Page 33 - Hello Philippines November 2015 'B' issue

November 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 22 • UK & Europe Edition PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD www.hello-philippines.com 33

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THE DFA Archives celebrated its To cap the celebration, the DFA
first anniversary with a cartographic Archives in cooperation with the Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. the said issue. Undersecretary Seguis territorial claims. Particularly, they
exhibit, entitled “Historical Truths and Foreign Service Institute conducted Carpio also graced the occasion and also indicated that the work of the highlighted that the collection and
Lies: Scarborough Shoal in Ancient a Forum entitled “Mabini Dialogue shared his extensive knowledge on the DFA Archives will be guided by three preservation of historical evidences,
Maps.” The 14-map exhibit ran from on Archival Scholarship on Maritime subject. rallying points: “Preservation, Access such as the Philippines historical
October 26 to 30 at the DFA Building in Disputes in Southeast Asia” on October and Promotion”. The three points archives relevant to its territorial
Pasay City. The material for the exhibit 30 at the Bulwagang Apolinario In his welcome remarks, DFA encapsulate the rationale and mandate and maritime disputes are crucial for
was loaned to the DFA Archives by Mabini with featured guest lecturer Undersecretary for Civilian Security of the latest unit to be established in the future of the Philippines. They
the Institute for Maritime and Ocean Prof. Ulises Granados Quiroz, Ph. D. and Consular Concerns Rafael E. Seguis the Department, the DFA Archives. likewise revealed that historical
Affairs (IMOA), which featured a of Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo stated that the project came about studies using other source materials
selection of 14 maps from the collection de México (ITAM). Prof. Granados with the realization that the historical The activities increased the such as archaeology, can also support
of Supreme Court Associate Justice discussed how archival scholarship dimension of the Maritime Dispute in awareness among various stakeholders territorial claims. n Philippine Embassy
Antonio T. Carpio. The Exhibit was and knowledge of historical Southeast Asia did not receive as much on the importance and relevance of
formally launched by Maritime and narratives can be potential tools for attention as has the legal aspect of archival research to the Philippine Philippines / November 11, 2015
Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) Assistant policy stakeholders in documenting,
Secretary Benito B. Valeriano, DFA managing and resolving maritime
Archives Head Edward C. Yulo and and territorial disputes. Guest reactors
Special Projects Units Special Assistant included Prof. Renato C. de Castro, Ph.
Blesila C. Cabrera. The maps document D. of De La Salle University (DLSU)
the territorial extent of the Philippines and Prof. Ferdinand C. Llanes, Ph. D.
since the Spanish colonial era to the of the University of the Philippines
present, covering the Scarborough (UP). The Forum was attended by
(Panatag) Shoal, and China’s historical more than 192 participants from
territorial extent and present-day the Department of Foreign Affairs,
claims in the West Philippine Sea. One government agencies, and the
of the highlights of the exhibit is a 1734 academe including National Defense
map, published in Manila by the Jesuit College of the Philippines Master of
Pedro Murillo, considered the “Mother National Security Administration
of all Philippine Maps.” (MNSA) RC 51 Class. Supreme Court

Overseas Voter Registration Surpasses the 1.4 Million Mark of Active Registered Overseas Voters
THE Department of Foreign Affairs, Commissioner-in-Charge of overseas voting squares and parks, community centers
Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS), Arthur D. Lim said, “I would like to commend and other suitable places where the host
Bids Farewell to Secretary del Rosario announced on November 12 that after the Department of Foreign Affairs, especially government allows the conduct of election
OUTGOING Ambassador of made possible through the mediation receiving the final tally reports for the the DFA-OVS, for its tremendous efforts related activities,” COMELEC Chairman
recently concluded 2014-2015 overseas contributing to the increase in the number Andres D. Bautista wrote to DFA-OVS
the Islamic Republic of Iran to the of Ambassador Mohammadi, Iran’s voting registration/certification period of the overseas registered voters. The Chair, Usec. Seguis.
last October 31 from the Foreign Service total number of overseas registered voters
Philippines Ali Asghar Mohammadi support for the Mindanao Peace Posts, Manila Cultural Offices and Local worldwide is now roughly 1.4 million. This The period for filing of application for
Overseas Voter Registration Centers, the is mainly because of our partner agencies reactivation of registration records for
made a farewell courtesy call on Process, as well as the humanitarian total number of Active Registered Voters such as the DFA-OVS, Foreign Service Posts/ the one hundred sixty-three thousand
(ARVs) surpassed the 1.4 million mark at Embassies/Consulates, Commission on nineteen (163,019) overseas voters
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. assistance that Iran extended in the 1,400,767 for the 2016 national elections. Filipino Overseas (CFO), and media partners.” who were deactivated (per COMELEC
Resolution 9983) for failing to vote in two
del Rosario on November 09 after aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda/ “This is the first time in the history “The preparations by the Department consecutive national elections has been
of Philippine overseas voting that we will and the Commission on Elections led to a extended from 31 October 2015 to 09
serving for almost five years in the Haiyan. have over one million active overseas successful start for the registration process,” December 2015.
registered voters for an election. This is Foreign Affairs Secretary Del Rosario said in
Philippines. Secretary del Rosario and Calling Philippines-Iran relations a the result of lessons learned from the a letter. In addition, COMELEC-OFOV has also
previous electoral cycles, consistent hard simplified the process of the Application
Ambassador Mohammadi expressed special relationship, the Secretary has work of our Foreign Service Posts, and “COMELEC lauds the effort of the DFA- for Reactivation for overseas voters (OVF
genuine interest of our kababayans to OVS and all the Philippine Embassies in No. 1G) by allowing the filing by either:
their appreciation for the mutual expressed optimism on the promise exercise their right to choose our new their aggressive campaign to increase the
leaders. Their desire to actively participate number of registered Overseas Filipino u Sending a copy of the duly
support that was extended during the of closer relations between the two in our political process could be a sign that Voters. I sincerely appreciate the initiatives accomplished OVF No. 1G via e-mail to
our democracy has reached a new level of to put up overseas registration centers in the overseasvoting.reactivation@comelec.
maturity after almost thirty years of its country as well as in our Embassies. I also gov.ph or through facsimile to (0632) 521-
restoration,” explained DFA-OVS Chair, commend the Embassies for including the 29-52; or
Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis. overseas voting registration in their mobile
consular services. I hope we can further v Personally or through mail at the
In a letter to Foreign Affairs look into the possibility of holding these nearest Embassy, Consulate, Mission,
Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, COMELEC registrations in public areas like malls, public MECO or at the Office for Overseas Voting
(OFOV) in COMELEC, Manila. n November 14,

2015

Ambassador’s term of assignment in countries in the post-sanctions period faced some challenges in the past, international candidatures, human student community in the Philippines
these have been overcome. Amidst rights, and respect for the rule of law. and within the overseas Filipino
the Philippines. after the implementation of the Joint these challenges, bilateral consultation He emphasized that the successful community in Iran.
meetings remained in the agenda of negotiations on the JCPOA attest to
The Secretary thanked Ambassador Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) both countries, together with high- Iran’s respect for the rule of law. The Ambassador has reiterated the
level visits of Philippine government invitation from the Iranian government
Mohammadi for his outstanding work on Iran’s nuclear program, through officials to Iran, as well as initial For Ambassador Mohammadi, for Secretary Del Rosario to visit Iran.
intelligence dialogue between the two Philippines-Iran relations is heart-to- He emphasized that the visit of the
in maintaining the good bilateral an upsurge in trade and investments, countries. The Ambassador highlighted heart, as seen through the nurturing Secretary will bring positive results to
the good multilateral cooperation of family-based relationships within the future course of Philippines-Iran
relations between the Philippines close cooperation in the fight against between the Philippines and Iran in the Iranian-Filipino community, bilateral relations. n Philippine Embassy
particularly within the Iranian
and Iran. The Secretary stated that violence and extremism, and an active Philippines / November 14, 2015

there is much to be grateful for, promotion of tourism.

among which were the commutation Ambassador Mohammadi

of the death sentence of a convicted confirmed that although the

Filipino national in Iran which was Philippines and Iran bilateral relations