December 5, 2011
The Philippines and Korea have a long history of partnership, with Filipinos dedicating their lives in Korea’s struggle for freedom.
The Korean War in its broadest sense was a crucial battle for the Republic of Korea (ROK) as a nation; but with regard to its bilateral relations with the Philippines, it served as the foundation of a friendship, which was solidified by constant partnership in various circumstances and which both nations continue to enjoy.
The deployment to South Korea of […]
Read More
November 28, 2011
This month, two meetings of great import to the region and to our country were held – one in Bali, and the other one in Hawaii. These are the recently-concluded 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
There were also related meetings conducted along the sidelines of the APEC and ASEAN that are also important.
These meetings have attracted great attention, mainly because some of the world’s economic powers were represented […]
Read More
November 24, 2011
(Standard Greetings)
Allow me first to thank the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for inviting me to this conference that is very significant to our advocacy of strengthening disaster risk reduction efforts in the community level.
Disaster risks, by all indications, are increasing exponentially. The fusion of socio-economic realities and extreme climatic events has confounded gallant attempts by governments. We cannot, however, be caught off-balanced and discouraged, and instead, try to match our best intentions with a […]
Read More
November 23, 2011
Mr. President
The world will commemorate on November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Sixteen years after the country adopted its first special law to protect women against sexual harassment and six other special laws thereafter, we continue to be hounded by an increasing incidence of violence against women.
The number of violence against women cases reported to the Philippine National Police rose by 52% from the figure of 2009, based on official figures compiled […]
Read More
November 21, 2011
(Standard Greetings)
It is my distinct pleasure to speak before you today in this important conference in observance of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week.
Disasters do not only abound. They have also become deadlier. Climate change has caused many nations to suffer stronger typhoons, sea level rise, more flashfloods, and more devastating droughts. If proof is what we need to substantiate these claims, we already have more than enough.
In 2009, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng left nearly a thousand […]
Read More
