be subjected to a
community-based intervention program supervised by the local social welfare and
development officer, unless the best interest of the child requires the
referral of the child to a youth care facility or Bahay Pag-asa managed by
local government units (LGUs) or licensed and/or accredited non-government
organizations monitored by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).
The law provides that a child above 15 years but
below 18 years of age shall likewise be exempt from criminal liability and be
subjected to an intervention program, unless he/she has acted with discernment,
in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in
accordance with this Act.
These minors can face civil liabilities in
accordance with existing laws.
A child who is above 12 years of age up to 15
years of age and who commits parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and
serious illegal detention where the victim is killed or raped, robbery, with
homicide or rape, destructive arson, rape, or carnapping where the driver or
occupant is killed or raped or offenses under Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) punishable by more than 12 years of imprisonment,
shall be deemed a neglected child under Presidential Decree No. 603, as
amended.
The child shall be mandatorily placed in a
special facility within the youth care faculty or Bahay Pag-asa called the
Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center.
Repeat offenders, or children who have committed
crimes more than three times, be considered as neglected children and, as such,
must undergo intervention programs supervised by the local social welfare and
development officers.
The law provides the maximum penalty for those
who exploit children such as syndicates, for the commission of criminal
offenses.
The law mandates the creation of the Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) to ensure the effective implementation of
this Act.
As an attached agency of the DSWD, the JJWC
shall be chaired by a DSWD Undersecretary. The JJWC will be required to conduct
a periodic study on the age of discernment to provide basis for a legislative
review.
The law also provides assistance to victims of
crimes committed by children.
The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the
JJWC under the budget of the Department of Justice.
"Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of
the DSWD under the annual General Appropriations Act: Provided, that the amount
of Four Hundred Million Pesos (P400,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the
construction of ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ rehabilitation centers in provinces or cities
with high incidence of children in conflict with the law," the law said.
The JJWC shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations within 60 days from the effectivity of this Act.
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. PND (js)
President Aquino signs bill amending Animal
Welfare Act of 1998
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into
law a bill amending the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 in order to impose higher
penalties on persons found guilty of animal cruelty, maltreatment and neglect.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief
Executive signed on October 3 Republic Act No. 10631 otherwise known as
"An Act Amending Certain Sections of Republic Act No. 8485,"
otherwise known as "The Animal Welfare Act of 1998.″
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill
No. 3329 and House Bill No. 6893 was finally passed by the Senate and the House
of Representatives on June 6, 2013.
The law aims to protect and promote the welfare
of all terrestrial, aquatic and marine animals in the Philippines by supervising
and regulating the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for
breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals either as
objects of trade or as household pets, including birds.
Under the law, animal welfare pertains to the
physical and psychological well-being of animals. It includes, but not limited
to, the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation of animals
by humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and
general care, the prevention and treatment of disease and the assurance of
freedom from fear, distress, harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain,
and allowing animals to express normal behavior.
"It shall be unlawful for any person to
torture any animal, to neglect, to provide adequate care, sustenance of
shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or
horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate
care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or
experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare,"
the law said.
The killing of any animal other than cattle,
pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos and horses is likewise hereby
declared unlawful with "certain exceptions."
Under the law, it is unlawful for any person who
has custody of an animal to abandon the animal.
Any person who subjects any animal to cruelty,
maltreatment or neglect, upon conviction by final judgment, shall be punished
by imprisonment of 1 year and 6 months and 1 day to 2 years and/or a fine not
exceeding P100,000.00 if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or
neglect dies.
The violator shall suffer imprisonment of 1 year
and 1 day to one 1 year and 6 months and/or a fine not exceeding P50,000.00 if
the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect survives but is
severely injured with loss of its natural faculty to survive on its own and
needing human intervention to sustain its life.
The violator shall suffer imprisonment of 6
months to 1 year and/or a fine not exceeding P30,000.00 for subjecting any
animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect but without causing its death or
incapacitating it to survive on its own.
If the violation is committed by a juridical
person, the officer responsible thereof shall serve the imprisonment. If the
violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported
after the service of sentence without any further proceeding.
“The foregoing penalties shall also apply for
any other violation of this Act, depending upon the effect or result of the act
or omission as defined in the immediately preceding sections. However,
regardless of the resulting condition to the animal/s, the penalty of 2 years
and 1 day to 3 years and/or a fine not exceeding P250,000.00 shall be imposed
if the offense is committed by any of the following: (1) a syndicate; (2) an
offender who makes business out of cruelty to an animal; (3) a public officer
or employee; or (4) where at least three (3) animals are involved," the
law said.
In any of the foregoing situations, the offender
shall suffer subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency and the inability to
pay the fine, the law said.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture
shall deputize animal welfare enforcement officers from non-government
organizations, citizens groups, community organizations and other volunteers
who have undergone the necessary training for this purpose.
The Philippine National Police, the National
Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies shall designate
animal welfare enforcement officers. As such, animal welfare enforcement
officers shall have the authority to seize and rescue illegally traded and
maltreated animals and to arrest violators of this Act subject to the
guidelines of existing laws and rules and regulations on arrest and detention.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture,
upon the recommendation of the Committee on Animal Welfare, shall promulgate
the guidelines on the criteria and training requirements for the deputization
of animal welfare enforcement officers; and establish a mechanism for the
supervision, monitoring and reporting of these enforcement officers.
This Act shall take effect after 15 days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 2 newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier. PND (js)
Philippines has huge role to play in ASEAN, says
envoy
(BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam) The
Philippines has a huge role to play in the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) this year given its stellar economic performance recently under
the helm of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN
Elizabeth Buensuceso said the Philippines is now being regarded by some
observers as a “rich nation pretending to be poor” as the country continues to
enjoy a positive run in the economic front.
“Napakalaki ng papel ng Pilipinas. They’re also
watching us kasi nga... tayo ang may pinakamabilis na pagbulusok ng ekonomiya.
What are we doing right? We also want to share,” Buensuceso said in an
interview.
The Philippines has recently notched an
investment grade rating from Moody’s Investors Service which also assigned a
positive outlook to the rating. Two other major ratings firms, Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings, have likewise given the country a
similar rating earlier this year.
Buensuceso noted further that the Philippines
has already removed itself from the ‘mendicant’ tag as some nations no longer
see it as the one at the receiving end of a favor but the other way around.
“Hindi na tayo ‘yung mendicant – pahingi,
pahingi. Hindi ganoon ang ano… Merong nagsabing isang author, sabi niya, ‘we
are a rich nation pretending to be poor.’ We are a rich nation,” Buensuceso
said.
As a longtime member of the ASEAN, the
Philippines is expected to share its expertise on areas where its strengths lie
particularly on social protection in support of small entrepreneurs who may be
affected by the ASEAN integration, Buensuceso said.
“Ang isinusulong natin diyan ay kung papaano
matulungan ang mga ordinaryong tao in the process of integration kasi there’s
no other way. We’re all going towards free movement of goods and services, at
titingnan natin kung papaano natin matulungan ang mga medyo maaapektuhan,
matatamaan ng pagsulong na iyan,” she said. PND (hdc)
President Aquino leaves Bali, Indonesia for
Brunei Darussalam for 23rd ASEAN Summit
(BALI, Indonesia) Following a successful
attendance at the 21st Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting,
President Benigno S. Aquino III left Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday to attend the
23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that is being held
in Brunei Darussalam from October 9-10.
The President arrived at Bali’s Ngurah Rai
International Airport at around 2:04 p.m., boarded his chartered Philippines
Air Lines flight PR001 at 2:06 p.m. and after conforming all pre-travel checks,
the flight left the tarmac at 2:25 p.m.
Joining the President for the trip was a small
contingent of Cabinet Secretaries led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del
Rosario, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar
Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and National Economic and Development
Authority Chief Arsenio Balicasan.
The President will be participating in nine
summits in Brunei when he joins fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast
Asian (ASEAN) in the 23rd ASEAN Summit in that country.
On October 9, the President will participate in
the 23rd ASEAN Summit, 16th ASEAN-Japan Summit, 16th ASEAN-Republic of Korea
Summit, 16th ASEAN-China Summit, and the 1st ASEAN-US Summit, Foreign Affairs
Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said.
On October 10, Thursday, he will join other
leaders in the 16th ASEAN-plus three Summit, 8th East Asia Summit, 11th
ASEAN-India Summit, and the 5th ASEAN-UN Summit.
The 23rd ASEAN Summit will revolve on
discussions of the ASEAN Community 2015 and beyond, ASEAN’s central role and
external relations, and regional and international issues. PND (rck)
President Aquino joins APEC counterparts in
committing to strategic points aimed at further building on the successes of
the regional bloc to benefit more people
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino
III joined his counterparts in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in
committing to achieving several strategic points aimed at further building upon
the successes of the regional economic bloc for the benefit of a wider range of
people.
In signing the 21st APEC Economic Leaders’
Declaration of 2013, the leaders, all 21 Member Economies from Australia,
Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, China,
Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, Peru, The Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand,
United States of America, Vietnam and The Republic of the Philippines have
committed first to redouble efforts to attain the Bogor Goals in 2020.
The Bogor Goals was conceptualized in 1994 after
APEC members convening in the Indonesian city of Bogor set the goal of free and
open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and have since remained
the inspirational strength behind APEC's agenda.
“The past 19 years of determination and
persistent labor towards the attainment of free and open trade under the Bogor
Goals have produced an extraordinary period of prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
The rules-based multilateral trading system and our shared belief in open
regionalism have lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty across the entire
region and fostered open, emerging and innovative economies that are now
fueling our growth,” the APEC leaders said in its declaration.
The APEC leaders also agreed to increase
intra-APEC trade or intra-region trade including trade facilitation, capacity
building and the functioning of a multi-lateral trade system.
This reference to the multilateral trade system
is a recognition that although the promotion of such intra-APEC trade
cooperation brings concrete benefit to the APEC economies, the success of the
multilateral regime remains critical,” the declaration said.
“In this regard, we have agreed on a Declaration
which supports the multilateral trading system,” it added.
The APEC leaders also said it would invest in
infrastructure to accelerate APEC’s physical, institutional and
people-to-people connectivity which it said could help reduce the production
and transportation costs, strengthen regional supply-chain, and improve
business climate in the region.
Aside from these, the APEC leaders agreed to
enhance the participation of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs),
youth, and women entrepreneurs to achieve a strong, balanced, sustainable and
inclusive global growth; agreed to cooperate in enhancing regional food, energy
and water security; ensure APEC’s synergy and complementarily with other
multilateral and regional processes such as East Asia Summit and G20; and
agreed to closer collaboration with the business sector through the APEC
Business Advisory Council.
“Now that we have all these agreements and
commitments, we must show to the world that APEC will continue to play a
significant role in global economy,” APEC said. PND (rck)
APEC calls for region-wide partnerships to
counter weakening global growth
(BALI, Indonesia) The Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation is calling on its member countries to instigate region-wide
partnerships which it said could counter a weakening global growth and create
better quality and more productive jobs, attract more investments, reduce
poverty and improve living standards.
In its 23-page APEC Leaders’ Declaration 2013,
the APEC said that while the regional bloc had already taken a number of
important policy actions that have helped to contain key tail risks, improve
financial market conditions and sustain recovery, the trend still tilts toward
the downside.
“Nevertheless, global growth is too weak, risks
remain tilted to the downside, global trade is weakening and the economic
outlook suggests growth is likely to be slower and less balanced than desired,”
the APEC declaration said.
“We share the urgency for region-wide
partnership to create better quality and more productive jobs, attract private
investments, reduce poverty, and improve living standards,” it added.
The APEC said it recognized the need to
strengthen macroeconomic policies and to work together to promote sustainable
and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region and thus has agreed to
“implement prudent and responsible macroeconomic policies to ensure mutually
reinforcing effect of growth and to maintain economic and financial stability
in the region and prevent a negative spillover effect.” PND (rck)
President Aquino arrives in Brunei for the 23rd
ASEAN Summit
(BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam)
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived in Brunei Tuesday to participate in
nine meetings for the 23rdAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit
with fellow heads of states and other dialogue partners.
President Aquino landed at 4:30 p.m. via
Philippine Airlines flight PR001 together with his official delegation that
include Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Cabinet Secretary Jose
Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory
Domingo and National Economic and Development Authority Chief Arsenio
Balicasan.
President Aquino’s official activities here will
start Wednesday with the 23rdASEAN Summit followed by the 16th ASEAN-Japan
Summit, the 16thASEAN-South Korea Summit, the 16th ASEAN-China Summit, and the
1stASEAN-United States Summit respectively.
After which, President Aquino will attend the
Gala Dinner to be hosted by this year’s ASEAN chair, Sultan Hassanil Bolkiah,
along with all the participating heads of states and governments.
On Thursday, four meetings will occupy President
Aquino’s schedule including the 16th ASEAN-Plus Three Summit, the 8th East Asia
Summit, the 11th ASEAN-India Summit, and the 5th ASEAN-United Nations Summit.
Discussions in the 23rd ASEAN Summit will
revolve around the ASEAN Community 2015 and beyond, ASEAN’s central role and
external relations, and regional and international issues.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raul
Hernandez earlier said Brunei listed the management of maritime issues,
especially on territorial disputes regarding the South China Sea, as one of its
priorities in the summit which is supported by the Philippines.
“We will maintain our position that the issues
in the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully and through a rules-based
approach under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Hernandez told
reporters in a Palace briefing last week.
The Philippines will also continue to vouch for
the micro, small, and medium enterprises to achieve sustainable growth with
equity and facilitating free flow of goods; the safeguarding of vulnerable
populations through social protection efforts; the deepening of engagement with
our external partners and the maintenance of ASEAN centrality; and the
adherence to the rule of law and maritime security and cooperation.
The Philippines will likewise advocate for the
strengthening of economic relations through enhanced trade, investments, and
tourism efforts; people-to-people connectivity; and environmental protection
and climate change mitigation and adaptation in other summits.
Host Brunei takes on the theme “Our People, Our
Future Together” for this year’s ASEAN, which stresses the significance of the
role of the citizens of member countries in community building efforts in the
areas of political-security, economic, and socio-cultural, and in realizing the
vision of the ASEAN community by 2015.
Before returning home to Manila on Thursday
afternoon, President Aquino will attend the closing ceremony and the handover
of the ASEAN chairmanship of Brunei to Myanmar at the end of the summit. PND
(hdc)
Philippines, other APEC member-countries
reaffirm commitment to Free Trade in Asia Pacific
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno Aquino III
and the other 20 leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have
reaffirmed commitment to achieve a Free Trade Area of the Asia- Pacific.
This was included in the 21st APEC Economic
Leaders’ Declaration issued Tuesday at the conclusion of the three-day APEC
Leader’s Meeting at the Bali International Convention Center here with the theme
“Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth.”
In the declaration, the 21 member-economies
agreed to achieve a free trade area in the region by continuing APEC's work to
provide leadership and intellectual input into the process of regional economic
integration.
It cited that the APEC has an important role to
play in coordinating information sharing, transparency, and capacity building,
and will hold a policy dialogue on regional and free trade agreements.
“We agreed to enhance communication on regional
and free trade agreements, as well as increase the capacity of APEC economies
to engage in substantive negotiations,” the declaration stated.
Recognizing that trade and investment are
critical to the creation of better quality jobs and increased prosperity of the
people in Asia Pacific, the APEC leaders reiterated commitment to uphold APEC's
role towards achieving the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment by
2020.
The 21 heads of state/goverment meanwhile issued
a separate statement supporting the multilateral trading system and the
9thMinisterial Conference of the World Trade Organization as the Doha
Development Agenda negotiations are seen to be “at a critical juncture."
APEC has been a very important venue for the
Philippines to discuss economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in
the Asia-Pacific region. As a member of APEC, the Philippines is working to
sustain economic growth through a commitment to free and open trade, investment
liberalization and facilitation, and economic reform. PND (jb)
President Aquino joins APEC leaders against
raising new trade and investment barriers
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino
III joined his counterparts at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in
calling for restraint against raising new trade and investment barriers in
order to maintain a balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure
growth.
In signing the APEC Declaration of 2013 on
Tuesday, the President was one with 20 other member countries in expressing
their commitment to extend their standstill commitment until the end of 2016.
“While trade growth and investment flows within,
the APEC region has outperformed the rest of the world. We should nevertheless
guard against the pressure to raise new trade and investment barriers. To that
end, we extended our standstill commitment until the end of 2016 and reaffirmed
our pledge to roll back protectionist and trade-distorting measures,” the APEC
declaration said.
The regional bloc also committed “to take
decisive actions to reinforce confidence, foster financial stability, and
strengthen our medium-term growth potential, while remaining vigilant in our
joint effort to strengthen global recovery and to ensure a balanced, inclusive,
sustainable, innovative, and secure growth, as espoused in the Yokohama
vision.”
The Yokohama vision is a declaration of the
Leaders of APEC, gathered in Yokohama under the 2010 theme of "Change and
Action" to articulate our vision of further building and integrating the
Asia-Pacific region in the 21st Century, and the paths to realize that vision,
in which they commit to develop practical disaster risk management mechanisms
to strengthen the ability of their economies to manage emergencies and natural
disasters. PND (rck)
APEC leader vows to link economies, markets
closer
(BALI, Indonesia) The 21 member-economies of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have recognized the need to strengthen
the connectivity of the economies and markets in the Asia Pacific region.
President Benigno Aquino III as well as the 20
other APEC leaders listed a number of ways to link the economies and markets in
the region as contained in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration issued
Tuesday here.
The leaders agreed to advance the implementation
of the APEC commitment to reduce tariffs on the APEC List of Environmental Goods
(EGs) to five percent or less by the end of 2015.
The APEC Public Private Partnership on
Environmental Goods and Services (PPEGS) will also be established to enhance
work to address trade and investment issues relevant to the sector.
The APEC countries also vowed to explore trade
in products that contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through rural
development and poverty alleviation.
They also acknowledged the work this year on
local content requirements and welcomed the APEC Best Practices to Create Jobs
and Increase Competitiveness.
The 21 member countries also committed to
continue to implement the APEC Investment Facilitation Action Plan by advancing
Public Private Dialogue on Investment and encourage officials to work with the
private sector to build and improve upon Corporate Social Responsibility
practices and sustainable investment.
The APEC leaders also have decided to push for
actions that will address the next generation in trade and investment issues as
agreed in 2011 and 2012 by finalizing the APEC Innovation and Trade
Implementation Practices.
Lastly, the leaders recognized the need to
foster broader participation of the private sector in advancing trade in
services to create better quality and more productive jobs, and increase the
productivity of the industries in the region. PND (jb)
APEC leaders aim to expand women’s role in
economy
(BALI, Indonesia) The 21 member countries of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) have aimed to broaden the
participation of women in achieving economic growth in the Asia Pacific region.
In the 2013 APEC Leaders’ declaration, the heads
of states have agreed to take further steps toward empowering, engaging and
opening opportunities for stakeholders, with emphasis on women, in contributing
to economic growth.
The leaders agreed to expand women’s
participation in the economy by creating an enabling environment such as
development of gender related structural reform measures, improved women’s
training support, as well as the development of entrepreneurial culture.
The leaders also recognized the need for women
to have equal access to quality education and employment opportunities and
greater access to market and financial services including capital, particularly
for women-owned small, medium enterprises (SMEs).
"The SMEs global competitiveness will be
enhanced by improving access to finance and markets, supporting
entrepreneurship, accelerating the growth of start-ups, strengthening
capacities for business continuity and empowering our SMEs to expand to
international markets and to participate in global supply chains," the
declaration issued during the conclusion of the 2013 APEC CEO Summit here
stated.
To further improve economic growth, the APEC
countries also agreed to encourage regional collaboration to facilitate trade
finance for SMEs, recognizing that trade finance instruments can help facilitate
trade and can support SMEs that trade internationally.
They also encouraged to promote responsible
innovative approaches to increase financial eligibility of the poor and SMEs
and improve delivery channels to extend the benefit of financial services to
those who still do not have access to the financial system, thereby enhancing
financial inclusion in the region.
The APEC leaders also acknowledged the “crucial”
role of farmers and fishers, particularly small holders and women, in the
achievement of food security, by strengthening their capacities, to take an
important role in the supply chain, and creating a solid partnership between
government and private sector.
The leaders also agreed to create an APEC
Network of Anti-Corruption Authorities and Law Enforcement Agencies (ACT-NET)
that will strengthen informal and formal regional and cross-border cooperation
and advance greater collaboration among law enforcement authorities, in
combating corruption, bribery, money laundering, and illicit trade.
Lastly, the APEC member countries vowed to
strengthen cooperation among governments, scientists and business sector to
promote science, technology and innovation in the region. PND (jb)
