________________________________________ President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs Statement at the Joint Press Conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany Berlin, Germany 19 Sept 2014 Chancellor Angela Merkel, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen: Chancellor Merkel, please accept my gratitude for the hospitality you have extended to me and my delegation on my very first visit to Germany. I find this occasion all the more meaningful, as our nations commemorate two important occasions—first, the 60th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and second the 25th year since Germany graciously hosted my mother, Corazon C. Aquino during her visit to your country in 1989. Then as now, Germany and the Philippines have stood side by side in upholding our shared values and principles—our adherence to democracy, human rights, inclusive growth and development, and the rule of law. Germany is a key ally, a strategic partner, and a reliable friend of the Philippines. With this visit, we reaffirm the deep partnership between our countries. By focusing on our mutual interests and our common aspirations and concerns, we are given the opportunity to propel our already robust relationship to even greater heights. Madam Chancellor, our meeting today reaffirms that strong bond we share. Our deep relations without doubt span a broad range of issues of mutual interest, such as: labor, maritime cooperation and training, environment and natural resources management, defense and security training, manufacturing, the IT-BPM sector, and healthcare, among many others. We recognize the strong bonds that tie us politically. We appreciate and thank all the German foundations who are active in the Philippines—the Friedrich Neumann Foundation, which is a partner of the party I lead; the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Egbert Foundation, and the Hanns Seibel Foundation, which worked with the foundation put up by my mother to represent and continue on their work on microfinance, human rights formation, and cooperatives development. We also share the belief that the primary duty of government is to advance the welfare of its citizens. We also believe that the Philippines’ economic resurgence and Germany’s economic strength can only further expand the horizon of opportunities for our peoples. Today, the Philippines and Germany will sign two important documents—the Social Security Agreement between the Philippines and Germany, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, or BIBB. Our two countries will also undertake greater cooperation in trade through the exchange of drafts that will formally establish the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Manila. The Social Security Agreement will contribute to providing a context of equality of treatment in the workplace. It will also improve the processing of claims and prevent dual coverage. This will consequently redound to the benefit of both Filipino and German nationals. On the one hand, the Cooperation between TESDA and the BIBB will institutionalize regular dialogue and sharing of best practices between the Filipino and German policymakers and experts, and will provide an institutional foundation to expand practical cooperation between our respective ministries as well as with the private sector. I am told that German technical expertise were instrumental in the development of the Philippines’ “Dual Training System Act of 1994”, and we continue to harness those expertise towards our mutual gain. On the other hand, the exchange of drafts on the establishment of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a welcome sign, especially now since the Philippines is indeed more open for business. With this development, we can see enhanced trade and investments, especially among the German Mittelstand; it will also establish the cooperation arrangements with, and between, local German Chambers in Germany and the Philippines. These documents underscore our common vision to build a Germany and a Philippines where equitable prosperity and shared development are realities enjoyed by our peoples. It is this very context that informs our collective resolve to deepen relations, at a time when we are confronted by complex challenges and needs that require not only the cooperation and understanding between our two countries—but that of the entire community of nations. On this note, as regards the territorial and maritime disputes in Southeast Asia, the Chancellor and I share the conviction that these must be settled peacefully and should be based on international law. This commitment to upholding the welfare of peoples of goodwill is also reflected in our shared determination to address the worsening effects of climate change. Typhoon Haiyan showed that, now more than ever, the cooperation between developed and developing nations is an imperative. For our two nations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response are essential components of our cooperation. This morning, we took an even more promising step in discussing how our partnership can be enhanced through building climate-resilient communities. As we work to build back better, Germany continues to extend its generous assistance to my people. On behalf of my countrymen, I thank the Federal Republic of Germany once more for being a true friend to our people. Indeed, your nation’s clear expression of solidarity with my countrymen will always be remembered and appreciated. Chancellor Merkel, our meeting today was indeed historic, insightful, and significant—one that embodies our common values and shared aspirations. We had the opportunity to deepen the relations between our countries, and discuss our strategic vision for the future of the Philippines-Germany relationship—a relationship that has spanned 60 fruitful years—one which has grown into a strong, comprehensive, and pragmatic partnership that allows us to effectively address common challenges, and harness shared opportunities for the benefit of our peoples, our regions, and the larger community of nations. Thank you. Good day. [HOME] ________________________________________ President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs Statement Speech at the Policy Forum Organized with Koerber Stiftung and Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business Berlin, Germany 19 Sept 2014 On March 21, 1887, a novel entitled “Noli Me Tangere” or in English, “Touch Me Not,” was published here in Berlin. It was written by a then-27-year old Filipino doctor, artist, and visionary named Jose Rizal. Dr. Rizal spent two years in Germany. Short on funds, he rationed his biscuits for meals; to stave off loneliness, he wrote poems about the flowers of Heidelberg, translated Schiller’s William Tell into his native Tagalog, and drew ideas from Berlin’s libraries. Along with his fellow Filipinos, he engaged in discourse with the intellectuals of Europe, applying the ideas of the Enlightenment to his own context back home, and pursued discussions about their shared values and their aspirations for humanity. Noli Me Tangere was Dr. Rizal’s first novel. It offered a candid look at the ills of Filipino society under colonial rule. It shed light on the abuses of the colonizers, and on our people’s collective longing for freedom and dignity. Scholars consider it the first articulation of a Filipino national consciousness. The novel eventually earned the ire of the authorities. After some time in exile, Dr. Rizal would be arrested and martyred by firing squad on the 30th of December, 1896. Dr. Rizal’s ideas, works, and, ultimately, his death, sparked a revolution for Philippine independence. Since then, the world has recognized Rizal’s greatness; in fact, my second official function during this European trip was to lay a wreath at a monument for Dr. Jose Rizal built by the Spanish government in Madrid. Today, more than 127 years after the Noli Me Tangere emerged from a Berlin press, I stand before you as President of the first democratic and constitutional republic in Asia, one in which every generation has been challenged by Rizal’s words, “There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.” In our generation, we have rearticulated this challenge in a battle cry that resonated in our last Presidential elections wherein we said, “Where there is no corruption, there is no poverty.” From the beginning of my term, we have stayed true to our promise. We have brought the moral imperatives of justice, transparency, and accountability back into the equation of governance. We have plugged bureaucratic leakages and strengthened public institutions. A good example of our reform efforts is our overhaul of the Philippine budgeting process. Our administration has adopted what we call the zero-based budgeting, which involves reviewing all government projects, axing the ones that provided little to no benefit to our countrymen, while keeping and even strengthening the ones that had great positive effect. We pursued all those who committed wrongdoing, regardless of their wealth or influence. When evidence of plunder and electoral sabotage were found against my predecessor in the Presidency, corresponding charges were filed, and now, she is under hospital arrest, waiting to face due process of our court systems. When it was proven that the sitting Chief Justice of our Supreme Court failed to declare 98 percent of his assets in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as our Constitution requires him to do, like-minded reformists in Congress removed him from office, by following constitutionally-ordained proceedings. These instances, among others, sent a clear message: The rule of law applies to all. We cannot stress enough the importance of adhering to the rule of law. A nation’s law, after all, encapsulates that nation’s set of values and aspirations. This same idea applies to international law, which reflects the collective values and aspirations of humanity, and is meant to guarantee that relationships are established and dictated not through might, but through a commonality in values, and a recognition that we are all inhabitants of one world. We are all aware that tensions in the South China Sea have created uncertainty in our region. This uncertainty poses threats to the rule of law. My country stands firmly in the belief that the only sustainable, peaceful, and dignified resolution to any debate lies not in belligerence, deception, displays of military might, or surreptitious actions meant to shape the situation in the waters, but in reasonably laying out our arguments before an impartial arbiter. As descendants of the seafaring Austronesian peoples, Filipinos have, for millennia, viewed the South China Sea as a region vital to the livelihood, security, and cultural identity of those who live around it. It is thus an imperative for us to oppose by every peaceful, legal, and diplomatic means possible, any attempt by any country to claim these waters solely as their own. To this end, we are taking two tracks: first, we continue to promote the formulation of a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea; and second, we are pursuing arbitration to clarify the maritime entitlements for all countries concerned; this a mechanism embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We continue to invite other claimant countries to join us, so that together we may expand the avenues to arrive at a peaceful resolution to this long-standing dispute. Ladies and gentlemen, if it is true that international law embodies our consensus as co-inhabitants in a single, global community, then it stands to reason that violating it means flouting not just a single nation, but the entire community of nations. Conversely, observing international law strengthens a dynamic harmony among nations, which then could be harnessed to uplift the lives of all. I believe that the heads of government whom I have had the honor of meeting on this particular trip have reaffirmed these ideas as they manifestated their support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. The maintenance of stability creates an environment conducive to unhampered and inclusive growth. Today, my country is on the cusp of an era of even greater potential for progress. By 2015, or next year, the Philippines will be hitting a demographic sweet spot, which means that majority of our population will be of working age. Studies show that countries who hit this sweet spot grow by an average of 7.3 percent over the ten years that immediately follow. This is why we continue investing heavily in areas that will increase opportunities for all our countrymen. Our administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability has allowed us to unlock resources, which we have spent on improving the lives of our people. Perhaps the most prominent example of this is our Conditional Cash Transfer program, the recipients of which we increased from less than 800,000 households in 2010 to more than four million this year. The idea is simple: As long as their children are sent to school and vaccinated, and as long as pregnant mothers get regular health check-ups, then they will receive a regular cash grant from the government. The program ticks all the boxes. It gives those in the margins additional resources to get by, it ensures that they remain healthy, and it allows their children to receive a more complete education. In fact, this year, we have further expanded this program to include households with children aged 15 to 18. This decision came about because of a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, which revealed that high school graduates make about 40 percent more than those who only get to finish elementary years. Of course, we are matching these efforts with significant improvements in our system of education. Since entering office, we have addressed the 2010 backlog we inherited in classrooms, which amounted to 66,800 units, and we have done the same with the backlogs in textbooks and school seats. We have likewise passed a law updating our basic education cycle to be at par with global standards. To equip our people with the skills to take advantage of the opportunities that arise, we have empowered agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, which spearheads the skills-training and livelihood initiatives of government. For example, TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program alone has benefited 632,105 graduates as of June 2014. A recent study shows that 68.5 percent of the Program’s 2012 graduates found employment within six months. The rest, meanwhile, are being assisted by the agency in their search for employment. Protecting the interests of the people, of course, also involves securing them in times of disaster. We are determined to confront the new normal of climate change with foresight. Our country is hit by an average of 20 storms a year, which is why, from the beginning of our administration, we have upgraded our technological capacities to allow us to better prepare for incoming storms. We have installed several Doppler radars in strategic areas around the archipelago, enabling us to better estimate rainfall amounts; we have used LiDAR technology to map the topography of our river systems; and as part of a project named NOAH, we have put up a website through which anyone with an internet connection can access real-time weather information. With the technological wherewithal we now have, we are able to better position personnel, rescue equipment, and relief goods in the event of natural disaster, and of course, to move populations to safer areas. However, one of the hardest lessons my administration has learned is there are times when no amount of preparation is enough. In November of last year, 44 out of 81 of our provinces were ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, which, according to some, was the strongest storm to ever make landfall in recorded history. Indeed, it was a storm on a scale that we had never seen before. It swept away many of the goods we had prepositioned, much of the necessary equipment for relief operations, and even some of our first responders, among them our Secretaries of Defense and of the Interior and Local Government, who flew into areas in the typhoon’s path the day before it made landfall were put in danger. I am thankful for the solidarity of the international community, who helped us get back on the road to recovery sooner rather than later. Germany was one of those that extended significant aid to my people. In the wake of the typhoon, we received a significant amount in aid and assistance from the German public. It was, I am told, the highest recorded amount of donations given by German citizens to a foreign country. In fact, we also have to thank the German government. Truly, Filipinos will never forget your kindness and compassion. The task at hand for us now is clear: We must not allow ourselves to be mired in a vicious cycle of destruction and mere reconstruction. We have to build back, and we have to build back better. This means constructing more resilient infrastructure and communities in more strategic areas, so that we can minimize the impact of future disasters. Moving forward, we are likewise seeking to foster more vibrant and more inclusive economies in the area. We are also taking long-term measures to address climate change: As early as now, we are taking steps to embark on a low emission development strategy. I am certain that everyone here recognizes the challenge of utilizing such technologies. After all, Europe, and in particular, Germany, is one of the leaders in renewable energy, and you know how costly and complex such a strategy is. This is why, today, I am also hopeful that we can find partners in this particular sector who can find methods to pursue energy production that is clean, efficient, and affordable. Addressing our people’s vulnerabilities, investing in their strengths, and reforming the way our government works, are vital cornerstones of our development strategy. This strategy is working, and the world has taken notice. In 2013, the Philippine economy grew by 7.2 percent, making us one of the best performing economies in Asia. Average GDP growth from 2010 to 2013 stands at 6.3 percent; a significant increase from the 4.3 percent recorded from 2006 to 2009. Furthermore, since my administration took office, we have received 20 positive credit rating actions from agencies around the world, the most significant of which were granted last year, when Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch unanimously declared us investment grade. This took place when global economy was in turmoil, and the credibility of the ratings agencies was being questioned. Even if they took a very conservative approach to evaluating risk, they still deemed upgraded us. There is no doubt in my mind that our two countries are more than capable of mutually beneficial engagement. Germany is our biggest trade partner in Europe, and German investments are well represented in many major sectors. I am certain many Filipinos, and perhaps many Germans as well, are expecting even greater things from a strengthened partnership, as we build new platforms to deepen our economic and people-to-people ties. These include the so-called Triple Win Project we signed last year, which facilitates the entry of Filipino nurses into Germany. We also have the Social Security Agreement we concluded this morning. We have gone a long way in the past few decades. In 1986, my mother, Corazon C. Aquino was catapulted to the Presidency through the bloodless EDSA People Power Revolution. Just three years after that, she visited Germany in July of 1989; a few months later, the Berlin Wall fell. It was a time when our two countries, both having suffered through dictatorships, could recognize and celebrate the values that we share: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Just one generation removed from my mother’s visit, the Philippine resurgence is now in full swing. The empowerment of the people in 1986, most profoundly manifested then in our newfound freedoms, now finds new meaning in the economic empowerment being engendered in our society. We have recovered from the scourge of the dictatorship and from periods of self-serving leadership, and have fostered a positive shift in the national psyche. Optimism among the Filipino people and the international community is very high, opportunities are expanding, and our government continues to move towards progress with the interest of the Filipino people as its north star. I am extremely confident that, if we continue nurturing our shared values and deepening our engagement, we can look back generations from now and see this meeting in Berlin as yet another turning point: the moment when the world ignited new dynamic synergies, to bring about mutual success and prosperity that is felt by more and more citizens of a world where, indeed, no one will be left behind. Thank you and good afternoon. [HOME] ________________________________________ President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs Speech at the Forum Organized by the French Institute for Internatiional Relations Paris, France 18 Sept 2014 Separated though we are by great distances, France and the Philippines have a strong and enduring connection: the shared value we give to democracy and to defending it. The battle cry of your own revolution, “Liberté, egalité, et fraternité!” spurred thousands to action around the world—including a Filipino clerk named Andres Bonifacio, whom we honor as the Father of the Philippine Revolution. The links between our countries did not end with our respective revolutions; they would emerge stronger after a dark period in my country’s history. My parents were among those who fought against the Marcos dictatorship, and for that, my father, Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., gave his life. After his death, my mother, Corazon C. Aquino, and the rest of the nation collectively took on the fight for the future of the Philippines. Like their compatriots in France many years ago, millions of Filipinos took to the streets—this time, armed with only prayers and songs—in protest against their oppressor. Through the will of the people, democracy was reclaimed for the Philippines. A true champion of democracy, France was one of the first countries that recognized the newly-formed democratic government of the Philippines after the peaceful People Power Revolution. Recognizing her achievements, and more importantly, the achievements of our countrymen, your government conferred on my mother the Legion of Honor. A generation later, we are engaged in a different kind of fight: one against poverty and corruption; inequality and injustice; and the other threats that keep us from realizing in full the promise of democracy. As France proved herself a reliable friend in the days when the Filipino people most needed it, so too, do I believe that we can move forward and fight these new battles together, as partners focused on the well-being of our respective peoples. After all, the fundamental principles we share—the values of democracy, the respect for the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, and the attainment of social justice—have likewise been the principles that have allowed my administration to turn the tide in the Philippines. Perhaps you will allow me to share with you our transformation from a country mired in apathy and hopelessness, to a nation with a dynamic, emerging economy, whose people have a newfound hope and optimism. When my administration came into office, we found a government in shambles and a people devoid of hope. Businesses were loath to invest in the Philippines because of the unpredictable environment. Economic and industrial growth were sluggish—if at all, and our countrymen believed that they had no choice but to seek greener pastures abroad. The root of the problems: a corrupt and inept government. We knew that to move forward, we had to plug all the leaks and vastly minimize waste. In some agencies, the process was fairly straightforward. Secretary Rogelio Singson in the Department of Public Works and Highways implemented simple but crucial reforms. For instance: By cutting down the required documents for bidders from 20 to 5, opportunities for corruption were minimized; by removing the requirement to submit a Letter of Intent, collusion was eliminated because bidders did not know who they were competing against and thus could not rig the bidding; ultimately, by demanding professionalism at all levels and at all times, we were able to get what we refer to as the 5 R’s—the right projects, implemented by the right people, for the right quality and the right price, implemented right on time, if not earlier. On a larger scale, we found it necessary to re-examine our budget. We could not allow the continuous funding of projects which had questionable or zero results. As such, we employed zero-based budgeting so that each and every peso would have an equivalent and tangible benefit on the lives of our countrymen. Together with ensuring that government would no longer be a party to wasting our people’s hard-earned money, we introduced landmark reform to agencies once known as hotbeds of corruption. For instance, our Bureau of Customs was given a fresh start through the appointment of a new Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. Such reforms made its way to the rank and file of the agency: we kept closer watch especially for those on the frontlines, previously security guards used to act as cashiers, and warehousemen became examiners—a sure recipe for thievery. As we maximized the state’s resources by improving our systems and empowering the bureaucracy, we also put an end to the era of impunity, by making sure that those who committed wrongdoing in office will be held to account, regardless of how lofty their positions were. In fact, my predecessor in the Presidency, who was accused of crimes against the nation, is under hospital arrest right now as she faces two unbailable charges. Our commitment to good governance is now bearing fruit. Money that once went to the corrupt now goes to massive investments into the Filipino people—as exemplified by our budget for Social Welfare, Health, and Education, amongst others, increasing in multiples. The scope of our national health insurance program, or PhilHealth, was expanded, especially for the poorest of the poor. This means that they have access not only to treatment for common ailments, but for catastrophic ones as well—diseases like leukemia and breast cancer, for instance. The number of households enrolled in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, our flagship poverty reduction initiative, has grown by leaps and bounds: from covering less than 800,000 households when we assumed office in 2010, to more than 4 million households today. More recently, we expanded this to include households with children not only in the elementary ages but up to those studying high school. We did this because a study revealed that high school graduates earn up to 40% more than those who finished just the elementary level. For each of these four million households, the primary conditions asked of them was simple: keep your children in school. In exchange, they will receive support in the form of regular cash grants. Filipino schoolchildren now have access to stronger foundations for learning, thanks to the K to 12 program, which puts our educational system at par with international standards. Enriching the quality of our basic education system includes meeting logistical needs: our administration has effectively addressed the inherited backlog in school seats, classrooms, and textbooks left to us by our predecessors. All this, of course, is in preparation for the education they will receive from universities, colleges, and technical and vocational institutions, which are all empowering our countrymen to be increasingly employable, and as industry and government cooperate to ensure that the courses students take will match the actual skills needed in the job market. We are seeing our reforms bearing fruit. Look at the numbers: From April 2013 to April 2014 a study has shown that 1.65 million more Filipinos hold jobs. From 2012 to 2013, 2.5 million people have moved above the poverty line. Our first task was to help the poorest of the poor overcome poverty. Now, we are also capacitated to help those within the “near poor,” meaning those who have barely moved out of the poverty line. By addressing their vulnerabilities, they, and we hope, need not fear that a catastrophic event such as a major illness or a natural calamity will pull below the poverty line again. All these investments were made to ensure that the Filipino people, who are our greatest competitive advantage, are enabled to make the most of opportunities borne of renewed confidence in our country. Indeed, good governance has redounded to a more capable and more active citizenry full of hope and optimism, and the combination of an increasingly-competitive population and a sustainable, prudently-run economy, has gained global notice. This was affirmed by the three major credit rating agencies in the world—Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard and Poor’s—which gave the Philippines investment grade in 2013, the first time ever in our country’s history. Your own French Export Credit Agency also upgraded our country’s risk rating; and most recently, Korea’s National Information and Credit Evaluation Ratings, Inc. raised us to investment grade. All this happened at a time when agencies have been very conservative with their evaluations, due to an uncertain global economic climate. In fact, even in a period when various countries were being downgraded, the Philippines emerged as the world’s most upgraded sovereign. On top of this, since we took office, we have consistently climbed global rankings of competitiveness. Most prominently perhaps, from 2010 to 2014, we went from 85th in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, to 52nd, making us the most improved country in that span. It is clear: good governance is good economics. Again, let me emphasize that this is not an empty pronouncement. Our Business Process Management Sector continues to mark impressive growth; manufacturing has rebounded impressively; and tourists all over the world are flocking to our beaches and cities, seeing for themselves how truly it is more fun in the Philippines. Given the unprecedented confidence enjoyed by our country, we expect 2015 to be a banner year. After all, the factors that can allow us to build on our momentum are in place. We will be entering a demographic sweet spot by 2015, which will last for around 35 years. We have been investing in our greatest resource—our people, resulting in an expanding, productive labor force now even more prepared to seize all the opportunities. We have a strategic location, and vast potential to be a crucial hub of trade, investments, and services. Our economic turnaround is especially significant, in light of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formally integrating as an economic community in 2015. This is a milestone in the evolution of ASEAN as we pursue the common prosperity of our peoples and foster the peace and stability fundamental to continued development. Naturally, this opens doors of opportunity to our European friends as well. As a leader in many cutting-edge industries, such as renewable energy, public transport, and aerospace, France, for instance, together with EU member states, will find far greater potential for enhanced engagement with our country and our region. This is a timely development; given the recovery of markets in the Western Hemisphere, increased cooperation can only redound to a healthier global economy, and the promise of further growth and development for all. As individual nations in a diverse world, we have everything to gain when our relations are characterized by harmony and a healthy respect—not only for each other, but more importantly, for the rule of law. This is in line with what my father once said, and if I may paraphrase his thoughts: if you tolerate the abuse of the rights of one, it sets the stage for the abuse of your own rights. As responsible members of the international community, it is our duty to uphold the rule of law in every instance, and to reject might and power when they seek to subvert the rule of law. The Philippines has consistently expressed its concern on rising tensions in our part of the world, due to maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. As has been reported by international news agencies the world over, there is an emerging pattern of aggression bent on establishing new realities at sea and in the air. These violations of international law pose a danger not only to claimant countries, but also to the entire international community, since freedom of navigation and unimpeded lawful commerce are threatened. This is why we are advocating a peaceful resolution of the dispute. To do this, we are taking two tracks: first, through promoting the formulation of a binding code of conduct, and second, through arbitration—a mechanism which is embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We continue to invite other claimant countries to join us, to accelerate the resolution of this very long standing dispute, which has lately caused much tension in our region. The international community as a whole stands to gain when the rule of law is upheld—for only through such legal mechanisms can a truly just and stable world order be ensured. I believe that I share this idea with the European Union authorities and heads of government I have had the honor of meeting, who have manifested their support for the peaceful resolution of disputes based on the rule of law. Indeed, history has shown us how events halfway around the world can have a profound effect on our shores; no one can deny that our destinies are intertwined. It is therefore in all our best interests to take an active role in forging partnerships that ensure that our peoples are not left behind on the march to progress, and in so doing, perhaps create opportunities for other peoples as well. France has displayed a keen understanding of this belief, most recently and prominently in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan—recognized by some to be the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall and devastate a country. It left a large part of our country in shambles; lives were lost, families separated or displaced. The need for both immediate and long-term recovery was enormous. And in the face of that enormous need, the entire world, France included, gave an overwhelming response. All levels of society—from the French government, down to companies and nongovernment organizations, to ordinary French citizens—demonstrated their generosity to their Filipino friends, and we are truly grateful for this solidarity. Ladies and gentlemen, climate risk and threats to the rule of law are only some of the challenges that today’s world sets before us. Whether in the experience of our forebears in the French and the Philippine revolutions—whether in our People Power Revolution, or the relief and recovery efforts immediately after Typhoon Haiyan, it has always been clear to me that our efforts are stronger, and that the opportunities we create are vaster, deeper, and have a greater impact when we find ways to increase cooperation. Whether in the political or economic sphere, we continue to find new avenues of positive engagement that may help us confront the challenges of the future. This is true in our work to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development; to enhance peace, security, and the rule of law in inter-state relations; and to combat climate change. As a global community, we have a choice: Either we combine our strengths and tackle our shared challenges together, or fall individually to the problems that threaten all of us. Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world need to work together to ensure a stable environment and a brighter future. I believe that a reinvigorated Philippines-France relationship can contribute greatly to achieving this endeavor. As partners who have worked together, though perhaps indirectly, for centuries, to preserve democracy and its fruits, the Philippines and France can continue to stand together, working towards the benefit of our citizens and of the entire world, through a renewed commitment to the values our nations hold dear: liberty, equality, and fraternity. Thank you for your attention. Good evening. [HOME]
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 02:23:41 +0000
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