By Arjay L. Balinbin
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to fly to India on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to attend the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit (AICS) on Jan. 25 and India’s Republic Day celebration on Jan. 26.
According to Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, head of the Office of the ASEAN Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit is the culminating activity for the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.
“The President and other ASEAN Member States have also been invited to India’s Republic Day celebration, which takes place the following day on 26th January,” Ms. De La Vega told reporters during the pre-departure briefing on Friday, Jan. 19.
A Delhi Declaration is also expected to be signed during the Summit. “We are looking on an outcome document and it’s called the Delhi Declaration, which will be released in conjunction with the Summit,” Ms. De La Vega said.
She added that the content of the declaration is the “roadmap for the cooperation between ASEAN and India.”
“So you expect that in the Delhi Declaration, (there are) areas like on how to substantiate political, economic and cultural cooperation.”
It will be recalled as well that during the ASEAN summit held in the Philippines last year, Mr. Duterte mentioned that he was interested in purchasing cheaper medicines from India.
Ms. De La Vega confirmed that “the interest (in) the pharmaceutical industry is in the agenda.”
“When I mentioned about the cheaper medicine, I was also talking about it in the context of ASEAN in terms of cooperation,” Ms. De La Vega further said.
She clarified as well that the bilateral meeting between India and the Philippines regarding the medicines has yet to be confirmed.
Ms. De La Vega also said that currently there are more than 3,000 Filipinos living in India.
For her part, Director Rhenita B. Rodriguez of the Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs, DFA, told reporters that the department is still “awaiting confirmation at this stage (regarding) the (possible) engagement with the Filipino community in New Delhi.”
KUWAIT
Earlier on Thursday, Mr. Duterte said he was considering a “total ban” on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait.
Mr. Duterte said he haD discussed this matter with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano. “My advise is, we talk to them, state the truth and just tell them that it’s not acceptable anymore. Either we impose a total ban or we can have the….”
“I do not want a quarrel with Kuwait. I respect their leaders, but they have to do something about this. Kasi karamihan ng Pilipina mag-suicide, kaya ako mainit sa droga.” (Because many Filipino women have committed suicide. That’s why I’m mad about drugs.) Mr. Duterte also said, “We have lost about four Filipino women in the last few months. It’s always in Kuwait.”
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Malacañang Palace on Friday, Jan. 19, released the names of new seven nominated ambassadors.
Mr. Duterte signed the appointment papers of the following individuals last Tuesday, Jan. 16:
• Mohammad Omar A. Fajardo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.
• Linglingay F. Lacanlale, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Argentine Republic, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Paraguay, and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.
• Frank R. Cimafranca, CM II, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Hellenic Republic, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Cyprus.
• Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, CM II, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Arab Emirates.
• Cesar Lee Hiong Wee, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Indonesia, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.
• Grace R. Princesa, CM I, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
• Marichu B. Mauro, CM II, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federative Republic of Brazil with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Colombia, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
It is stated in their appointment papers that they may qualify and enter upon the performance of the duties of their respective offices upon consent by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
