1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,520 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the members and the resource persons present today. 2 00:00:08,060 --> 00:00:09,860 Committee Secretary: Good afternoon, Your Honor. 3 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:13,860 Committee Secretary: May we acknowledge the presence of the following members, 4 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,360 Committee Secretary: Vice Chair Sancho Ando Oaminal 5 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:22,820 Committee Secretary: and Vice Chair Niko Raul Daza, 6 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:28,820 Committee Secretary: Deputy Minority Leader Percival Perci Cendaña, 7 00:00:28,820 --> 00:00:33,820 Committee Secretary: Representative Leody Odie Tarriela, 8 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:39,160 Committee Secretary: Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula, 9 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:42,920 Committee Secretary: Representative Renee Louise Co, 10 00:00:44,140 --> 00:00:45,820 Committee Secretary: Representative Brian Poe. 11 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:53,100 Committee Secretary: And for the resource persons from the Department of Foreign Affairs, 12 00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:56,120 Committee Secretary: from the Office of the Secretary, 13 00:00:57,300 --> 00:00:58,800 Committee Secretary: Your Honorable Secretary, 14 00:00:58,820 --> 00:01:00,540 Committee Secretary: Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro, 15 00:01:02,540 --> 00:01:07,700 Committee Secretary: Chief Coordinator Maria Antonina M. Mendoza Oblena, 16 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:14,100 Committee Secretary: from the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination, OPPC, 17 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:17,840 Committee Secretary: ASEC Robespierre L. Bolivar, 18 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,180 Committee Secretary: from the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs, OTLA, 19 00:01:23,860 --> 00:01:26,420 Committee Secretary: Deputy Assistant Secretary and Executive Director, 20 00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:28,420 Committee Secretary: Anthony Achilles L. Mandap, 21 00:01:28,820 --> 00:01:34,760 Committee Secretary: Present. 22 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:36,880 Committee Secretary: Yes, sir, thank you. 23 00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:39,180 Committee Secretary: From the Internal Audit Service, 24 00:01:39,180 --> 00:01:41,800 Committee Secretary: Assistant Secretary Robert Operer Jr. 25 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,140 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 26 00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:46,200 Committee Secretary: From the Office of Public Diplomacy, 27 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:50,280 Committee Secretary: Acting AAC and Spokesperson Analing D. Ratonel, 28 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:56,240 Committee Secretary: from the Office of USeC for Administration, 29 00:01:56,720 --> 00:02:01,200 Committee Secretary: Under-secretary Maria Teresa B. Dizon de Vega, 30 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:02,500 Committee Secretary: Present. 31 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:03,160 Committee Secretary: Ma'am, sorry. 32 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:10,940 Committee Secretary: From the Human Resources Management Office, Assistant Secretary Marford Angeles. 33 00:02:11,820 --> 00:02:12,300 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 34 00:02:13,260 --> 00:02:19,540 Committee Secretary: From the Office of Asset Management and Support Services, Assistant Secretary Charmaine Cernachua. 35 00:02:21,020 --> 00:02:21,440 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 36 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:27,220 Committee Secretary: From the Office of Protocol, Assistant Secretary Ariel Peñaranda. 37 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:28,840 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 38 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:34,040 Committee Secretary: From the Office of Financial Management Services, Assistant Secretary Emilio Fernandez. 39 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:35,140 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 40 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:42,360 Committee Secretary: From the Office of Consular Affairs, OCA, Assistant Secretary Anne Hlando-On-Lui. 41 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:43,600 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 42 00:02:44,700 --> 00:02:49,040 Committee Secretary: Office of USEC for Policy, Undersecretary Leo Jerela Lim. 43 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:50,440 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 44 00:02:51,820 --> 00:02:56,740 Committee Secretary: Office of Middle East and African Affairs, Assistant Secretary Herminia Aguilar-Usudan. 45 00:02:57,380 --> 00:02:57,860 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 46 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:04,320 Committee Secretary: United Nations and International Organizations, Assistant Secretary Laila Lora-Santos. 47 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:07,020 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 48 00:03:08,060 --> 00:03:12,780 Committee Secretary: Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, Assistant Secretary Marcial Louie Alperes. 49 00:03:13,660 --> 00:03:14,300 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 50 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,080 Committee Secretary: Office of American Affairs, Assistant Secretary Renita Rodriguez. 51 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:20,560 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 52 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:25,700 Committee Secretary: Office of European Affairs, Assistant Secretary Dina Joy Amato. 53 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:26,600 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 54 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,320 Committee Secretary: Office of ASEAN Affairs, Assistant Secretary Anna Maria Hernando. 55 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:31,340 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 56 00:03:31,340 --> 00:03:41,340 Committee Secretary: Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson for Maritime Affairs, Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. 57 00:03:42,660 --> 00:03:43,080 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 58 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:51,340 Committee Secretary: Office of USEC for Economic and Cultural Diplomacy, Undersecretary Maria Adrelita Austria. 59 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:52,680 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 60 00:03:53,980 --> 00:03:59,660 Committee Secretary: Office of Economic and Cultural Diplomacy, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Executive Director Arlene Magno. 61 00:04:00,340 --> 00:04:01,160 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 62 00:04:02,060 --> 00:04:08,840 Committee Secretary: Office of the USEC, Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, Ecedin H. Tagua. 63 00:04:09,740 --> 00:04:10,360 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 64 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,640 Committee Secretary: Office of Migration Affairs, Assistant Secretary Angelica Escalona. 65 00:04:15,180 --> 00:04:15,800 Committee Secretary: Thank you, ma'am. 66 00:04:16,540 --> 00:04:20,860 Committee Secretary: Foreign Service Institute, Director General Neil Frank-Perrer. 67 00:04:21,460 --> 00:04:21,940 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 68 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:28,000 Committee Secretary: Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, Undersecretary Antonio Jaulana. 69 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:29,760 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 70 00:04:31,100 --> 00:04:35,680 Committee Secretary: UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, SecGen Ivan Anthony Henares. 71 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:37,000 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 72 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,560 Committee Secretary: Beads and Awards Committee, Chairperson Paulo Saret. 73 00:04:42,180 --> 00:04:42,620 Committee Secretary: Thank you, sir. 74 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:49,400 Committee Secretary: And lastly, Office of Intelligence and Security Services, Assistant Secretary Elmer G. Cato. 75 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:53,060 Committee Secretary: And there are more additional resource persons. 76 00:04:53,780 --> 00:04:58,480 Committee Secretary: Members of the House, Representative Milagros Aquino Magsaysay. 77 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,300 Rep. Henry "Indy" F. Oaminal Jr.: Thank you, ma'am. 78 00:05:00,340 --> 00:05:01,340 Committee Secretary: That's all, Chair. 79 00:05:01,340 --> 00:05:02,340 Committee Secretary: Thank you. 80 00:05:02,340 --> 00:05:03,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 81 00:05:03,340 --> 00:05:14,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Before we proceed with the presentation, I would like to recognize my co-sponsor, Congressman 82 00:05:14,340 --> 00:05:21,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Nico Raul Daza, for his brief manifestation of support. 83 00:05:21,340 --> 00:05:22,340 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Thank you, Mr. Chair. 84 00:05:22,340 --> 00:05:25,420 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, good afternoon. 85 00:05:25,420 --> 00:05:30,100 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Allow this representation to first acknowledge the presence of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 86 00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:35,660 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the Honorable Maria Teresa Lazaro, a career diplomat of over four decades, whose steady 87 00:05:35,660 --> 00:05:41,180 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: hand has served this Republic from the halls of ASEAN to the capitals of Europe, and now 88 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:45,440 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: at the helm of our entire Foreign Service. 89 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:50,480 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: With her are the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of the Department, the leadership 90 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:55,360 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: of the Foreign Service Institute, the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, and 91 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:59,860 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, and the men and women of our Foreign Service, 92 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:04,740 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: many of whom serve quietly, far from home, so that no Filipino abroad ever has to stand 93 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:05,800 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: alone. 94 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,660 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: We welcome you all to the House of the People. 95 00:06:08,660 --> 00:06:13,580 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Mr. Chair, it is the distinct honor of this representation to co-sponsor the proposed 96 00:06:13,580 --> 00:06:18,620 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: fiscal year 2027 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs and its attached agencies 97 00:06:18,620 --> 00:06:23,020 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: in the amount of 35 billion pesos. 98 00:06:23,020 --> 00:06:28,080 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Diplomacy is our first line of defense, long before any show of force is ever contemplated. 99 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:29,260 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: It is the diplomat who stands for the flag. 100 00:06:30,100 --> 00:06:35,320 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: At the negotiating table, in the consular window, at the side of a distressed kababayan 101 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:38,100 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: seeking help in foreign soil. 102 00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:43,460 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: When we fund the DFA, we fund the peaceful assertion of who we are as a nation, the protection 103 00:06:43,460 --> 00:06:47,920 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: of our national interests, the promotion of the welfare and dignity of every Filipino 104 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:53,740 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: overseas, the pursuit of economic opportunity through our partnerships abroad, and the projection 105 00:06:53,740 --> 00:06:57,280 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: of the best that the Filipino has to offer to the world. 106 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:59,260 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: These are the pillars of our nation's foreign policy. 107 00:07:00,840 --> 00:07:02,940 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: This budget is their foundation. 108 00:07:02,940 --> 00:07:06,680 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: On that score, the department has earned this chamber's confidence. 109 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:11,760 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: The 2025 annual performance review shows every indicator met or exceeded. 110 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:15,380 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: On the consular side, the part our constituents feel. 111 00:07:15,380 --> 00:07:20,180 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Ninety-nine percent of cases involving overseas Filipinos were acted upon with the prescribed 112 00:07:20,180 --> 00:07:21,940 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: period. 113 00:07:21,940 --> 00:07:26,840 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: All other consular documents were issued on time, and another 99 percent of passports 114 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:28,500 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: were released within the prescribed period. 115 00:07:28,500 --> 00:07:30,400 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: These are not abstractions. 116 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,800 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: behind each percentage point is a filipino whose government answered when it mattered 117 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:41,280 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: mr chair kindly indulged this representation a brief personal note under the leadership of 118 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:46,000 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: secretary lazaro and through the department's openness to work with this representation 119 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,880 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the establishment of the 43rd consular office in catarman northern samar 120 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:55,500 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: was granted and funded. Bilang Catarmananon, nagpapasalamat ako. 121 00:07:55,680 --> 00:08:07,360 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Ilalapit na po natin ang mga serbisyo ng DFA para sa lahat ng Nortehanon. Dakong salamat, Madam Secretary. This is a department that listens. This representation is confident that the department 122 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:11,840 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: will continue to bring its services closer to every filipino whether at home or abroad 123 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,400 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: mr chair the mandate of the department is to promote and protect philippine interests in 124 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:21,440 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the global community at a time of shifting geopolitics with our sovereignty tested in 125 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:26,240 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the west philippine sea and with millions of filipinos living and working abroad that 126 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,840 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: mandate is not a slogan on a wall it is a promise that wherever it 127 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:37,300 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: may be in the world, their government stands with them. Saan man sila sa mundo, hindi sila nag-iisa. 128 00:08:37,300 --> 00:08:42,160 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: for these reasons these representations this representation respectfully asks this august 129 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:47,920 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: chamber to support the proposed 2027 budget of the department of foreign affairs and its attached 130 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:53,280 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: agencies not merely as an appropriation but as an investment in our sovereignty in our standing 131 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:58,880 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: among nature among nations and in every filipino who carries our flag beyond our shore thank you mr 132 00:08:58,880 --> 00:08:59,200 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: chair 133 00:09:02,660 --> 00:09:12,660 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you congressman nico and to the department of foreign affairs family i also have 134 00:09:14,340 --> 00:09:20,740 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: a letter a manifestation of support from the very good representative from 135 00:09:20,740 --> 00:09:26,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: second district of Pangasinan, the Honorable Mark Cojuangco, and I would like to read a 136 00:09:27,780 --> 00:09:32,180 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: part of this letter addressed to the honorable maria teresa p lazaro 137 00:09:32,660 --> 00:09:38,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: secretary department of foreign affairs dear secretary lazaro i have the honor to 138 00:09:38,260 --> 00:09:43,620 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: convey my highest compliments and extend my profound appreciation to the department of 139 00:09:43,620 --> 00:09:50,100 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: foreign affairs for the invaluable assistance rendered to my office and the house delegation 140 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:55,060 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: during our recent official nuclear energy missions in the united states and canada 141 00:09:56,980 --> 00:10:02,660 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: under your distinguished stewardship the foreign service continues to uphold the highest standing 142 00:10:02,660 --> 00:10:09,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: standards of public administration and international representation the support provided to our 143 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:15,140 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: delegation ensured not only the efficient execution of our official schedule but also the 144 00:10:15,140 --> 00:10:22,020 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: total realization of our legislative objectives please accept honorable secretary the assurances 145 00:10:22,020 --> 00:10:32,180 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of my highest consideration and esteem. Sincerely, Mark Cojuangco. So, once again, good afternoon to 146 00:10:33,140 --> 00:10:40,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: uh secretary maria teresa lazaro to our distinguished undersecretaries assistant 147 00:10:40,820 --> 00:10:50,900 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: secretaries members of the department of foreign affairs family and our dear colleagues in congress 148 00:10:51,700 --> 00:11:00,740 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: at this point we are now ready to hear your present presentation so secretary you may now proceed 149 00:11:01,460 --> 00:11:02,060 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you 150 00:11:02,060 --> 00:11:02,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: thank you very much 151 00:11:02,980 --> 00:11:08,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: thank you very much mr chair thank you very much uh your honor also for the um for the endorsement 152 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:14,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that has been given. The same goes also for Congressman Cojuangco for, um, the letter that you 153 00:11:14,740 --> 00:11:21,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: have um mr chair that you have uh read and um just for my opening remarks again um good afternoon 154 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:26,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: also to the honorable members of the committee in appropriations on behalf of the department 155 00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:32,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of foreign affairs allow me to thank the committee for this opportunity to present and 156 00:11:32,660 --> 00:11:39,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: discuss the department's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 today's briefing is an opportunity 157 00:11:39,940 --> 00:11:47,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to provide you with an overview of dfa and his attached agencies key accomplishments priorities 158 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:53,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and proposed fiscal year 2027 budget the work of the department continues to be anchored on 159 00:11:53,780 --> 00:12:01,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the three pillars of our philippine foreign policy one preservation enhancement of national security to 160 00:12:01,060 --> 00:12:07,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: promotion and attainment of economic security and three protection of the rights and promotion of 161 00:12:07,140 --> 00:12:14,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the welfare and interests of filipinos overseas these pillars guide our diplomatic engagements 162 00:12:14,820 --> 00:12:21,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: our work in advancing the country's economic interests and our delivery of consular services 163 00:12:21,140 --> 00:12:28,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and assistance to national services to overseas filipinos around the world for fiscal year 27 164 00:12:28,020 --> 00:12:35,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the department is seeking a total budget of approximately 35 billion 173 165 00:12:36,260 --> 00:12:42,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: million which will enable which will enable us to sustain our core operations and respond to 166 00:12:42,580 --> 00:12:49,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the philippines growing requirements in national security economic diplomacy consular services 167 00:12:49,540 --> 00:12:53,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: assistance to nationals and organization development we hope that today's briefing 168 00:12:53,860 --> 00:12:57,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: will provide the committee with a clear picture for the department's work and the 169 00:12:58,020 --> 00:13:02,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: resources required to carry our mandate effectively the key officials of the department 170 00:13:02,900 --> 00:13:08,340 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and our attached agencies are all present to respond to the questions of the committee 171 00:13:08,340 --> 00:13:12,340 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we are grateful for the continued support of the house of representatives 172 00:13:12,340 --> 00:13:16,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for the department its programs and we look forward to a constructive discussion on our 173 00:13:16,820 --> 00:13:22,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: proposed budget thank you very much my colleagues will make a brief presentation for just for the 174 00:13:22,900 --> 00:13:27,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: information of the committee members thank you 175 00:13:27,140 --> 00:13:31,680 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: good afternoon honorable members of 176 00:13:31,680 --> 00:13:37,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the house uh my name is Robespierre Bolivar i'm the assistant secretary for policy planning 177 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:41,760 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and uh i have been asked by the secretary to present the budgetary thrusts of the department 178 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:47,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of foreign affairs for fiscal year 2027 i believe we have some slides uh to show you 179 00:13:55,080 --> 00:14:05,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: next slide please as the secretary mentioned in her opening remarks 180 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:09,880 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: uh department of foreign affairs pursues the three pillars of foreign policy the enhancement 181 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:14,680 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of our national security the promotion of our economic security and the protection of the rights 182 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:20,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: welfare of our nationals through assistance to nationals programs and the delivery of world-class 183 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:27,560 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: consular services undergirding the three pillars are our efforts to ensure effective public and 184 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:31,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: cultural diplomacy to create an environment which is friendly to the pursuit of philippine interests 185 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:36,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: overseas and organizational development or the strengthening of the dfa as an institution 186 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:46,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: next slide please for fiscal year 2026 our key milestone is the philippine chairship of asean 187 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:52,920 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: under the theme navigating our future together over the course of the year we hope and expect to 188 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:59,800 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: host over 641 meetings both at leaders level ministerial senior officials and technical working 189 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:05,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: levels. We have 26 heads of state level meetings. Our 190 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: chairship also coincides with the following milestones. The 191 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: first year of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 192 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:14,940 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: 2045, commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of 193 00:15:14,940 --> 00:15:18,540 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. And our ASEAN 194 00:15:18,540 --> 00:15:20,820 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: leaders also issued their statement in response to the 195 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:24,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Middle East crisis during their summit in earlier this year in 196 00:15:24,260 --> 00:15:28,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Cebu, and also issued a declaration on maritime 197 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: cooperation, which is, as the honourable members would know, 198 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:34,660 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: is very close to the heart of the Philippines. Next slide, 199 00:15:34,660 --> 00:15:37,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: please. In terms of ASEAN maritime cooperation, this 200 00:15:37,900 --> 00:15:45,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: leaders declaration issued in Cebu in May 2026, discussed 201 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:47,960 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: regional cooperation maritime issues anchored on the UN 202 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:51,400 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Convention on the Law of the Sea and most importantly, the 203 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:55,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: leaders endorsed the proposal to create an ASEAN Maritime Centre 204 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,240 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: to be hosted by the Philippines. Next slide, please. 205 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:03,220 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: For the entire ASEAN chairship up to the end of the year, we also 206 00:16:03,220 --> 00:16:06,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: continue to support the House of Representatives in matters 207 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: relating to the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly and by 208 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:14,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: providing inputs, guidance and substance and logistics support 209 00:16:14,780 --> 00:16:19,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: for the House of Representatives. Continuing on to 210 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:23,740 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea, this year, in 211 00:16:23,740 --> 00:16:28,080 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: July, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 212 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:33,040 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Arbitral Award, and we continue to look at the award as the legal 213 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,980 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: foundation for the protection of our sovereign rights, sovereignty 214 00:16:35,980 --> 00:16:42,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea. In 2026, so far, 215 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:47,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the department has undertaken 33 diplomatic protests to defend 216 00:16:47,220 --> 00:16:51,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the sovereign rights and jurisdictions. And on 12 July 217 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:55,940 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: 2026, at the anniversary of the Arbitral Award, the Philippines 218 00:16:55,940 --> 00:16:58,080 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and its partner countries issued a joint statement, 219 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:04,240 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: to affirm that the 2016 award is legally binding and final, 220 00:17:05,020 --> 00:17:07,920 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: rejecting China's claims of historic rights in the South China 221 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Sea, and calls on all parties to abide by the award and to settle 222 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: disputes peacefully under the UN Convention on the Law of the 223 00:17:14,260 --> 00:17:18,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Sea. Beyond this joint statement, we have also received support, 224 00:17:18,540 --> 00:17:22,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: written support from the European Union, Germany, Japan, the Republic 225 00:17:22,500 --> 00:17:27,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of Korea, each of which issued their own statements in support of the award. 226 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:33,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Beyond the award, the Philippines also delivered the official presentation of our partial 227 00:17:33,020 --> 00:17:37,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: submission concerning the country's entitlements to an extended continental shelf in the West 228 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:42,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Philippine Sea, covering the West Palawan region, before the UN Convention on the limits 229 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of the continental shelf at UN headquarters in New York. 230 00:17:45,540 --> 00:17:52,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. The Philippines also, sorry, the DFA also led in preparations for the 231 00:17:52,260 --> 00:17:57,820 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: following bilateral engagements, led by the President, several outbound visits to the United 232 00:17:57,820 --> 00:18:02,380 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Arab Emirates, the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia, and Singapore, 233 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:07,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and to welcome incoming leaders from Vietnam, Bhutan, Paraguay, the 234 00:18:07,120 --> 00:18:13,780 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Republic of Korea, Germany, and the 10 ASEAN member states at the 40th ASEAN 235 00:18:13,780 --> 00:18:19,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Summit in Cebu earlier this year. At the ministerial level, the Secretary 236 00:18:19,650 --> 00:18:24,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: also welcomed 55 foreign ministers last month at the ASEAN ministerial 237 00:18:24,370 --> 00:18:29,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: meeting, and met with 38 of her counterparts during the one week 238 00:18:29,610 --> 00:18:33,570 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of the ASEAN ministerial meeting. These engagements served to build and strengthen 239 00:18:33,570 --> 00:18:37,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: alliances and partnerships with countries, and promote the Philippine economic interests, 240 00:18:37,470 --> 00:18:40,830 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: particularly in trade and investment, and to strengthen people-to-people ties. 241 00:18:40,830 --> 00:18:46,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. At the United Nations, in March 2026, the President conducted a working 242 00:18:46,710 --> 00:18:50,790 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: visit to New York, where he addressed a special session of the UN General Assembly on the rule 243 00:18:50,790 --> 00:18:55,410 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of law, multilateralism, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The President also 244 00:18:55,410 --> 00:18:59,550 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: delivered the Philippine National Statement at the 70th session of the Commission on the 245 00:18:59,550 --> 00:19:05,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Status of Women, and met with the UN Secretary General. At the sidelines of the 80th UNGA, 246 00:19:05,070 --> 00:19:11,250 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the Philippines, the DFA, continued high-level side events on financing and partnership for 247 00:19:11,250 --> 00:19:15,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: loss and damage, with the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, advancing climate justice and 248 00:19:15,930 --> 00:19:20,850 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: climate finance for a country as explosive to climate risk as the Philippines. The Secretary 249 00:19:20,850 --> 00:19:24,090 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of Foreign Affairs also convened a foreign ministerial meeting on maritime security, 250 00:19:24,090 --> 00:19:29,530 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: with 40 countries participating, 28 countries delivering interventions highlighting the 251 00:19:29,550 --> 00:19:34,050 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: role of the multilateral system and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in ensuring 252 00:19:34,050 --> 00:19:40,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: maritime peace and security. Next slide, please. On economic cooperation, the Philippines and the 253 00:19:40,710 --> 00:19:46,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: DFA continues to support several of our economic thrusts on education, creative industries, 254 00:19:46,890 --> 00:19:51,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and technical cooperation, including the mutual recognition agreements to facilitate recognition 255 00:19:51,930 --> 00:19:58,170 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: abroad of Philippine educational credentials. We also support the Philippine Creative Industries 256 00:19:59,550 --> 00:20:07,530 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Development Plan 2026 to 2034, promote Filipino creative talent and content and design abroad. And for technical 257 00:20:07,530 --> 00:20:11,610 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: cooperation, we are also spearheading the Philippines' efforts to strengthen South-South 258 00:20:11,610 --> 00:20:17,550 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: cooperation, highlighting the Philippines' role as a development cooperation partner. Next slide, please. 259 00:20:18,750 --> 00:20:24,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: In terms of protecting overseas Filipinos, we have 10.5 million Filipinos overseas at this time, 260 00:20:24,930 --> 00:20:29,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: 2.7 million of whom are overseas Filipino workers, 261 00:20:29,550 --> 00:20:34,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: with a direct purview of the Department of Migrant Workers. Everyone else who is now classified as 262 00:20:34,470 --> 00:20:40,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: overseas Filipino workers, including tourists, students, migrants, spouses of foreign nationals, 263 00:20:40,470 --> 00:20:44,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: fall within the purview of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and we continue to assist them 264 00:20:44,670 --> 00:20:51,810 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in this regard. Also, in jurisdictions and countries where there are no resident migrant workers offices, 265 00:20:51,810 --> 00:20:56,250 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: it is the DFA which still leads in protecting and promoting the rights of our kababayans. 266 00:20:56,910 --> 00:20:59,490 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: So on the slide, we can see two 267 00:20:59,550 --> 00:21:06,450 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: almost 3,000 ATN fund beneficiaries, 16 Legal Assistance Fund beneficiaries as of 31 July. 268 00:21:06,990 --> 00:21:12,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: We also lead in repatriating human trafficking victims from mainland Southeast Asia, 269 00:21:12,930 --> 00:21:20,850 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: more than 1,000 of them, and almost 2,000 repatriated and assisted Filipinos during 270 00:21:20,850 --> 00:21:28,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the Middle East crisis. So far, we have 67 Foreign Service posts where we do not have a resident migrant workers 271 00:21:29,550 --> 00:21:36,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: office. Next slide please. We also serve to bring consular services closer to the 272 00:21:36,650 --> 00:21:42,550 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Filipino people. During the year we processed over 1.5 million passports, 273 00:21:42,550 --> 00:21:51,830 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: issued over 67,000 visas and e-visas, issued 413,000 apostille certificates 274 00:21:51,830 --> 00:21:56,790 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and e-apostille certificates, and processed over 36,000 civil registry 275 00:21:56,790 --> 00:22:03,630 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: reports. We have 42 consular offices nationwide, and we undertook 35 passport 276 00:22:03,630 --> 00:22:09,570 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: on Wheels activities as of 31 August 2026. Next slide please. Part of bringing 277 00:22:09,570 --> 00:22:12,850 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: world-class services closer to the Filipino people is the digital 278 00:22:12,850 --> 00:22:21,150 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: transformation of our consular services. So far as of 16 March 2026, we have fully 279 00:22:21,150 --> 00:22:25,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: online digital apostille for PSA civil registry e-certificates, 280 00:22:26,770 --> 00:22:31,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: CHED academic records, and Marina seafarer certificates, and we are currently 281 00:22:31,930 --> 00:22:36,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: working with other government agencies issuing such certificates so that we can 282 00:22:36,070 --> 00:22:41,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: make all of these fully online. We have also 77 of our Foreign Service posts now 283 00:22:41,650 --> 00:22:47,530 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: issuing e-visas, and we are cooperating with DICT on the phased rollout of this 284 00:22:47,530 --> 00:22:54,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: e-visa issuance. Next slide please. Again to bring services closer to the 285 00:22:54,930 --> 00:22:56,430 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Filipino people in various jurisdictions 286 00:22:56,430 --> 00:23:02,010 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: around the world, we have opened three Foreign Service post in 2025. Our first 287 00:23:02,010 --> 00:23:09,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: resident embassy in the Pacific, in Suva, Fiji, covering over 1,500 Filipinos. We 288 00:23:09,890 --> 00:23:14,510 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: reopened a consulate general in Busan, and Southern Republic of Korea, which 289 00:23:14,510 --> 00:23:20,150 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: covers 20,000 Filipinos, and we reopened our consulate general in Seattle, in 290 00:23:20,150 --> 00:23:26,090 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Washington State, which covers 167,000 Filipinos, not only in Washington State, 291 00:23:26,090 --> 00:23:28,090 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: but in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. 292 00:23:28,710 --> 00:23:29,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. 293 00:23:30,630 --> 00:23:34,350 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: In 2026 and over to 2027, 294 00:23:34,810 --> 00:23:38,490 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we are going to be opening four new foreign service posts. 295 00:23:39,190 --> 00:23:41,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Our Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, 296 00:23:41,690 --> 00:23:43,610 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: which covers 1,800 Filipinos 297 00:23:43,610 --> 00:23:46,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and is also the economic hub of Vietnam, 298 00:23:47,130 --> 00:23:49,090 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we opened, I think, two months ago. 299 00:23:49,770 --> 00:23:51,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: We will be opening before the end of the year 300 00:23:51,670 --> 00:23:54,330 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: our embassy in Accra, Ghana, 301 00:23:54,330 --> 00:23:57,390 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and our first resident embassy in Central Asia 302 00:23:57,390 --> 00:23:58,690 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in Astana, Kazakhstan. 303 00:23:59,410 --> 00:24:01,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: And by early next year or sometime next year, 304 00:24:02,010 --> 00:24:04,990 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we will be opening our Consulate General in Miami, 305 00:24:05,670 --> 00:24:07,830 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: servicing over 200,000 Filipinos 306 00:24:07,830 --> 00:24:11,910 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in the U.S. Southwest and the Caribbean. 307 00:24:12,850 --> 00:24:13,510 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. 308 00:24:15,390 --> 00:24:16,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: As the Secretary mentioned, 309 00:24:16,910 --> 00:24:19,630 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we are requesting a budget of 35 billion pesos, 310 00:24:19,630 --> 00:24:24,130 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: which represents 0.49% of the total proposed national budget. 311 00:24:25,330 --> 00:24:27,010 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: And next slide, please. 312 00:24:27,490 --> 00:24:31,730 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Briefly, a big part of that budget 313 00:24:31,730 --> 00:24:35,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: will go to the implementation 314 00:24:35,370 --> 00:24:38,350 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of the new next-generation Philippine passport. 315 00:24:39,390 --> 00:24:42,430 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: We are hoping to redesign the passport booklet 316 00:24:42,430 --> 00:24:45,770 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: to make it fully compliant with ICAO 317 00:24:45,770 --> 00:24:48,270 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and with enhanced security features, 318 00:24:49,110 --> 00:24:51,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: additional pages for a full 10-year validity, 319 00:24:51,070 --> 00:24:55,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and the latest contactless chip technology. 320 00:24:56,180 --> 00:24:59,460 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: The estimated indicative launch of the e-passport, 321 00:24:59,460 --> 00:25:01,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the new generation e-passport, 322 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:02,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: is June 2028. 323 00:25:02,980 --> 00:25:04,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: But over the next year, 324 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:05,580 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we would need to 325 00:25:05,580 --> 00:25:10,400 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: phase in the requirements we needed 326 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:13,620 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: for the rollout of the next-generation passport. 327 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:14,860 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. 328 00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:20,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: FY 2027 budgetary thrusts for national security include 329 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:22,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: enhancing bilateral strategic partnerships, 330 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:24,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: multilateral and regional mechanisms, 331 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:25,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and of course, 332 00:25:25,120 --> 00:25:27,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: continuing to protect our sovereignty 333 00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:28,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in our maritime domain. 334 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:29,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Next slide, please. 335 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:32,280 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: For economic security, 336 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:34,220 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we will continue to raise awareness 337 00:25:34,220 --> 00:25:36,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: on Philippine creative industries, 338 00:25:36,260 --> 00:25:36,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: promote opportunities 339 00:25:36,900 --> 00:25:38,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: from free trade agreements, 340 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:40,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: champion services trade facilitation, 341 00:25:40,980 --> 00:25:42,220 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and development cooperation 342 00:25:42,220 --> 00:25:43,600 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: as an economic enabler 343 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:45,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and to leverage our participation 344 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:46,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in APEC, ASEAN, 345 00:25:46,500 --> 00:25:48,420 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the UN and other multilateral 346 00:25:48,420 --> 00:25:53,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: economic forums. Next slide, please. For our services to 347 00:25:53,890 --> 00:25:57,450 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the public we will continue to promote and from protect the rights and 348 00:25:57,450 --> 00:26:01,770 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: welfare of overseas Filipinos we will actively engage with national agencies 349 00:26:01,770 --> 00:26:08,030 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: including the DMW or BI and others to protect our overseas Filipinos we are 350 00:26:08,030 --> 00:26:12,690 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: also rolling out programs to enhance Filipino communities overseas 351 00:26:12,690 --> 00:26:17,010 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: preparedness during national emergencies in their host countries and 352 00:26:17,010 --> 00:26:23,490 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we are also continuing with developing a data-driven evidence-based database for 353 00:26:23,490 --> 00:26:30,210 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: overseas Filipinos next slide please for consular and other services we will 354 00:26:30,210 --> 00:26:34,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: continue to improve our authentication and apostille coverage and of course as 355 00:26:34,950 --> 00:26:37,350 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: mentioned earlier the preparations for the next generation of Philippine 356 00:26:37,350 --> 00:26:42,010 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: passport continue bilateral consular cooperation provide undisrupted 357 00:26:42,010 --> 00:26:42,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: consular services 358 00:26:42,670 --> 00:26:48,610 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and in the lead-up to the elections in 2028 to assist Comelec in overseas 359 00:26:48,610 --> 00:26:54,230 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: voting registration and voting proper next slide please in terms of 360 00:26:54,230 --> 00:26:59,010 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: organizational development we will continue with our ICT programs aligned 361 00:26:59,010 --> 00:27:05,390 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: with the ICT's ISP and BT we will we have established the our own 362 00:27:05,390 --> 00:27:08,590 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: information communications and technology office and we are now in the 363 00:27:08,590 --> 00:27:12,590 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: process of operationalizing this to improve consular services using IT 364 00:27:12,670 --> 00:27:19,570 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and other online platforms we are also in the currently retrofitting the DFA 365 00:27:19,570 --> 00:27:24,670 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: headquarters in 2330 Ross Boulevard and we will continue capacity building for 366 00:27:24,670 --> 00:27:33,870 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: DFA personnel at the final slide for this presentation next slide please 367 00:27:33,870 --> 00:27:40,730 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: again to summarize the DFA and its attached agencies are requesting the 368 00:27:40,730 --> 00:27:44,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: House of Representatives' support for thirty-four point nine zero two billion 369 00:27:44,930 --> 00:27:51,250 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: pesos budget as shown on the screen and to present the technical details of our 370 00:27:51,250 --> 00:27:55,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: budget proposal i would like to turn over to assistant secretary Emilio Fernandez 371 00:27:55,370 --> 00:27:59,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of our Office of Financial Management Services. Thank you. 372 00:27:59,890 --> 00:28:07,030 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: good afternoon your honors the twenty twenty seven NEP level of the DFA and 373 00:28:07,030 --> 00:28:13,610 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: its attached agencies stands at thirty five point one seven billion pesos this 374 00:28:13,610 --> 00:28:14,770 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: is a 375 00:28:14,770 --> 00:28:28,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: 17% increase compared to the 2026 nep of 30.09 billion pesos okay i'll just wait for the 376 00:28:28,900 --> 00:28:43,880 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: slide presentation okay third slide please okay next slide all right this slide shows the breakdown 377 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:51,800 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: of the nep for the dfa and its attached agencies the rightmost column shows the percentage change 378 00:28:51,800 --> 00:29:03,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: of the 2027 nep against the department's 2026 ga level with the dfa osec receiving a 22% increase 379 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:11,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and the attached agencies showing slight declines next slide this slide shows the dfa's budget in 380 00:29:11,640 --> 00:29:21,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: 2025 and 2026 and next year's proposed budget the amount increased by about 1 billion in 2026 381 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:29,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and by some 6.3 billion in 2027 the reasons for which we will expound on later next slide 382 00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:39,400 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: now this slide shows the 2027 nep by allotment class with omooe continuing to take the largest 383 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:48,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: share at 54 followed by personnel services at 39 and capital outlay at seven percent next slide 384 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:51,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: now this slide provides the main reasons for 385 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:58,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: the changes in the budget for ps we have three things the implementation of the fourth tranche 386 00:29:58,840 --> 00:29:59,960 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: of the updated salary 387 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:06,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: schedule, ito yung ating basic salary. There's also the implementation of the, also fourth 388 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:12,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: tranche of the increase in foreign service allowances. And there's the transfer of the 389 00:30:12,020 --> 00:30:16,860 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: budget of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines, which has been integrated 390 00:30:16,860 --> 00:30:25,180 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: to the DFA. For MOE, we have four reasons as well. We have the initial funding for the 391 00:30:25,180 --> 00:30:32,340 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: next-gen passport at 2.8 billion pesos. There's the provision for foreign exchange fluctuations 392 00:30:32,340 --> 00:30:39,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and inflation, particularly for FSPs, and additional funds for rents of FSPs to cover 393 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:46,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: the annual increases in their contracts. And there's also the increase for the MOE component 394 00:30:46,020 --> 00:30:53,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: of the ISSP projects. Finally, for capital outlay, three factors to note. As directed 395 00:30:53,260 --> 00:30:55,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: by the Development Budget Coordinator, we have the need to increase the capital outlay 396 00:30:55,160 --> 00:31:07,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for the ISSP projects. And this is true for all agencies. There's also no appropriations 397 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:15,760 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for the opening of additional FSPs in 2027. Next slide. Let me provide some of the highlights 398 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:22,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for each of the allotment classes for the DFA's proposed budget. For PS, there is the 399 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:25,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: provision of 3.6 billion pesos. 400 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:33,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: For the salaries and benefits of its 3,000-plus personnel, there is 9.9 billion for the Foreign 401 00:31:33,360 --> 00:31:40,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: Service Allowances of DFA's personnel overseas. And about 345 million pesos has been set aside 402 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:52,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: as terminal leave benefits for those scheduled to retire. Next slide. For MOE, we have 5.8 403 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:57,400 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: billion for passports, including the implementation of the next-generation passport. 404 00:31:58,060 --> 00:32:05,980 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: billion for the International Commitments Fund to cover mandatory contributions to 405 00:32:05,980 --> 00:32:10,620 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: international organizations and the hosting of international conferences. There is 1.2 406 00:32:10,620 --> 00:32:20,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: billion for the ATN and legal assistance fund, 957 million for ICT expenditures, 572 million 407 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:24,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for the Deployment Fund, and about 45 million 408 00:32:24,500 --> 00:32:33,040 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: pesos for overseas voting next slide please for moe and capital outlay we have the building fund 409 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:41,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: used for the redevelopment acquisition expansion and major repairs of government-owned chanceries 410 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:48,560 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and official residences abroad it's in the amount of 1.4 billion there's also the retrofitting 411 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:55,600 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: project with its moe component for the lease of its temporary offices and the project management 412 00:32:55,600 --> 00:33:01,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: cost as well as the capital outlay component for the retrofitting of the permanent headquarters 413 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:10,800 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: along ross boulevard and its interior fit out work next slide as far as the dfa's performance 414 00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:18,080 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: is concerned a very satisfactory rating was again obtained from dbm's agency performance review 415 00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:24,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for 2025 in the area of physical performance which checks if agencies finished 416 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:30,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: their targeted programs activities and projects the department did very well in meeting its 417 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:37,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: targets for all of its indicators with accomplishment figures between 96 and 100 418 00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:51,570 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: next night for the dfa's financial performance a bur of 80 percent in 2025 was realized next slide 419 00:33:52,290 --> 00:33:57,570 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and this slide shows the dfa's major programs and their corresponding utilization 420 00:33:58,450 --> 00:34:02,850 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: this year and using last year's continuing appropriations they include passports 421 00:34:03,490 --> 00:34:11,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: the icf building fund the retrofitting project ATN and legal assistance funds and the Motor Vehicle Refleeting 422 00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:19,970 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: program the next slide shows the allocation and utilization of the budget of the department's 423 00:34:20,530 --> 00:34:21,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: major programs 424 00:34:22,290 --> 00:34:29,540 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: and the level of investment the department has made in the past the past five years 425 00:34:30,580 --> 00:34:37,380 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: next slide we could trace the department's bur performance in 2025 to a number of factors 426 00:34:38,020 --> 00:34:46,420 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: there was a slight delay in the retrofitting of the dfa headquarters in 2025 owing to a failure 427 00:34:46,420 --> 00:34:51,800 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: in the initial bidding and it was not until the middle of the year when the project began. Likewise, 428 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:59,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: ATN functions were formally transferred to DMW, created in 2023, leading to decreased 429 00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:05,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: utilization of the ATN and legal assistance funds. Moreover, a number of 430 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:10,860 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: building fund projects were deferred due to cost escalations, feasibility 431 00:35:10,860 --> 00:35:16,580 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: concerns, and constraints imposed by host country regulatory requirements. Also, 432 00:35:16,580 --> 00:35:21,060 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: there's the shifting demand for passports, owing to the lengthening of 433 00:35:21,060 --> 00:35:28,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: their validity to 10 years. Next slide. Finally, for the first half of the year, 434 00:35:28,900 --> 00:35:36,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: a BUR of close to 53% was realized, and the DFA is ensuring the proper 435 00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:42,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: utilization of its remaining funds for the rest of the year, and it is hopeful 436 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:47,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: that it will equal, if not surpass, last year's figures. Maraming salamat po. 437 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:57,360 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you. Thank you, sir. 438 00:35:57,460 --> 00:36:02,620 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: At this point, we will entertain the interpolations of our distinguished 439 00:36:02,620 --> 00:36:07,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: colleagues. May I remind our distinguished colleagues that each member is allotted 440 00:36:07,300 --> 00:36:11,120 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: five minutes for questions or interpolation, excluding the responses 441 00:36:11,120 --> 00:36:15,640 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of the resource persons. When the bell sounds, the member has 30 seconds to 442 00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:19,400 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: conclude. Consistent with the long-standing practice of the House, the 443 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:23,880 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Chair shall recognize minority, independent, and majority members in an 444 00:36:23,880 --> 00:36:27,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: alternating manner when practicable. 445 00:36:27,460 --> 00:36:32,980 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: The Chair first recognizes the Honorable Perci Cendaña from the minority. 446 00:36:32,980 --> 00:36:40,220 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, Madam Secretary. Radiant in pink today. 447 00:36:40,220 --> 00:36:45,280 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Let me begin with an administrative question before I proceed to the 448 00:36:45,280 --> 00:36:51,260 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: broader policy questions that I will raise today. Memo Order No. 24, 449 00:36:51,260 --> 00:36:57,000 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: series of 1992, and the July 2025 memo on strengthening the legislative liaison 450 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:01,520 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: system require legislative liaison officers in each department to have the 451 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:07,840 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: rank of at least Assistant Secretary. Previous DFA leaderships have assigned 452 00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:15,200 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: senior Foreign Service officers. Many are ASIC level to lead the DLLU. May we ask 453 00:37:15,200 --> 00:37:21,880 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: our dear Foreign Affairs Secretary, ano po ang rank ng assigned sa DLLU ngayon? 454 00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:26,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. First of all, the persons who are in charge of the DLLU, 455 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:33,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: now, is a home-based personnel, meaning this person will not be given an opportunity to be 456 00:37:33,860 --> 00:37:41,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: assigned abroad. That's what we call a home-based personnel. Now, indeed, you're correct that in the 457 00:37:41,100 --> 00:37:48,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: past, the DFA legislative liaison unit was given to assistant secretaries with the rank of chief 458 00:37:48,780 --> 00:37:56,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of mission tour ambassadors. However, it is because of the reorganization of the department 459 00:37:56,280 --> 00:38:05,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and by the fact that DLLU means DFA legislative liaison unit, and it is just merely a unit which 460 00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:11,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is attached to the department, to the office of the secretary. And therefore, I am given the 461 00:38:11,500 --> 00:38:21,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: discretion on who to appoint. And it is my view, as secretary of foreign affairs, that the person 462 00:38:21,120 --> 00:38:25,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that should be in charge of this unit should be somebody who should be 463 00:38:25,620 --> 00:38:26,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: know 464 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:36,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the history or also know the personnel of both Houses, 465 00:38:36,900 --> 00:38:50,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which will enable us to deal with both houses efficiently. So that, Your Honor, is the reason. I think there is 466 00:38:50,840 --> 00:38:55,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: only one office, I think. I just surmise. It is the PLLO, which is based in the palace, whereby it is with a ranking. 467 00:38:55,620 --> 00:39:00,660 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: with the rank of assistant secretary but in our you know in the department of foreign affairs it 468 00:39:00,660 --> 00:39:07,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is a unit and therefore it doesn't have to be with the rank of a chief of mission too 469 00:39:07,700 --> 00:39:14,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: because there are other offices that we have reconstituted and reorganized and we need those um 470 00:39:14,820 --> 00:39:19,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: those um assistant secretaries with that corresponding rank thank you 471 00:39:19,540 --> 00:39:20,980 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: thank you mr 472 00:39:20,980 --> 00:39:34,500 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Chair, Madam Secretary. Sana po bigyan po natin ng sapat na halaga at importansya yung trabaho natin with the House of Representatives and the legislative branch of government by assigning an ASEC-level liaison officer. 473 00:39:34,660 --> 00:39:39,140 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: considering dfa's historical practice existing memorandum and the nature 474 00:39:39,140 --> 00:39:42,180 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: of dfa's dealings with congress on legislative matters 475 00:39:42,220 --> 00:39:51,740 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Sana po ay mag-commit ang DFA to assign a DLLU head na at least ASEC level. And this is the humble appeal of this representation to the good Secretary. 476 00:39:51,740 --> 00:39:56,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. I just want to reiterate that when it comes to the 477 00:39:59,140 --> 00:40:06,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pagdating po sa halaga ng House of Representatives, ito po ay of utter, of paramount importance, and the reason that we are 478 00:40:06,740 --> 00:40:12,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: given a home-based personnel because it is really under the office of the secretary 479 00:40:12,580 --> 00:40:20,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: anything but everything that is conveyed or through our conduit it is really um me myself and 480 00:40:20,260 --> 00:40:24,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the other undersecretaries who act on it for [unclear]. Salamat po. 481 00:40:24,820 --> 00:40:29,060 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Thank you, Mr. Chair, Madam Secretary. We insist that the good 482 00:40:29,060 --> 00:40:34,260 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: secretary consider this a decision and we hope that there will be time between now and the 483 00:40:34,260 --> 00:40:40,420 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: plenary for the consideration of this decision thank you mr chair madam secretary let me move 484 00:40:40,420 --> 00:40:47,700 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: on to other issues. Ito po yung usapin ng, I'm sure you're expecting that Akbayan will ask this question. Sukatin niyo na po kami pagdating dito. 485 00:40:47,700 --> 00:40:52,900 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Alam naman po natin na patuloy ang pang-angkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea 486 00:40:52,900 --> 00:40:58,100 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: philippine sea at walang tigil po ang pamubuli nito sa ating philippine coast guard pero 487 00:40:58,100 --> 00:41:03,860 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Pero nabalitaan po natin na ang DFA has referred to an arrangement with China concerning rotation and 488 00:41:03,860 --> 00:41:12,460 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. Pwede po ba naming malaman ang nature at scope ng arrangement na ito? Madam Secretary, Mr. Chair. 489 00:41:12,460 --> 00:41:18,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, gusto ko lang po linawin, ito po ba yung arrangement ng Philippine Coast Guard with the 490 00:41:18,780 --> 00:41:20,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Chinese Coast Guard, or ito po you're pertaining 491 00:41:20,540 --> 00:41:24,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to the rotation, the RO-RE? 492 00:41:24,180 --> 00:41:25,920 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: RO-RE po. We're pertaining to the RO-RE po, Madam Secretary. 493 00:41:26,660 --> 00:41:33,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: if you're looking at the arrangement well let me just give the genesis of this this um provisional 494 00:41:33,300 --> 00:41:43,460 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: arrangement came about as a result of the june 2024 whereby uh one of our um uh personnel uh 495 00:41:43,460 --> 00:41:46,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: armed personnel, naputol po yung daliri. 496 00:41:46,100 --> 00:41:58,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it was a very tense moment that it almost i think in the defense uh uh area um it was a very tense 497 00:41:58,100 --> 00:42:04,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: moment and therefore we were requested at that time by concerned uh security agencies that the 498 00:42:04,180 --> 00:42:11,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: department of foreign affairs should try to come up with an arrangement with uh with with china 499 00:42:11,540 --> 00:42:16,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and therefore this provisional arrangement, which is actually allowed under UNCLOS. Now, what does 500 00:42:16,900 --> 00:42:17,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this entail 501 00:42:17,700 --> 00:42:24,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: It's very, very important, and one of the important provisions is not to 502 00:42:24,020 --> 00:42:30,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: prejudice the positions that we have had. That means UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. 503 00:42:30,580 --> 00:42:37,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: so what is the basis here is actually information exchange but i have to tell you your honor that 504 00:42:37,860 --> 00:42:45,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: when this provision arrangement was done it is now shifted it is the the operational side is with afp 505 00:42:45,300 --> 00:42:52,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as well as the Coast Guard. So kami lang po, hindi po kami pumupunta sa karagatan, 506 00:42:52,200 --> 00:43:00,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pero we are there to support our defense agencies in trying to give, I mean trying to 507 00:43:00,820 --> 00:43:05,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: get the connection or it's the information exchange aspect of the provisional arrangement 508 00:43:06,260 --> 00:43:16,280 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: May we know, Mr. Chair, Madam Secretary, if this is a written arrangement? Meron po ba tayong pinirmahan o exchange of notes? 509 00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:19,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: It is actually an exchange of notes, Your Honor. 510 00:43:20,120 --> 00:43:26,940 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: So, sino po ang nag-negotiate, under whose authority, at anong mga ahensya ang kinonsulta natin para po dito? 511 00:43:26,940 --> 00:43:36,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: All the agencies, the security agencies are very much involved, particularly the NSC. 512 00:43:37,620 --> 00:43:40,900 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: thus the arrangement madam secretary mr chair in any way 513 00:43:41,540 --> 00:43:46,900 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: limit the philippines ability to conduct resupply uh rotation repair or other lawful activities 514 00:43:46,900 --> 00:43:49,570 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: within our own exclusive economic zone 515 00:43:49,570 --> 00:43:54,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: well this is a provisional arrangement only in this 516 00:43:54,420 --> 00:44:00,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particular shoal, the Ayungin Shoal, because this is with particular reference only 517 00:44:00,740 --> 00:44:09,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to the Sierra Madre ship. That's why it's called RO-RE: RO, rotation; RE, reprovisioning of necessities. 518 00:44:10,660 --> 00:44:22,680 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Opo. Kasi po, para po sa mga kababayan nating nakikinig, parang every time na lang po... Maraming salamat. May [unclear] question po yata. 519 00:44:22,680 --> 00:44:27,880 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Mukha pong tinatanong ng mga kababayan natin kung bakit po mahalaga yung RO-RE. Kasi po, tandaan po natin, 520 00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:32,500 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: nandun po ang BRP Sierra Madre, ang ating first among our frontliners 521 00:44:32,500 --> 00:44:35,260 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: na kailangan ng regular na resupply mission 522 00:44:35,260 --> 00:44:40,200 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: para sa kanilang pangangailangan. Pero every time po magre-resupply tayo, laging extra challenge. 523 00:44:40,200 --> 00:44:41,600 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Para siyang amazing race 524 00:44:41,600 --> 00:44:43,300 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: with the forces of China 525 00:44:43,300 --> 00:44:44,620 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: blocking our capacity 526 00:44:44,620 --> 00:44:46,260 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: to provide the necessary supplies 527 00:44:46,260 --> 00:44:49,340 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: to our frontliners of the West Philippine Sea. 528 00:44:49,680 --> 00:44:55,220 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Hindi na po ako magtatanong ng masyado pang detalye, Madam Secretary, because I understand the nature of the information. 529 00:44:55,440 --> 00:45:00,040 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: But given the constitutional responsibilities of the Congress, will the DFA provide... 530 00:45:00,040 --> 00:45:04,480 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: appropriate congressional committee with the complete terms of the arrangement even in an 531 00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:08,010 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: executive or confidential session if necessary 532 00:45:08,010 --> 00:45:10,880 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we are at your disposal your honor but i just want to 533 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:19,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to uh to um affirm or to reconfirm confirm that there had been 16 rores for the past two years 534 00:45:20,160 --> 00:45:23,650 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: without incident i just want to reiterate to emphasize that 535 00:45:23,650 --> 00:45:25,520 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: thank you for that madam secretary 536 00:45:25,520 --> 00:45:30,480 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: and we will hold you to your commitment that you will share with us the details of this um 537 00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:38,080 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: arrangement made with a china um let me go to my last set of questions i understand that 538 00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:43,440 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: i still have a few more minutes um, ito naman po ay tungkol doon sa austerity measures, no? 539 00:45:43,440 --> 00:45:47,200 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Meron po tayong na-receive na report na nag-celebrate sa five star hotel 540 00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:52,240 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Hotels, I'm sorry, na nag-celebrate sa five star hotels ang independence day celebration 541 00:45:52,240 --> 00:45:55,360 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: ang DFA. So meaning ay yung independence day celebrations natin 542 00:45:55,520 --> 00:46:02,000 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: here and abroad, kahit may memo na tayo to observe austerity can the department confirm this if this 543 00:46:02,000 --> 00:46:06,130 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: indeed took place madam secretary mr chair 544 00:46:06,130 --> 00:46:11,950 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um i i i'm sorry uh your honor just to repeat your 545 00:46:11,950 --> 00:46:12,970 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: your question 546 00:46:12,970 --> 00:46:18,430 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: we receive reports madam secretary that the dfa conducted independence day 547 00:46:18,430 --> 00:46:26,590 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: celebrations in five-star hotels even if there's already a memo directing us to observe austerity 548 00:46:26,590 --> 00:46:27,070 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: measures 549 00:46:27,630 --> 00:46:30,180 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: may we confirm it this actually took place 550 00:46:30,180 --> 00:46:34,750 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um your honor i think there would be um i because of the 551 00:46:34,750 --> 00:46:41,550 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: memo that has been uh furnished all our foreign service posts i think most of them have exercised 552 00:46:41,550 --> 00:46:49,070 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: austerity measures however there are very important posts which in the view of the ambassador as the 553 00:46:49,070 --> 00:46:54,270 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: person on the ground because it's the 80th anniversary is the 50th anniversary that they 554 00:46:54,270 --> 00:46:57,550 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: took it upon themselves to 555 00:46:57,550 --> 00:47:04,350 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: be more than the usual, in the sense, like, I'll just give you a perfect example: Washington, D.C. 556 00:47:04,350 --> 00:47:11,310 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that was an ed celebration of the 80th anniversary of philippine u.s relations however it is um 557 00:47:12,750 --> 00:47:19,310 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: even when i was ambassador and my funds are not enough there's always certain uh um 558 00:47:21,070 --> 00:47:27,070 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: funds that can be sourced out so um we'll i think that's that's the response and it is the view 559 00:47:27,550 --> 00:47:35,950 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that um if if there was a slight uh um it i would i will not consider it extravagance but 560 00:47:35,950 --> 00:47:42,750 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it is the importance of the of the celebration but generally your honor i think austerity 561 00:47:43,310 --> 00:47:47,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: uh was practiced by almost all of our foreign service posts thank you 562 00:47:47,420 --> 00:47:49,310 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: thank you uh madam 563 00:47:49,310 --> 00:47:57,150 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: Secretary. Mr. Chair, may the committee request the DFA to provide a spending breakdown per Foreign 564 00:47:57,550 --> 00:48:01,870 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: service post including expenses for venues catering receptions entertainment transportation 565 00:48:01,870 --> 00:48:09,550 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: and related costs in time for a plenary thank you mr chair and um before i end this round of 566 00:48:09,550 --> 00:48:14,110 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: questioning to provide the opportunity to other members of the house i'd like to reiterate our 567 00:48:14,110 --> 00:48:19,470 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: humble appeal to the good secretary for the designation of the dllu with the rank of at least 568 00:48:19,470 --> 00:48:23,310 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: assistant secretary and this question we will raise again in the plenary thank you very much 569 00:48:25,390 --> 00:48:27,070 Rep. Percival "Perci" Cendaña: madam secretary mr chair 570 00:48:29,260 --> 00:48:38,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you our congressman sendenya um may we now call on representative brian poe from the majority 571 00:48:39,340 --> 00:48:45,500 Rep. Brian Poe: thank you very much mr chair uh mr chair before i say anything else i want to preface uh with 572 00:48:45,500 --> 00:48:50,060 Rep. Brian Poe: the fact that i would like to acknowledge the best and the brightest one of our most professional 573 00:48:50,060 --> 00:48:55,740 Rep. Brian Poe: agencies the department of foreign affairs especially in this time though mr chair wherein 574 00:48:55,740 --> 00:48:57,660 Rep. Brian Poe: uh global tensions are high 575 00:48:59,020 --> 00:49:04,860 Rep. Brian Poe: foreign affairs plays a very vital role in making sure that we're able to put our best foot forward 576 00:49:05,580 --> 00:49:11,100 Rep. Brian Poe: and negotiations on both economic and security matters so it's very important that we're able 577 00:49:11,100 --> 00:49:17,420 Rep. Brian Poe: to support them in this budget cycle with that being said as their chair i i'll take off from 578 00:49:17,420 --> 00:49:25,020 Rep. Brian Poe: where my colleague left us and i just want to ask about the um the status of our diplomatic protests 579 00:49:25,020 --> 00:49:31,740 Rep. Brian Poe: i believe within the first half of the year alone we filed 27 protests and of course this is in 580 00:49:31,740 --> 00:49:38,540 Rep. Brian Poe: relation to the west philippine sea now has anything materialized because of these protests 581 00:49:39,100 --> 00:49:44,220 Rep. Brian Poe: what can we report back as kind of our achievements in this front 582 00:49:44,220 --> 00:49:45,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um thank you your honor 583 00:49:45,980 --> 00:49:53,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um thank you very much for your very kind words your initial statement um actually we have a total 584 00:49:55,020 --> 00:50:05,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: 39 protests for 20 diplomatic protests for 2026. um your question if there were any changes um if 585 00:50:05,980 --> 00:50:12,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um well the only change that i can cite right now is that the uh incidents that have happened in the 586 00:50:12,380 --> 00:50:23,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: past um the um the the the water cannon the laser i think it has sort of uh decreased and therefore 587 00:50:24,620 --> 00:50:24,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this 588 00:50:25,020 --> 00:50:30,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: are the significant changes although we know very well that our defense establishments have always 589 00:50:30,380 --> 00:50:39,660 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: been uh um citing also the um the um the chinese military vessels so that's the only change but 590 00:50:39,660 --> 00:50:47,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: uh your honor i'd like to refer this to our um um executive director for our maritime affairs 591 00:50:47,420 --> 00:50:50,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: office we have more information please 592 00:50:50,160 --> 00:50:54,620 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: thank you madam secretary um good afternoon 593 00:50:54,620 --> 00:51:01,660 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: uh your honor as already mentioned by the secretary from 2026 this year we have 594 00:51:01,660 --> 00:51:09,500 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: issued already 39 protests and for the whole year i mean from 2022 to 2026 595 00:51:09,500 --> 00:51:16,860 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: the total number of diplomatic protests that we have issued this uh stands at 296 ready 596 00:51:16,860 --> 00:51:24,220 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: but we have to understand also that results on the ground may take time because while diplomacy 597 00:51:24,620 --> 00:51:30,060 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: is the bigger toolbox in the government's uh bigger tool in the government's toolbox we have to work 598 00:51:30,060 --> 00:51:37,820 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: in tandem with other government agencies particularly our security agencies our national 599 00:51:37,820 --> 00:51:43,900 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: maritime council because this is a whole of government effort so all these things will factor 600 00:51:43,900 --> 00:51:52,620 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: in this is not to say that we expect to see immediate results because it we have to be patient 601 00:51:52,620 --> 00:51:54,220 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: we have to take time but if we have to take time to do something we have to take time to do things 602 00:51:54,220 --> 00:51:59,700 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: what the president has always mentioned that we have to give diplomacy and dialogue a chance 603 00:51:59,700 --> 00:52:01,150 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: thank you your honor 604 00:52:01,150 --> 00:52:06,020 Rep. Brian Poe: thank you um that's that's really the point no i was happy to hear from the 605 00:52:06,020 --> 00:52:12,720 Rep. Brian Poe: the secretary that we have less incidents no of water cannons and of lasers uh in the west 606 00:52:12,720 --> 00:52:16,960 Rep. Brian Poe: philippine sea because this is a whole of nation approach as you said there are other agencies and 607 00:52:16,960 --> 00:52:22,940 Rep. Brian Poe: other departments involved uh and whatever effort the dfa puts in with these diplomatic uh protests 608 00:52:22,940 --> 00:52:28,980 Rep. Brian Poe: uh also supports uh our front liners including the coast guard and of course our fisher folk no 609 00:52:28,980 --> 00:52:33,600 Rep. Brian Poe: um so i just wanted to ask about that so that at least on the record we can tell 610 00:52:33,600 --> 00:52:40,620 Rep. Brian Poe: our constituents that something happened because we have diplomatic protests and the efforts of 611 00:52:40,620 --> 00:52:47,000 Rep. Brian Poe: the dfa continue we are not discouraged that even if we have 100 200 plus diplomatic protests 612 00:52:47,000 --> 00:52:51,860 Rep. Brian Poe: we will continue as long as there are any violations we feel of our sovereignty 613 00:52:52,940 --> 00:53:00,500 Rep. Brian Poe: Uh, with that being said, the second question I want to ask is para sa mga OFWs natin or yung mga constituents, mga Filipinos sa Nepal, 614 00:53:00,780 --> 00:53:06,300 Rep. Brian Poe: do we have a complete list of those who are affected and what is the dfa doing to support 615 00:53:06,300 --> 00:53:08,300 Rep. Brian Poe: uh our kababayan abroad 616 00:53:08,300 --> 00:53:13,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: initial thank you very much your honor initial reaction is that we do not 617 00:53:13,020 --> 00:53:21,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: have a foreign service establishment in Nepal, so we rely only on our embassy in New Delhi, 618 00:53:22,940 --> 00:53:26,080 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which has jurisdiction over Nepal and that area. 619 00:53:26,080 --> 00:53:29,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: More so, we have an honorary consul 620 00:53:29,260 --> 00:53:34,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: in Kathmandu, which is the capital of Nepal, that I think 621 00:53:34,860 --> 00:53:40,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the honorary consul himself is also 622 00:53:40,940 --> 00:53:47,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: affected however based on the information and uh of course that is cascading to our embassy in delhi 623 00:53:47,580 --> 00:53:52,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: there is um there were filipinos there but there's only one missing uh and uh all efforts now have 624 00:53:52,780 --> 00:54:20,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I mean, all the resources, international organizations as well as the local authorities are still in the process of searching, as there are many. Reports said that there are about 4,000 missing persons. So now, I think we ask the family for the DNA so that we can match it with those bodies that are around the area. 625 00:54:20,420 --> 00:54:33,780 Rep. Brian Poe: Of course, the situation in Nepal is very unfortunate. We have one kababayan that's missing, and I'm glad to hear that there are efforts to identify possibly through DNA matching. But at least may update po tayo dito. 626 00:54:35,220 --> 00:54:49,280 Rep. Brian Poe: Speaking of a kababayan that has passed away, there is the case of Sam De La Cruz. He was a 25-year-old migrant worker who was working on a fishing vessel. He passed away in 2018. 627 00:54:49,280 --> 00:55:01,120 Rep. Brian Poe: And his body was buried somewhere in Somalia. And the family, until now, is still requesting that his body be returned to the Philippines. Is there any update on Sam De La Cruz? 628 00:55:02,080 --> 00:55:07,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, I would refer you to our officer in charge of migrant affairs, please. 629 00:55:08,760 --> 00:55:18,000 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, Madam Secretary. Good afternoon, Honorable Member of the House. Thank you for this opportunity. 630 00:55:19,280 --> 00:55:36,600 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: We traced the information, and I can confirm that Mr. Sam De La Cruz is a former seafarer who was registered with the agency of GMM Global Maritime in Manila. 631 00:55:36,600 --> 00:55:44,420 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: He died in July 2018 due to cardiopulmonary arrest back in 2018. 632 00:55:45,220 --> 00:55:49,080 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: I would like to state first that the DFA understands the immense difficulty. 633 00:55:49,280 --> 00:55:56,340 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And emotional pain the family continues to endure during this prolonged process. 634 00:55:56,960 --> 00:56:03,360 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: The DFA remains committed to supporting the De La Cruz family in coordination with Global Maritime. 635 00:56:03,740 --> 00:56:10,680 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: The case, which dates back to 2018, sir, has been complicated by various factors. 636 00:56:10,680 --> 00:56:17,740 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: First was, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. 637 00:56:18,420 --> 00:56:18,680 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And it's... 638 00:56:19,280 --> 00:56:25,240 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: What had happened in Somalia, which has immediate... 639 00:56:25,240 --> 00:56:33,840 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Which applies Islamic Sharia, and therefore burying the remains immediately, and other logistical concerns. 640 00:56:35,460 --> 00:56:37,200 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: The DFA had... 641 00:56:37,200 --> 00:56:43,780 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: I have a record of all the diplomatic notes that had been sent by our embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, 642 00:56:43,780 --> 00:56:49,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: which has responsibility over Somalia. 643 00:56:49,280 --> 00:56:52,700 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Since we also do not have a mission in Somalia. 644 00:56:53,160 --> 00:57:02,300 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And at that time, they had not received an official reply from the government of Somalia. 645 00:57:03,340 --> 00:57:13,580 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: GMM, the agency, also communicated with Somali authorities back in November 2018, and had located the burial site in Bosaso, 646 00:57:13,580 --> 00:57:19,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: which is about a thousand kilometers away from Mogadishu, the capital. 647 00:57:19,280 --> 00:57:26,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Uh, and had worked to secure permits and funding for exhumation of the remains. 648 00:57:26,180 --> 00:57:33,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Despite preliminary agreement with local officials, negotiations stalled, and the plan did not proceed. 649 00:57:33,600 --> 00:57:48,300 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Uh, back in, uh, in 2025 last year, we had asked our, uh, embassy in Nairobi to engage again with the embassy, with the Philippine, with the Somali embassy. 650 00:57:49,140 --> 00:57:55,380 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Nairobi to convey our request to the government in Mogadishu, Somalia, and unfortunately they 651 00:57:55,380 --> 00:58:03,800 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: had not yet also received any reply officially. 652 00:58:03,800 --> 00:58:14,660 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: With that update, we will re-instruct or send instructions again to our embassy in Nairobi 653 00:58:14,660 --> 00:58:25,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: to meet with the embassy of Somalia in Nairobi to revive this issue. 654 00:58:25,040 --> 00:58:26,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, sir. 655 00:58:26,040 --> 00:58:31,920 Rep. Brian Poe: Thank you very much, and I appreciate how thorough the discussion is on this and how 656 00:58:31,920 --> 00:58:33,860 Rep. Brian Poe: well you've kept track of this situation. 657 00:58:33,860 --> 00:58:39,440 Rep. Brian Poe: That shows that you truly care about the Filipino that we lost abroad and that you care about 658 00:58:39,440 --> 00:58:41,100 Rep. Brian Poe: the plight of their family. 659 00:58:41,100 --> 00:58:44,640 Rep. Brian Poe: This is an important message that we need to send all of our migrants. 660 00:58:44,640 --> 00:58:47,960 Rep. Brian Poe: We need to remind our migrant workers that the DFA will continue to keep working for 661 00:58:47,960 --> 00:58:48,960 Rep. Brian Poe: you. 662 00:58:48,960 --> 00:58:52,940 Rep. Brian Poe: The assurance that I was looking for in this committee hearing was just the assurance that 663 00:58:52,940 --> 00:58:59,200 Rep. Brian Poe: the DFA will continue to try its best to bring home the body of our kababayan. 664 00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:03,780 Rep. Brian Poe: But understanding the situation, of course it's difficult with Somalia, the diplomatic 665 00:59:03,780 --> 00:59:08,800 Rep. Brian Poe: ties that we don't have a mission there, and of course the fact that they're not responding 666 00:59:08,800 --> 00:59:13,300 Rep. Brian Poe: to us is not our fault, but we should not stop knocking at their door to ask for the 667 00:59:13,300 --> 00:59:14,300 Rep. Brian Poe: body back. 668 00:59:14,300 --> 00:59:14,420 Rep. Brian Poe: Thank you. 669 00:59:14,640 --> 00:59:26,040 Rep. Brian Poe: So with that being said, I want to move now to the assessment of an important document, 670 00:59:26,040 --> 00:59:28,980 Rep. Brian Poe: and that's the Mombasa Declaration. 671 00:59:28,980 --> 00:59:35,060 Rep. Brian Poe: This would affect us because of our status as a maritime nation with our fishing, etc. 672 00:59:35,060 --> 00:59:40,960 Rep. Brian Poe: What is the position or what is the assessment of the DFA when it comes to the Mombasa Declaration? 673 00:59:40,960 --> 00:59:43,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Again, thank you, Mr. Chair. 674 00:59:43,000 --> 00:59:43,960 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I mean, rather, Your Honor. 675 00:59:43,960 --> 00:59:51,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I would like to refer this to my Assistant Secretary for UN and other international organizations 676 00:59:51,840 --> 01:00:00,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: on this, particularly of this Mombasa Declaration. 677 01:00:00,720 --> 01:00:06,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I'm sorry, it's not you; it's our maritime affairs office again because this pertains to fishing personnel. 678 01:00:06,480 --> 01:00:08,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: please 679 01:00:08,600 --> 01:00:13,600 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: thank you madam secretary your honor for having the floor again and um the mombasa 680 01:00:13,600 --> 01:00:21,680 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: declaration is an international commitment to increase fisheries transparency and in the global 681 01:00:21,680 --> 01:00:33,360 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: efforts to combat illegal unreported fishing iouf and this was adopted last june 17 2026 by 682 01:00:33,360 --> 01:00:40,080 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: 16 countries and of course we we acknowledge and recognize the leadership of the good congressman 683 01:00:40,720 --> 01:00:47,760 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: your advocacy on blue economy climate resilience and environmental protection for being the head 684 01:00:47,760 --> 01:00:51,680 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: of delegation during the 11th hour ocean 685 01:00:51,680 --> 01:00:59,360 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: conference which was held in mombasa kenya last 16 to 18. and for our consultation with the 686 01:00:59,360 --> 01:01:05,040 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: department of agriculture particularly with the bureau of fisheries and aquatic resources before 687 01:01:05,040 --> 01:01:12,320 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: because this is uh they are the primary government agency in charge of fisheries and in fact in 688 01:01:12,320 --> 01:01:21,360 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: combating illegal unreported fishing iuf there were some concerns as regards the open access provisions 689 01:01:21,360 --> 01:01:21,660 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: in the 690 01:01:21,680 --> 01:01:28,480 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: mombasa declaration particularly on the sharing of sensitive fisheries information 691 01:01:29,760 --> 01:01:37,520 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: data ownership and confidentiality but regardless of our current status the the philippine government 692 01:01:37,520 --> 01:01:44,160 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: is already in fact implementing certain measures like the ship identifiers which you already have 693 01:01:44,160 --> 01:01:51,360 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: and there are also efforts to combat iuf this is not a new issue for the philippines but we want to 694 01:01:51,360 --> 01:01:57,040 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: assure the uh the good congressman that we will continue to coordinate and consult with the dab 695 01:01:57,040 --> 01:02:02,650 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: far to come up with a firmer position on the mambasa declaration thank you your honor 696 01:02:02,650 --> 01:02:03,200 Rep. Brian Poe: thank you 697 01:02:03,200 --> 01:02:09,200 Rep. Brian Poe: Thank you. Ito yung gusto ko sa DFA eh kasi pag may tanong, hindi 'we will get back to you'; kumpleto yung background, 698 01:02:09,200 --> 01:02:14,960 Rep. Brian Poe: yung current status, etc. Ito yung gusto ko sa mga committee hearings na prepared yung mga agencies. 699 01:02:14,960 --> 01:02:21,360 Rep. Brian Poe: uh agencies so with that concern i'm hoping that you can keep me abreast no as to the development 700 01:02:21,360 --> 01:02:26,720 Rep. Brian Poe: of the official position of the DFA when it comes to the declaration para I can, with my counterparts 701 01:02:26,720 --> 01:02:33,200 Rep. Brian Poe: abroad uh i can also keep them updated on the the status here in the philippines so maraming salamat 702 01:02:33,200 --> 01:02:39,520 Rep. Brian Poe: po my last one my last question is something that i think uh for kababayans who aren't too familiar 703 01:02:39,520 --> 01:02:46,800 Rep. Brian Poe: about, want to know what exactly is the role of the DFA when it comes to Pax Silica, just for clarity. 704 01:02:47,920 --> 01:02:50,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: uh thank you again uh your honor 705 01:02:51,760 --> 01:02:58,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as of the present time the issue of pac silica is really an issue between and that is being tackled 706 01:02:58,640 --> 01:03:06,880 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: by the department of trade and industry and bcda um it is not within the purview of the department 707 01:03:06,880 --> 01:03:12,080 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of foreign affairs because even the signing of the document of pac silica was signed by a 708 01:03:12,080 --> 01:03:17,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: representative from the department of trade and industry so that is as far as we're concerned 709 01:03:17,440 --> 01:03:21,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: however if it is concerning the luzon economic corridor 710 01:03:21,360 --> 01:03:27,680 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which is also in conjunction with the pac silica project then we have we are aware of it since 711 01:03:27,680 --> 01:03:34,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this is one of the projects of the tripartite meeting which is between among the u.s japan 712 01:03:34,560 --> 01:03:35,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and the philippines thank you 713 01:03:35,900 --> 01:03:42,080 Rep. Brian Poe: but uh in terms of the uh pac silica project um does the dfa play any 714 01:03:42,080 --> 01:03:45,570 Rep. Brian Poe: kind of advisory or um consulting role 715 01:03:45,570 --> 01:03:50,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um your honor it do it is during the initial stages when 716 01:03:51,360 --> 01:03:56,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the secretary of the state department has been calling on many of the concerned agencies of 717 01:03:56,800 --> 01:04:04,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: government and of course i was one of them that i was able to talk to the the person in charge 718 01:04:04,000 --> 01:04:10,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: who is an undersecretary level so um of course the the the concept itself i think is very good 719 01:04:10,800 --> 01:04:21,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but uh again um this is something that has to be um now that it has a certain uh area that is being 720 01:04:21,360 --> 01:04:27,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: considered i think it's now within the hands of um the two the two other agencies but initially 721 01:04:27,920 --> 01:04:34,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: during the initial discussions of course i think they were looking at how we see things for us 722 01:04:34,560 --> 01:04:42,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: even initially i think we were all it was it was a very good uh concept because i think it is 723 01:04:42,480 --> 01:04:51,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: actually the ai data it is um the concerning critical minerals and the micro or the computer 724 01:04:51,360 --> 01:04:58,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um semiconductor industry and for us if this becomes a reality i think this will mean more jobs 725 01:04:58,800 --> 01:05:02,390 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and going up the ladder in terms of technology thank you 726 01:05:02,390 --> 01:05:05,040 Rep. Brian Poe: i just wanted to make sure that our 727 01:05:05,040 --> 01:05:10,720 Rep. Brian Poe: kababayans are aware that the area of responsibility really falls on dti as well as bcda 728 01:05:11,600 --> 01:05:14,400 Rep. Brian Poe: when it comes to this agreement and that it's economic in nature 729 01:05:15,120 --> 01:05:21,120 Rep. Brian Poe: but in the before we went into this uh there was a little bit of an advisory role 730 01:05:21,360 --> 01:05:26,560 Rep. Brian Poe: uh that the dfa did play in making sure that all stakeholders involved were informed it's just a 731 01:05:26,560 --> 01:05:33,360 Rep. Brian Poe: matter of clarity for the record uh so that moving forward people don't uh you know go to the dfa 732 01:05:33,360 --> 01:05:38,480 Rep. Brian Poe: asking, 'Oh, bakit ganito yung agreement natin for Pax Silica?' At least we're very well aware of 733 01:05:38,480 --> 01:05:44,240 Rep. Brian Poe: the distinct department roles. So yun lang, Mr. Chair, and I would like to thank the DFA 734 01:05:44,240 --> 01:05:50,300 Rep. Brian Poe: for being so prepared in answering our questions. Maraming salamat po. 735 01:05:52,380 --> 01:05:53,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you uh congressman 736 01:05:55,100 --> 01:06:01,700 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: May we now recognize the Honorable Dadah Kiram Ismula from the minority. 737 01:06:01,700 --> 01:06:07,340 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. 738 01:06:07,340 --> 01:06:12,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: good afternoon to the dfa family and to its attached agency 739 01:06:16,780 --> 01:06:21,020 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Congratulations po. But anyway, Mr. Chair, 740 01:06:24,140 --> 01:06:29,020 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: dahil ako naman na yung huling magtatanong, hindi naman na siguro masama kung ako'y lalagpas ng limang minuto, no? 741 01:06:31,100 --> 01:06:40,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: but anyway um to the dfa family no um madam secretary last year i was invited by a civil 742 01:06:40,060 --> 01:06:48,780 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: society organization to observe the 11th session of negotiations for the drafting of a legally 743 01:06:48,780 --> 01:06:54,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: binding instrument that will regulate the activities of transnational communities 744 01:06:54,140 --> 01:06:57,420 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: corporations, and other business enterprises. 745 01:06:58,300 --> 01:07:07,260 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Ah, kumbaga kung napagkasunduan sa mga member states, may laban po tayo kung ang mga malalaking foreign companies 746 01:07:07,260 --> 01:07:18,660 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: na nasa bansa natin, katulad ng mga social media, mga mining, ay sundin ang ating batas para sa mga manggagawa o para sa 747 01:07:18,660 --> 01:07:20,640 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ating kalikasan. 748 01:07:20,640 --> 01:07:28,680 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Now, I was surprised to learn na wala po tayong formal representative mula sa Philippines 749 01:07:28,680 --> 01:07:31,280 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sa negosasyong ito last year. 750 01:07:31,280 --> 01:07:36,700 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: For this year po ba, magkakaroon ulit ng negotiation round? 751 01:07:37,100 --> 01:07:45,260 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: May plano po ba ang Philippines na mag-participate formally o magpapadala po ba kayo ng representatives? 752 01:07:46,880 --> 01:07:48,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. 753 01:07:48,500 --> 01:07:55,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Sir, can we have the full title, Your Honor, of this conference? 754 01:07:55,460 --> 01:07:56,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Yes, sir. 755 01:07:56,060 --> 01:08:08,840 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: The drafting of the legally binding instrument that will regulate the activities of transnational 756 01:08:08,840 --> 01:08:09,680 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: corporations. 757 01:08:11,380 --> 01:08:18,480 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Apparently, actually nandoon ako noon. I was there for nine days. 758 01:08:18,500 --> 01:08:25,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Nagkaroon ako ng chance na makausap naman yung ating member of state doon. 759 01:08:25,860 --> 01:08:33,760 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Apparently, wala ngang instruction as to kung mag-a-attend sila doon. 760 01:08:34,060 --> 01:08:36,380 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: So that's why na-surprise po ako. 761 01:08:36,840 --> 01:08:43,340 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: So gusto kong malaman kung this year po ba ay makakasama tayo. Knowing na alam po natin ang daming 762 01:08:43,340 --> 01:08:48,180 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: mining corporations, mga giant companies na nandito sa ating bansa. 763 01:08:48,500 --> 01:08:51,380 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: na ang gusto lang naman natin mangyari ay mapanagot 764 01:08:51,380 --> 01:08:53,860 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sila doon in the event na hindi sila 765 01:08:53,860 --> 01:08:54,860 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sumunod 766 01:08:54,860 --> 01:08:55,860 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sa ating batas 767 01:08:55,860 --> 01:08:56,860 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: o lumabag sila 768 01:08:56,860 --> 01:08:57,860 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sa ating batas. 769 01:08:57,860 --> 01:08:58,940 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Thank you, Your Honor. 770 01:08:58,940 --> 01:09:07,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And before I give this, the floor to my colleague who is in charge of this, the United Nations 771 01:09:07,440 --> 01:09:12,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: issues, because this is also under the UN purview, I just want to say that I have a 772 01:09:12,800 --> 01:09:14,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: question that I really want to ask you, Sir. 773 01:09:14,940 --> 01:09:15,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Yes, Sir. 774 01:09:15,940 --> 01:09:16,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Yes, Sir. 775 01:09:16,940 --> 01:09:17,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Go ahead. 776 01:09:17,980 --> 01:09:26,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: po kasing mga ibang mga meetings and conferences na tina-target din itong mga transnational issues 777 01:09:26,860 --> 01:09:33,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na to. Particularly the scams that are in the Southeast Asian region. Nag-uumpisa pa lang ho 778 01:09:33,300 --> 01:09:39,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: yung ibang mga conferences usually nangyayari po sa banda sa Thailand kasi doon sa kanila, 779 01:09:40,400 --> 01:09:46,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: doon sa borders nila. So yun ho mga mina-attendan namin with the other concerned government 780 01:09:46,780 --> 01:09:52,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: agencies. But sasagutin po namin yan. I just want to give it again to our Assistant Secretary 781 01:09:52,280 --> 01:09:56,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for UN and other agencies, other organizations. 782 01:09:56,400 --> 01:09:58,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: Thank you very much, Secretary, Your Honor. 783 01:09:59,300 --> 01:10:07,550 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: I think you were talking about the business and human rights, the business and human rights 784 01:10:07,550 --> 01:10:10,750 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: process currently ongoing in Geneva? Yes, that's right. 785 01:10:10,750 --> 01:10:15,210 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Sa Geneva po. Naka-11 session na po kasi tayo niya. 786 01:10:15,210 --> 01:10:17,870 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Okay po. Nung representatives po natin sa Geneva, 787 01:10:18,030 --> 01:10:26,930 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: it might be possible, ma'am, that you attended the sectoral pathway of that process, either the 788 01:10:26,930 --> 01:10:32,310 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: civil society or the private sector. Pero po yung government process po is being followed by our 789 01:10:32,310 --> 01:10:33,300 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: Geneva colleagues. 790 01:10:33,300 --> 01:10:39,300 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Okay. So may nag-attend, however, on a different session. 791 01:10:39,300 --> 01:10:39,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: Yes po. 792 01:10:39,950 --> 01:10:41,910 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: But on a sectoral 793 01:10:41,910 --> 01:10:45,200 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: session, wala pong from the Philippines. Tama? 794 01:10:45,200 --> 01:10:49,820 DFA Assistant Secretary Leila C. Lora-Santos: Well, may po kayo. Yes po. Not from the government. 795 01:10:49,820 --> 01:10:59,330 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: So in this case po, maaari ko po bang makuha ang ano po kaya yung malinaw na commitment ng DFA patungkol dito? 796 01:10:59,330 --> 01:11:11,630 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Magkakaroon po ba kayo ng representative for this year's convention sa Geneva? Actually, this coming October 9 to 14? Yes. 797 01:11:11,630 --> 01:11:17,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, thank you for that question. When it comes to conventions and international conferences, 798 01:11:18,030 --> 01:11:29,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: whether it's Geneva, New York, or Vienna, our Foreign Service Establishment is attending as well as other concerned government agencies. 799 01:11:29,030 --> 01:11:39,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I surmise that if this is a transnational crime, there will be law enforcement agencies here as well as the ICT because it involves technology. 800 01:11:39,030 --> 01:11:47,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But doon po sa question ninyo about really what you're focusing, I think, Your Honor, is the CSOs. So we will be coordinating now 801 01:11:47,870 --> 01:12:02,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: with our mission in Geneva and make sure that the relevant CSOs will be informed so that they can be represented, as their views are very important. 802 01:12:02,870 --> 01:12:17,710 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair, Madam Secretary. The Akbayan Reform Bloc po kasi has already filed House Resolution No. 902 urging the DFA to engage, 803 01:12:17,710 --> 01:12:28,710 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: kasi hindi po pwedeng papasok na lang ang mga foreign companies dito sa ating bansa. Kinakalbo ang ating mga bundok at binabarat ang ating mga manggagawa. 804 01:12:28,710 --> 01:12:38,710 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: I will personally engage ngayong taon in the discussion of this legally binding instrument in October. Kaya't hahanapin 805 01:12:38,710 --> 01:12:46,710 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ko po ulit ang DFA sa United Nations Working Group. Now I will move forward on a different question. 806 01:12:46,710 --> 01:12:56,550 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Dito po ay patungkol sa UN Security Council bid po natin. On June 3 of 2026, the Philippines lost its bid 807 01:12:57,110 --> 01:13:04,870 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: for a non-permanent seat on the un security council in this regard can the dfa explain 808 01:13:04,870 --> 01:13:12,230 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ano ang mga factors po kaya bakit naging unsuccessful tayo rito and how much po was 809 01:13:12,230 --> 01:13:18,390 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: appropriated and actually spent for the philippines campaign for a non-permanent 810 01:13:18,390 --> 01:13:21,300 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: seat on the un security council 811 01:13:21,300 --> 01:13:27,830 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um thank you your honor if a reason is being asked why do we failed 812 01:13:27,830 --> 01:13:34,230 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: in our bid the only answer and the the answer to that is the geopolitical issue 813 01:13:35,110 --> 01:13:42,070 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um i i can spell it um but i would prefer that it is uh in writing so i can tell you what but 814 01:13:42,070 --> 01:13:44,710 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it is geopolitical issues um 815 01:13:47,430 --> 01:13:55,270 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and uh where i give it again to my colleague um uh from the office of fiscal management please 816 01:13:55,270 --> 01:14:11,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: yes thank you uh your honor uh in 2025 and 2026 the amount total amount of 70 million pesos was 817 01:14:12,100 --> 01:14:16,820 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: appropriated for this purpose, yung ating UN Security Council campaign. 818 01:14:17,380 --> 01:14:24,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: And of that amount, 52.5 million was obligated for a utilization of 75 percent. 819 01:14:24,920 --> 01:14:30,800 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Tama po ba 2022 pa lang napondohan na po ito, up to the present? 820 01:14:30,800 --> 01:14:32,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: 2025 po. 821 01:14:32,360 --> 01:14:36,160 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: 2025 nagsimula. So nung 2022 wala pa. 822 01:14:37,160 --> 01:14:46,820 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Okay. Maraming salamat for that, Mr. Chair, Madam Secretary. I would like also to request that this committee 823 01:14:47,220 --> 01:14:59,820 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: direct the DFA to provide the expenditures by category, including diplomatic missions, travel, representation, promotional activities, and other campaign-related 824 01:14:59,820 --> 01:15:02,200 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: expenses on the Philippines bid 825 01:15:02,200 --> 01:15:04,060 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: for the non-permanent seat 826 01:15:04,060 --> 01:15:05,760 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: on the UNSC. 827 01:15:06,200 --> 01:15:08,000 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Sana po, Mr. Chair, 828 01:15:08,120 --> 01:15:09,660 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: makatanggap po tayo ng 829 01:15:09,660 --> 01:15:14,160 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: expenditure category na ito. 830 01:15:14,480 --> 01:15:16,320 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: At sana po yung representasyong 831 01:15:16,320 --> 01:15:18,260 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ito ay makatanggap din po ng copy 832 01:15:18,260 --> 01:15:20,120 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: of it. And finally po, 833 01:15:20,560 --> 01:15:22,220 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: what accountability 834 01:15:22,220 --> 01:15:24,260 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: po kaya in post-campaign 835 01:15:24,260 --> 01:15:25,920 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: assessment has the DFA 836 01:15:25,920 --> 01:15:28,360 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: undertaken given the public 837 01:15:28,360 --> 01:15:30,300 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: resources devoted to 838 01:15:30,300 --> 01:15:31,280 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: this campaign po? 839 01:15:38,850 --> 01:15:40,110 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. 840 01:15:40,250 --> 01:15:42,290 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: If the question is our assessment 841 01:15:42,290 --> 01:15:43,270 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of 842 01:15:43,270 --> 01:15:45,790 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this failed bid, 843 01:15:47,150 --> 01:15:48,570 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it's obviously 844 01:15:48,570 --> 01:15:50,130 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the 845 01:15:50,130 --> 01:15:52,590 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: geopolitical issues 846 01:15:52,590 --> 01:15:54,410 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: have become very increasingly 847 01:15:54,410 --> 01:15:56,590 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: determinant 848 01:15:56,590 --> 01:15:58,610 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of the presence 849 01:15:58,610 --> 01:16:00,750 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of the situation. And that's the reason 850 01:16:00,750 --> 01:16:01,190 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: why 851 01:16:01,190 --> 01:16:04,390 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as such nangyari 852 01:16:04,390 --> 01:16:06,490 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: po, despite, I can tell 853 01:16:06,490 --> 01:16:07,910 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: you, the Herculean task 854 01:16:07,910 --> 01:16:08,690 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of 855 01:16:08,690 --> 01:16:11,950 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: really campaigning 856 01:16:11,950 --> 01:16:13,450 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for this seat. 857 01:16:14,270 --> 01:16:15,690 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But unfortunately, 858 01:16:16,230 --> 01:16:18,350 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: there are many other forces 859 01:16:18,350 --> 01:16:19,990 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as I said, geopolitical issues. 860 01:16:20,010 --> 01:16:22,430 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: I definitely understand po, Mr. Chair. 861 01:16:22,590 --> 01:16:24,490 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: However, sana po 862 01:16:24,490 --> 01:16:26,510 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: maging accountable lang po sana tayo 863 01:16:26,510 --> 01:16:28,510 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: dun kasi taxpayers' money 864 01:16:28,510 --> 01:16:30,490 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: po yung ginamit natin para sa campaign 865 01:16:30,490 --> 01:16:32,750 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ito. But I will move forward 866 01:16:32,750 --> 01:16:34,230 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: for another 867 01:16:34,230 --> 01:16:36,230 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: topic po. Ito'y tungkol sa 868 01:16:36,230 --> 01:16:38,330 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Assistance to National Fund 869 01:16:38,330 --> 01:16:39,610 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Utilization. 870 01:16:40,590 --> 01:16:42,530 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Ang Assistance to National 871 01:16:42,530 --> 01:16:44,730 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Fund or ATN 872 01:16:44,730 --> 01:16:46,710 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ay nakalaan para tulungan 873 01:16:46,710 --> 01:16:47,690 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ang mga Filipino 874 01:16:47,690 --> 01:16:50,470 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: in distress abroad. Ano po 875 01:16:50,470 --> 01:16:52,470 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ang total appropriations 876 01:16:52,470 --> 01:16:54,510 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: na po natin para sa ATN 877 01:16:54,510 --> 01:16:56,470 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Fund from June of 878 01:16:56,470 --> 01:16:58,470 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: 2022 to June 879 01:16:58,470 --> 01:17:00,430 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: of 2026? Kahit yung 880 01:17:00,430 --> 01:17:01,550 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: sumatotal lang po. 881 01:17:06,360 --> 01:17:07,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Again, 882 01:17:07,080 --> 01:17:08,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: your honor, our 883 01:17:08,440 --> 01:17:11,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Fiscal Management Assistance Secretary. 884 01:17:24,130 --> 01:17:24,870 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: Yes, your honor. 885 01:17:25,290 --> 01:17:27,630 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: From 2022 to 2025 886 01:17:27,630 --> 01:17:29,310 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: for the Assistance 887 01:17:29,310 --> 01:17:30,530 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: to National Fund, 888 01:17:31,090 --> 01:17:32,790 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: 1 billion annually ang 889 01:17:32,790 --> 01:17:33,790 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: na-appropriate. 890 01:17:35,150 --> 01:17:37,130 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: So, 1 billion mula 891 01:17:37,130 --> 01:17:39,070 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: or per year? 892 01:17:39,270 --> 01:17:40,060 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: Per year. 893 01:17:40,060 --> 01:17:41,210 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Okay. Salamat po. 894 01:17:41,510 --> 01:17:43,050 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: For fiscal year po of 895 01:17:43,050 --> 01:17:45,030 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: 2026, ilan po ang 896 01:17:45,030 --> 01:17:47,630 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: total ng ATN 897 01:17:47,630 --> 01:17:49,150 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: requests na natanggap mula? 898 01:17:49,270 --> 01:17:51,250 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Sa post po. At ilan po dito 899 01:17:51,250 --> 01:17:53,410 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ang na-approve? Ilan din po 900 01:17:53,410 --> 01:17:55,570 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: yung na-deny o na-return 901 01:17:55,570 --> 01:17:57,310 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: o pending pa rin po? 902 01:17:58,670 --> 01:17:59,230 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Kahit 903 01:17:59,230 --> 01:18:01,070 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: figures lang po. Salamat po. 904 01:18:01,410 --> 01:18:03,610 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you again, your honor. I'll give it to our 905 01:18:03,610 --> 01:18:05,310 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Office of 906 01:18:05,310 --> 01:18:06,250 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Migrant Affairs. 907 01:18:08,150 --> 01:18:09,430 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Before we continue, 908 01:18:09,570 --> 01:18:11,190 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: may I recognize the 909 01:18:11,190 --> 01:18:13,290 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: presence of our 910 01:18:13,290 --> 01:18:15,410 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Vice Chairperson, 911 01:18:15,850 --> 01:18:17,190 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Representative Jose 912 01:18:17,190 --> 01:18:18,530 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Joboy Aquino II. 913 01:18:19,270 --> 01:18:21,430 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: And Deputy Minority Leader 914 01:18:21,430 --> 01:18:23,150 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Antonio Tini. Thank you. 915 01:18:23,230 --> 01:18:23,910 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: You may proceed. 916 01:18:25,030 --> 01:18:28,070 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, sir. 917 01:18:29,410 --> 01:18:30,230 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Can I just 918 01:18:30,230 --> 01:18:32,170 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: request clarification 919 01:18:32,170 --> 01:18:34,830 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: for the last question? Is that for 2026? 920 01:18:35,570 --> 01:18:36,390 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Yes po. 921 01:18:36,470 --> 01:18:38,450 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: For fiscal year of 2026, 922 01:18:38,630 --> 01:18:41,070 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: ilan po yung total requests na natanggap? 923 01:18:41,470 --> 01:18:42,630 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Mula doon sa total 924 01:18:42,630 --> 01:18:44,450 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: requests, ilan ang na-approve, 925 01:18:44,450 --> 01:18:46,070 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: na-deny, at 926 01:18:46,070 --> 01:18:47,930 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: pending and na-return? 927 01:18:49,310 --> 01:18:50,010 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, ma'am. 928 01:18:50,550 --> 01:18:52,870 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: For 2026, I have a list 929 01:18:52,870 --> 01:18:53,990 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: of beneficiaries. 930 01:18:55,050 --> 01:18:57,010 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And for repatriation, 931 01:18:57,170 --> 01:18:58,570 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: there were 387 932 01:18:58,570 --> 01:19:00,830 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: beneficiaries from January to 933 01:19:00,830 --> 01:19:02,650 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: July. For welfare assistance, 934 01:19:02,770 --> 01:19:05,070 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: 559. For medical assistance, 935 01:19:05,070 --> 01:19:07,390 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: 20. Shipment of remains, 936 01:19:07,810 --> 01:19:08,210 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: 40. 937 01:19:09,550 --> 01:19:11,110 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And that's a total 938 01:19:11,110 --> 01:19:13,070 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: of 2,884 939 01:19:13,070 --> 01:19:14,990 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: beneficiaries for the first 6 940 01:19:14,990 --> 01:19:17,130 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: months of the 941 01:19:17,130 --> 01:19:17,410 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: year. 942 01:19:18,470 --> 01:19:19,410 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Yes, ma'am. 943 01:19:20,550 --> 01:19:22,550 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: And I hope that we have 944 01:19:22,550 --> 01:19:23,950 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: really helped this year. 945 01:19:24,270 --> 01:19:25,590 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: And I hope that this will continue 946 01:19:25,590 --> 01:19:28,450 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: and would like to support 947 01:19:28,450 --> 01:19:30,610 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: that particular 948 01:19:30,610 --> 01:19:33,370 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: program. For the last 949 01:19:33,370 --> 01:19:34,950 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: question, Mr. Chair, 950 01:19:35,570 --> 01:19:37,210 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: what are the specific 951 01:19:37,210 --> 01:19:39,030 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: guidelines and criteria 952 01:19:39,030 --> 01:19:41,230 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: for approving or 953 01:19:41,230 --> 01:19:43,570 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: denying ATN fund 954 01:19:43,570 --> 01:19:45,250 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: requests, specifically 955 01:19:45,250 --> 01:19:47,510 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: who has the final 956 01:19:47,510 --> 01:19:48,650 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: approving authority? 957 01:19:48,650 --> 01:19:50,390 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Congressman Dada, kindly 958 01:19:50,390 --> 01:19:52,310 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: wrap up your five minutes. 959 01:19:52,970 --> 01:19:53,310 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you. 960 01:19:55,260 --> 01:19:56,280 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, ma'am. 961 01:19:58,140 --> 01:19:59,340 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: There's a department 962 01:19:59,340 --> 01:20:01,960 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: order that 963 01:20:01,960 --> 01:20:03,520 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: governs the 964 01:20:03,520 --> 01:20:05,980 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: guidelines for the ATN fund 965 01:20:05,980 --> 01:20:07,980 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: and also for the legal assistance fund 966 01:20:07,980 --> 01:20:10,060 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: in 2019. 967 01:20:11,460 --> 01:20:11,760 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And 968 01:20:11,760 --> 01:20:15,480 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: essentially, ma'am, 969 01:20:16,000 --> 01:20:17,460 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: for it's 970 01:20:17,460 --> 01:20:19,120 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: this office that 971 01:20:19,120 --> 01:20:21,600 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: drafts the recommendations for approval. 972 01:20:21,700 --> 01:20:25,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: For certain amounts below 20, 973 01:20:25,180 --> 01:20:27,940 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: it's this office and for more than that, 974 01:20:27,940 --> 01:20:30,700 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: it's the Honorable Secretary. 975 01:20:31,480 --> 01:20:33,740 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Yes, Mr. Chair, that was my last question. 976 01:20:33,740 --> 01:20:35,740 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: And just a quick manifestation, 977 01:20:35,740 --> 01:20:37,560 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: magre-request na lang po yung 978 01:20:37,560 --> 01:20:42,380 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: representasyong ito sa DFA 979 01:20:42,380 --> 01:20:45,320 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: to provide a copy of the guidelines 980 01:20:45,320 --> 01:20:47,500 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: on the use of the ATN fund po. 981 01:20:47,500 --> 01:20:48,900 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Yun lamang po, Mr. Chair. 982 01:20:48,900 --> 01:20:49,300 Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula: Maraming salamat. 983 01:20:49,300 --> 01:20:50,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Congressman Dada. 984 01:20:50,500 --> 01:20:51,320 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: May we have a question? 985 01:20:51,320 --> 01:20:54,080 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: May we request the Committee Secretary 986 01:20:54,080 --> 01:20:57,400 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: to kindly adjust the volume of the bell 987 01:20:57,400 --> 01:21:01,240 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: so that the interpolators will be reminded 988 01:21:01,240 --> 01:21:04,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of the remaining time that they have, 989 01:21:04,500 --> 01:21:07,700 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: especially yung 30-second bell po. 990 01:21:07,700 --> 01:21:09,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Now we proceed. 991 01:21:09,840 --> 01:21:13,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: We recognize Representative 992 01:21:13,840 --> 01:21:17,040 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Eulogio Rodriguez from the majority. 993 01:21:17,040 --> 01:21:19,180 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Sir, you're recognized. 994 01:21:19,180 --> 01:21:21,320 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. 995 01:21:21,320 --> 01:21:24,320 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat, 996 01:21:24,320 --> 01:21:27,320 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: lalong-lalo na po ang ating DFA family. 997 01:21:27,320 --> 01:21:30,320 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Diyos maray na hapon, tabi sa gabos. 998 01:21:30,320 --> 01:21:34,940 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair, napakahalaga po ng DFA services, 999 01:21:34,940 --> 01:21:37,440 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: particularly passport processing 1000 01:21:37,440 --> 01:21:39,440 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: and other consular transactions. 1001 01:21:39,440 --> 01:21:42,080 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Kaya mahalagang accessible po ito 1002 01:21:42,080 --> 01:21:44,080 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: sa ating mga kababayan. 1003 01:21:44,080 --> 01:21:46,680 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Pero hanggang ngayon, marami pa rin Pilipino, 1004 01:21:46,680 --> 01:21:48,780 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: especially those coming from the provinces 1005 01:21:48,780 --> 01:21:50,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: without a consular office, 1006 01:21:50,120 --> 01:21:54,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: and kailangan bumuyahi ng malayo at gumastos pa 1007 01:21:54,120 --> 01:21:59,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: just to access these basic government services. 1008 01:21:59,120 --> 01:22:03,900 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: May we ask the DFA, paano po ninyo sinisiguro 1009 01:22:03,900 --> 01:22:06,340 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na accessible ang inyong consular services 1010 01:22:06,340 --> 01:22:08,140 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: sa ating mga kababayan 1011 01:22:08,140 --> 01:22:12,140 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: sa pagtatayo ng consular office na kinikonsider po? 1012 01:22:12,140 --> 01:22:15,640 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Kinikonsider po ba ng DFA ang distance, 1013 01:22:15,640 --> 01:22:20,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: geographic isolation, travel cost, at overall access... 1014 01:22:20,120 --> 01:22:24,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: accessibility ng inyong services to the people? 1015 01:22:24,120 --> 01:22:28,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Ano po ba ang plano natin sa mga underserved provinces, 1016 01:22:28,120 --> 01:22:32,490 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair? 1017 01:22:32,490 --> 01:22:34,510 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Salamat po, Your Honor. 1018 01:22:34,510 --> 01:22:36,510 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I refer this question to our Assistant Secretary 1019 01:22:36,510 --> 01:22:40,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for Consular Affairs. 1020 01:22:40,140 --> 01:22:42,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Good afternoon, Your Honors. 1021 01:22:42,140 --> 01:22:47,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Good afternoon, Honorable Congressman Leo Rodriguez. 1022 01:22:47,140 --> 01:22:50,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: First of all, I would like to take this opportunity, 1023 01:22:50,140 --> 01:22:52,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: with the permission of the Secretary, 1024 01:22:52,140 --> 01:22:55,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: to convey the Department's appreciation 1025 01:22:55,140 --> 01:22:59,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: for the members of the House of Representatives 1026 01:22:59,140 --> 01:23:02,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: for their continued interest and efforts 1027 01:23:02,140 --> 01:23:05,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: to assist in bringing consular services 1028 01:23:05,140 --> 01:23:08,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: nearer to the Filipino people 1029 01:23:08,140 --> 01:23:10,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: through their assistance and support 1030 01:23:10,140 --> 01:23:14,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: to the consular services being extended by the Department. 1031 01:23:14,140 --> 01:23:19,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Now that there are a total of 42 consular offices 1032 01:23:19,140 --> 01:23:21,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: across the country, 1033 01:23:21,140 --> 01:23:25,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: the Department is undertaking a thorough evaluation 1034 01:23:25,140 --> 01:23:31,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: of the operations of these 42 existing consular offices 1035 01:23:31,140 --> 01:23:35,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: to streamline and align its organizational structure 1036 01:23:35,140 --> 01:23:39,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: with the government's public sector optimization program. 1037 01:23:39,140 --> 01:23:42,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: At the same time, the Department is undertaking 1038 01:23:42,140 --> 01:23:45,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: a nationwide assessment, 1039 01:23:45,140 --> 01:23:50,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: taking into consideration the demand for consular services 1040 01:23:50,140 --> 01:23:53,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: of that specific region or locality, 1041 01:23:53,140 --> 01:24:00,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: accessibility, as rightly pointed out by Congressman Rodriguez, 1042 01:24:00,140 --> 01:24:05,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: including proximity to existing consular offices 1043 01:24:05,140 --> 01:24:07,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: that are in the region, 1044 01:24:07,140 --> 01:24:11,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: operational viability, fiscal sustainability, 1045 01:24:11,140 --> 01:24:15,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: and the optimal distribution of consular offices 1046 01:24:15,140 --> 01:24:17,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: throughout the country. 1047 01:24:17,140 --> 01:24:20,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: We also note the Department of Budgeting 1048 01:24:20,140 --> 01:24:23,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: and Management's recent comments 1049 01:24:23,140 --> 01:24:26,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: conveyed to the DFA wherein they raised 1050 01:24:26,140 --> 01:24:32,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: the proximity of the existence of consular offices 1051 01:24:32,140 --> 01:24:36,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: and how the possible opening of new consular offices 1052 01:24:36,140 --> 01:24:42,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: could affect the production of the existing consular offices 1053 01:24:42,140 --> 01:24:44,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: in the area. 1054 01:24:44,140 --> 01:24:47,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: I wish to note that in our recent engagement 1055 01:24:47,140 --> 01:24:49,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: with Congressman Rodriguez, 1056 01:24:49,140 --> 01:24:55,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: he raised the possibility of the Department 1057 01:24:55,140 --> 01:25:00,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: considering a satellite office in Catanduanes 1058 01:25:00,140 --> 01:25:07,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: which would be smaller and leaner than a consular office. 1059 01:25:07,140 --> 01:25:12,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: We note that currently the opening of consular offices 1060 01:25:12,140 --> 01:25:15,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: is governed by Executive Order 45 1061 01:25:15,140 --> 01:25:18,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: which sets the criteria for the opening 1062 01:25:18,140 --> 01:25:20,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: of the consular offices, 1063 01:25:20,140 --> 01:25:22,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: the population, 1064 01:25:22,140 --> 01:25:25,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: the projected production output, 1065 01:25:25,140 --> 01:25:28,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: and the projected income or revenue. 1066 01:25:28,140 --> 01:25:35,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: And this governs the opening of a full-fledged consular office. 1067 01:25:35,140 --> 01:25:38,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: So at the moment we don't have an existing 1068 01:25:38,140 --> 01:25:42,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: smaller satellite office model. 1069 01:25:42,140 --> 01:25:46,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: So the Department is seriously studying 1070 01:25:46,140 --> 01:25:49,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: the viability of this option 1071 01:25:49,140 --> 01:25:54,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: because it would need a certain set of criteria and guidelines. 1072 01:25:54,140 --> 01:25:57,620 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Thank you, Your Honor. 1073 01:25:57,620 --> 01:25:59,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Yes, Mr. Chair. 1074 01:25:59,620 --> 01:26:01,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: O kasi, Mr. Chair, alam mo sa ngayon po 1075 01:26:01,620 --> 01:26:06,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kasi itong pinatayo natin na 1076 01:26:06,620 --> 01:26:10,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: noong 19th Congress ko pa itong tinutulak na magkaroon po kami ng Catanduanes 1077 01:26:10,620 --> 01:26:15,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: People's Center na maging one-stop shop 1078 01:26:15,620 --> 01:26:20,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ng government services na sa mainland Bicol pa po kinukuha 1079 01:26:20,620 --> 01:26:22,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: namin ang mga dokumento, which island po 1080 01:26:22,620 --> 01:26:25,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kami. Sabi ko nga, matagal na kaming 1081 01:26:25,620 --> 01:26:26,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: probinsya, Catanduanes, 1082 01:26:26,620 --> 01:26:29,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: so parang nasa anino pa rin kami ng Albay. 1083 01:26:29,620 --> 01:26:33,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Noong 19th Congress ko pa po itong itinutulak 1084 01:26:33,620 --> 01:26:37,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na mapondohan itong 1085 01:26:37,620 --> 01:26:39,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: establisimyento na ito. So ngayon po tapos na ito. 1086 01:26:39,620 --> 01:26:43,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Marami na rin pong 1087 01:26:43,620 --> 01:26:45,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: willing na mag-opisina doon, gaya ng PRC, 1088 01:26:45,620 --> 01:26:47,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung [unclear], 1089 01:26:47,620 --> 01:26:49,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung DMW. 1090 01:26:49,620 --> 01:26:50,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So sabi ko nga, 1091 01:26:50,620 --> 01:26:53,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pinakaimportante sa amin yung DFA, 1092 01:26:53,620 --> 01:26:56,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kasi alam ninyo naman po 1093 01:26:56,620 --> 01:26:57,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na sabi ko nga, 1094 01:26:57,620 --> 01:26:58,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pag nangangailangan kami, 1095 01:26:58,620 --> 01:27:01,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pag medyo masama ang panahon, 1096 01:27:01,620 --> 01:27:04,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: eh nai-isolate kami. 1097 01:27:04,620 --> 01:27:06,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So kung mayroon na po nito doon, 1098 01:27:06,620 --> 01:27:09,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: hindi na po mahihirapan 1099 01:27:09,620 --> 01:27:11,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang aming mga kababayan. So ito ang tinutulak ko, 1100 01:27:11,620 --> 01:27:12,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair, 1101 01:27:12,620 --> 01:27:14,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Madam Secretary, 1102 01:27:14,620 --> 01:27:17,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kung paano ninyo po kami matutulungan 1103 01:27:17,620 --> 01:27:20,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: dahil yung establisimyento po nandoon na, 1104 01:27:20,620 --> 01:27:25,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na-inspeksyon na rin ito dati 1105 01:27:25,620 --> 01:27:28,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: noong mga taga-DFA, medyo okay naman sa kanila. 1106 01:27:28,620 --> 01:27:37,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So hindi naman siguro kami [unclear] sa bagong establisimyento 1107 01:27:37,620 --> 01:27:40,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: dahil well-equipped po iyon. 1108 01:27:40,620 --> 01:27:41,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So actually, 1109 01:27:41,620 --> 01:27:43,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: mayroon na ngayon kaming signing 1110 01:27:43,620 --> 01:27:49,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: para po kasi under po ito sa lupa ng Catanduanes State University, 1111 01:27:49,620 --> 01:27:55,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kasi doon lang po kami may puwedeng makuhang 1112 01:27:55,620 --> 01:27:56,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: lupa para makapagtayo ng building na ito. 1113 01:27:56,620 --> 01:27:58,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Kaya siyempre silang 1114 01:27:58,620 --> 01:28:02,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang [unclear] kung sino man po ang mag- 1115 01:28:02,620 --> 01:28:04,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: o-office doon. Kaya ito po, 1116 01:28:04,620 --> 01:28:07,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: gusto ko pong medyo 1117 01:28:07,620 --> 01:28:08,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: mag-cooperate na tayo. Sana po, 1118 01:28:08,620 --> 01:28:09,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair, 1119 01:28:09,620 --> 01:28:10,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Madam Secretary, 1120 01:28:10,620 --> 01:28:12,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: matulungan ninyo po kami 1121 01:28:12,620 --> 01:28:14,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: para naman po accessible sa amin 1122 01:28:14,620 --> 01:28:16,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang serbisyo 1123 01:28:16,620 --> 01:28:18,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ng gobyerno po 1124 01:28:18,620 --> 01:28:20,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: sa isla ng Catanduanes. 1125 01:28:20,620 --> 01:28:21,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, 1126 01:28:21,620 --> 01:28:23,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: naiintindihan po namin 1127 01:28:23,620 --> 01:28:27,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang pangangailangan ng inyong mga 1128 01:28:27,620 --> 01:28:30,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: kababayan sa inyong area of jurisdiction. 1129 01:28:30,620 --> 01:28:31,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: However, 1130 01:28:31,620 --> 01:28:33,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang gagawin po namin, 1131 01:28:33,620 --> 01:28:36,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: based on the information that we received, 1132 01:28:36,620 --> 01:28:38,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nakalagay po ang inyong lugar 1133 01:28:38,620 --> 01:28:41,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: under consideration. 1134 01:28:41,620 --> 01:28:45,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Dahil may Executive Order 45, 1135 01:28:45,620 --> 01:28:47,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: may certain guidelines 1136 01:28:47,620 --> 01:28:51,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na dadaanan po ito. Ang final say is the Department 1137 01:28:51,620 --> 01:28:55,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of Budget and Management, kasi doon nila 1138 01:28:55,620 --> 01:28:59,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ia-assess kung ito ba ay ayon sa 1139 01:28:59,620 --> 01:29:01,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: mga guidelines po na nararapat. So in the meantime, 1140 01:29:01,620 --> 01:29:02,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, 1141 01:29:02,620 --> 01:29:05,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: siguro ang mare-recommend po namin sa inyo ay, 1142 01:29:05,620 --> 01:29:08,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pending the decision of 1143 01:29:08,620 --> 01:29:09,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the DBM, 1144 01:29:09,620 --> 01:29:11,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang gusto po naming gawin ay 1145 01:29:11,620 --> 01:29:16,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: i-propose ang Passport on Wheels. 1146 01:29:16,620 --> 01:29:17,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So itong 1147 01:29:17,620 --> 01:29:19,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which means, 1148 01:29:19,620 --> 01:29:20,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it will be, 1149 01:29:20,620 --> 01:29:22,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it's a mobile passport system, 1150 01:29:22,620 --> 01:29:24,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: dadating po sa inyong lugar 1151 01:29:24,620 --> 01:29:26,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pag-usapan po natin 1152 01:29:26,620 --> 01:29:27,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: on a certain date, 1153 01:29:27,620 --> 01:29:28,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: on a certain time. 1154 01:29:28,620 --> 01:29:29,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: We're willing to do that 1155 01:29:29,620 --> 01:29:30,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: just as, 1156 01:29:30,620 --> 01:29:32,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: habang hinihintay po natin 1157 01:29:32,620 --> 01:29:34,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang final decision ng DBM. 1158 01:29:34,620 --> 01:29:35,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: If that is okay with you, 1159 01:29:35,620 --> 01:29:36,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor. 1160 01:29:36,620 --> 01:29:37,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Eh kasi 1161 01:29:37,620 --> 01:29:38,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: medyo marami pong 1162 01:29:38,620 --> 01:29:39,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: naiinggit doon sa building 1163 01:29:39,620 --> 01:29:40,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na mga 1164 01:29:40,620 --> 01:29:41,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: government agencies 1165 01:29:41,620 --> 01:29:43,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: na gusto ring kunin. 1166 01:29:43,620 --> 01:29:44,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So 1167 01:29:44,620 --> 01:29:45,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Sabi ko nga, kayo nga 1168 01:29:45,620 --> 01:29:46,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang priority ko. 1169 01:29:46,620 --> 01:29:47,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Simula nung 1170 01:29:47,620 --> 01:29:48,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pinapunduhan 1171 01:29:48,620 --> 01:29:49,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ko 1172 01:29:49,620 --> 01:29:50,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ito, 1173 01:29:50,620 --> 01:29:51,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: nasabi ko, 1174 01:29:51,620 --> 01:29:52,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: magkaroon 1175 01:29:52,620 --> 01:29:53,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: man lang doon yung 1176 01:29:53,620 --> 01:29:54,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: DFA 1177 01:29:54,620 --> 01:29:55,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: at saka 1178 01:29:55,620 --> 01:29:56,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung PRC. 1179 01:29:56,620 --> 01:29:57,620 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Kasi yung PRC po, 1180 01:29:57,620 --> 01:29:58,840 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: tumatawid 1181 01:29:58,840 --> 01:29:59,380 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pa po yung mga 1182 01:29:59,380 --> 01:30:00,520 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: teacher 1183 01:30:00,520 --> 01:30:02,200 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: namin pag mag-renewal license, 1184 01:30:02,220 --> 01:30:04,060 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung mga bagong pasa sa 1185 01:30:04,060 --> 01:30:06,640 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: education, tatawid 1186 01:30:06,640 --> 01:30:08,300 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pa doon para kumuha ng exam. 1187 01:30:08,780 --> 01:30:09,780 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Ang problema po, 1188 01:30:10,520 --> 01:30:12,540 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pag wala pong pera 1189 01:30:12,540 --> 01:30:14,140 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kasi pag tumawid ka doon, dapat 1190 01:30:14,140 --> 01:30:16,640 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: may 5,000 ka pataas. 1191 01:30:17,640 --> 01:30:18,540 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So, kaya po 1192 01:30:18,540 --> 01:30:20,300 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: talagang ginawa natin 1193 01:30:20,300 --> 01:30:22,280 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang paraan na kumaari 1194 01:30:22,280 --> 01:30:23,980 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: hindi na po sila umalis ng isla. 1195 01:30:24,700 --> 01:30:26,420 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Ilapit natin ang servisyo 1196 01:30:26,420 --> 01:30:28,180 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ng gobyerno sa ating 1197 01:30:28,180 --> 01:30:30,140 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: mga mamamayan. Kaya yan po 1198 01:30:30,140 --> 01:30:32,320 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair, Madam Secretary, 1199 01:30:33,200 --> 01:30:34,600 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung po aking pakiusap, 1200 01:30:34,760 --> 01:30:36,220 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: alam ko naman, sabi nga 1201 01:30:36,220 --> 01:30:38,060 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: mayroon naman pwedeng maging satellite 1202 01:30:38,060 --> 01:30:40,040 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: topis muna, habang medyo 1203 01:30:40,040 --> 01:30:42,540 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: pinag-aaralan pa 1204 01:30:42,540 --> 01:30:44,360 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: natin, at least 1205 01:30:44,360 --> 01:30:46,460 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: man lang, mayroon tatanggap doon 1206 01:30:46,460 --> 01:30:48,840 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: kung magpaparinyo man, magpapasport 1207 01:30:48,840 --> 01:30:50,360 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: man, lalo na po 1208 01:30:50,360 --> 01:30:51,460 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung ating mga... 1209 01:30:51,460 --> 01:30:53,740 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Congressman Leo, please wrap up. You have 30 seconds. 1210 01:30:54,140 --> 01:30:56,020 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Yes, ito lang, last 1211 01:30:56,020 --> 01:30:57,980 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: tanong lang naman ito. So, yan lang 1212 01:30:57,980 --> 01:31:00,100 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: naman po ang aking, baka sabi ko 1213 01:31:00,100 --> 01:31:01,840 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang ating butihing sekretary, 1214 01:31:02,520 --> 01:31:04,040 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Mr. Chair, na 1215 01:31:04,040 --> 01:31:05,980 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: medyo makapag-commitman lang, kasi 1216 01:31:05,980 --> 01:31:08,100 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: para naman na medyo 1217 01:31:08,100 --> 01:31:10,200 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: matuwa naman po 1218 01:31:10,200 --> 01:31:11,420 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: ang aking mga kababayan. 1219 01:31:12,460 --> 01:31:14,080 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Yes. 1220 01:31:14,200 --> 01:31:14,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Kong Leo. 1221 01:31:16,500 --> 01:31:17,560 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Madam Secretary, 1222 01:31:18,000 --> 01:31:19,520 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: maybe we can 1223 01:31:19,520 --> 01:31:21,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: ask 1224 01:31:21,260 --> 01:31:23,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: your department 1225 01:31:23,760 --> 01:31:24,920 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: to give 1226 01:31:24,920 --> 01:31:27,400 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Kong Leo's office, 1227 01:31:27,980 --> 01:31:28,520 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the 1228 01:31:28,520 --> 01:31:30,960 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: written update 1229 01:31:30,960 --> 01:31:33,060 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of his request, especially 1230 01:31:33,060 --> 01:31:35,120 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: that he has already prepared 1231 01:31:35,120 --> 01:31:37,100 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: a building for 1232 01:31:37,100 --> 01:31:38,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: your office. 1233 01:31:39,980 --> 01:31:41,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Naintindihan po natin 1234 01:31:41,340 --> 01:31:42,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: hindi ganun kadali 1235 01:31:42,720 --> 01:31:44,540 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: maghanap ng pondo para 1236 01:31:44,540 --> 01:31:46,560 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: makapagpatayo ng mga 1237 01:31:46,560 --> 01:31:48,640 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: infrastruktura. 1238 01:31:49,360 --> 01:31:49,600 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: So, 1239 01:31:50,100 --> 01:31:53,180 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: baka kaya po natin mabigyan 1240 01:31:53,180 --> 01:31:54,780 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: ng special accommodation, 1241 01:31:55,620 --> 01:31:57,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: special treatment si Kong Leo 1242 01:31:57,260 --> 01:31:58,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: considering that he already has 1243 01:31:58,720 --> 01:32:01,140 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: a building waiting for your personnel 1244 01:32:01,140 --> 01:32:03,420 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: to occupy. 1245 01:32:03,660 --> 01:32:05,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: And baka mabigyan din po natin siya 1246 01:32:05,760 --> 01:32:07,360 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: ng yung opisina niya 1247 01:32:07,360 --> 01:32:10,140 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: ng written status update po. 1248 01:32:10,540 --> 01:32:12,000 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: And we hope that there will be 1249 01:32:12,000 --> 01:32:13,540 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: a close coordination 1250 01:32:13,540 --> 01:32:15,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: with the agency. 1251 01:32:16,500 --> 01:32:18,000 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: We fully support 1252 01:32:18,000 --> 01:32:20,240 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: and we understand yung mga hinanain 1253 01:32:20,240 --> 01:32:21,520 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: ni Kong Leo. 1254 01:32:21,720 --> 01:32:23,480 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: So, may we 1255 01:32:23,480 --> 01:32:26,060 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: get the response po 1256 01:32:26,060 --> 01:32:27,240 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of the good secretary. 1257 01:32:27,260 --> 01:32:27,800 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you. 1258 01:32:28,260 --> 01:32:29,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Mr. Chair. 1259 01:32:29,980 --> 01:32:33,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Gagawin po namin ang lahat na magagawa namin 1260 01:32:33,040 --> 01:32:35,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na nakikita po naman namin 1261 01:32:35,420 --> 01:32:36,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: yung mga 1262 01:32:36,780 --> 01:32:39,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particularities 1263 01:32:39,180 --> 01:32:41,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nitong lugar po ninyo, 1264 01:32:41,760 --> 01:32:42,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor. 1265 01:32:42,580 --> 01:32:44,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, first of all, we'll give you a status 1266 01:32:44,820 --> 01:32:47,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and perhaps talk to DBM 1267 01:32:47,180 --> 01:32:49,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: also for serious 1268 01:32:49,100 --> 01:32:50,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: consideration. Salamat po. 1269 01:32:51,060 --> 01:32:52,960 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: So, Mr. Chair, Madam 1270 01:32:52,960 --> 01:32:55,120 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Secretary, i-re-reserve ko muna 1271 01:32:55,120 --> 01:32:56,800 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: yung slot nyo doon. 1272 01:32:57,260 --> 01:32:58,260 Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. 1273 01:33:00,260 --> 01:33:02,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Kong Leo. 1274 01:33:02,260 --> 01:33:04,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Madam Secretary. 1275 01:33:04,260 --> 01:33:06,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: We may now recognize 1276 01:33:06,260 --> 01:33:08,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the Honorable 1277 01:33:08,260 --> 01:33:10,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Congressman from the Minority 1278 01:33:10,260 --> 01:33:12,260 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Representative Renee Co. 1279 01:33:12,260 --> 01:33:17,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon 1280 01:33:17,720 --> 01:33:19,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: to the Department of Foreign Affairs. 1281 01:33:19,720 --> 01:33:21,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: My first 1282 01:33:21,720 --> 01:33:23,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: question is in relation 1283 01:33:23,720 --> 01:33:25,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: to the Critical Minerals 1284 01:33:25,720 --> 01:33:27,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Agreement. This was signed 1285 01:33:27,720 --> 01:33:29,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: by the United States and the 1286 01:33:29,720 --> 01:33:31,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Philippines last 1287 01:33:31,720 --> 01:33:34,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: February 6, 2026. 1288 01:33:34,720 --> 01:33:37,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: And subsequently, 1289 01:33:37,720 --> 01:33:39,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: this month in particular, 1290 01:33:39,720 --> 01:33:41,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: the 1291 01:33:41,720 --> 01:33:43,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Malacanang 1292 01:33:43,720 --> 01:33:45,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: issued Executive Order 1293 01:33:45,720 --> 01:33:47,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Number 122 1294 01:33:47,720 --> 01:33:49,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: that establishes the Philippine 1295 01:33:49,720 --> 01:33:51,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: National Policy Framework for Developing the 1296 01:33:51,720 --> 01:33:53,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Critical Minerals Industry. 1297 01:33:53,720 --> 01:33:55,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So, it provides a strategic 1298 01:33:55,720 --> 01:33:57,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: direction for developing the critical 1299 01:33:57,720 --> 01:33:58,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: minerals industry in the country. 1300 01:33:58,720 --> 01:34:00,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: In the country now. 1301 01:34:00,720 --> 01:34:02,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Right now, the Critical 1302 01:34:02,720 --> 01:34:04,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Minerals Agreement or 1303 01:34:04,720 --> 01:34:06,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: the MOU entered by the 1304 01:34:06,720 --> 01:34:08,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Philippines and the U.S. 1305 01:34:08,720 --> 01:34:10,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: is not publicly available. 1306 01:34:10,720 --> 01:34:12,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Hindi po alam kung anong 1307 01:34:12,720 --> 01:34:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: laman neto, pero 1308 01:34:14,720 --> 01:34:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: ang nasa laman po ng 1309 01:34:16,720 --> 01:34:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: article na nirelease po ng 1310 01:34:18,720 --> 01:34:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: U.S. Embassy of the Philippines 1311 01:34:20,720 --> 01:34:22,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: ay this is 1312 01:34:22,720 --> 01:34:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: to create a 1313 01:34:24,720 --> 01:34:26,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: stable and resilient 1314 01:34:26,720 --> 01:34:28,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: supply and a value chain 1315 01:34:28,720 --> 01:34:30,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: in critical minerals and rare earths 1316 01:34:30,720 --> 01:34:32,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: in both countries. 1317 01:34:32,720 --> 01:34:34,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: And it is reported 1318 01:34:34,720 --> 01:34:36,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: that the U.S. has signed 10 1319 01:34:36,720 --> 01:34:38,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: other critical mineral frameworks 1320 01:34:38,720 --> 01:34:40,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: or MOUs 1321 01:34:40,720 --> 01:34:42,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: in the past 5 months 1322 01:34:42,720 --> 01:34:44,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: since February. So, there's been 1323 01:34:44,720 --> 01:34:46,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: 11 countries, kasama yung 1324 01:34:46,720 --> 01:34:48,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: sa atin, kasama po yung Argentina, 1325 01:34:48,720 --> 01:34:50,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Ecuador, Paraguay, 1326 01:34:50,720 --> 01:34:52,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Uzbekistan, etc. 1327 01:34:52,720 --> 01:34:54,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So, my question 1328 01:34:54,720 --> 01:34:56,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Mr. Chair is, can the 1329 01:34:56,720 --> 01:34:58,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: UFA submit a copy 1330 01:34:58,720 --> 01:35:00,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: of the Critical Minerals Agreement 1331 01:35:00,720 --> 01:35:02,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: or the MOU to this 1332 01:35:02,720 --> 01:35:04,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: committee para po 1333 01:35:04,720 --> 01:35:06,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: ma-assess kung ano pong 1334 01:35:06,720 --> 01:35:08,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: pinapasok natin 1335 01:35:08,720 --> 01:35:10,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: beyond yung sa pag-establish 1336 01:35:10,720 --> 01:35:12,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: simply ng framework sa Philippines? 1337 01:35:12,720 --> 01:35:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: How does this connect 1338 01:35:14,720 --> 01:35:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: to the 1339 01:35:16,720 --> 01:35:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: simultaneous movement 1340 01:35:18,720 --> 01:35:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: of the United States and 10 other 1341 01:35:20,720 --> 01:35:22,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: countries with relation to 1342 01:35:22,720 --> 01:35:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: the critical minerals 1343 01:35:24,720 --> 01:35:26,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: supply? Yun po, 1344 01:35:26,720 --> 01:35:28,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Madam, Mr. Chair. 1345 01:35:28,720 --> 01:35:30,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. 1346 01:35:30,720 --> 01:35:32,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: This agreement was signed 1347 01:35:32,720 --> 01:35:34,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: by DNR, 1348 01:35:34,720 --> 01:35:36,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particularly Secretary Popo 1349 01:35:36,720 --> 01:35:38,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Lotilla when he was the DENR 1350 01:35:38,720 --> 01:35:40,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Secretary. However, 1351 01:35:40,720 --> 01:35:42,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this particular 1352 01:35:42,720 --> 01:35:44,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: agreement, the agencies 1353 01:35:44,720 --> 01:35:46,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that are involved here 1354 01:35:46,720 --> 01:35:48,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: are DTI and BOI. 1355 01:35:48,720 --> 01:35:50,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, 1356 01:35:50,720 --> 01:35:52,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I don't think 1357 01:35:52,720 --> 01:35:54,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we have any access. 1358 01:35:54,720 --> 01:35:56,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Plainly speaking, we don't have any 1359 01:35:56,720 --> 01:35:58,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: access to this agreement 1360 01:35:58,720 --> 01:36:00,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as this is by 1361 01:36:00,720 --> 01:36:02,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: another agency. 1362 01:36:04,720 --> 01:36:06,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Ordinarily, 1363 01:36:06,720 --> 01:36:08,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: agreements, MOUs 1364 01:36:08,720 --> 01:36:10,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pass through us but with this particular 1365 01:36:10,720 --> 01:36:12,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: one, I think there was 1366 01:36:12,720 --> 01:36:14,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: a certain element of urgency 1367 01:36:14,720 --> 01:36:16,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at that time. So, 1368 01:36:16,720 --> 01:36:18,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we can only request 1369 01:36:18,720 --> 01:36:20,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: DNR 1370 01:36:20,720 --> 01:36:22,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to give us a copy of this 1371 01:36:22,720 --> 01:36:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: agreement. 1372 01:36:24,720 --> 01:36:26,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Urgency? Tama po ba, Mr. Chair? 1373 01:36:26,720 --> 01:36:28,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Urgency during that time? 1374 01:36:28,720 --> 01:36:30,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Well, I just surmise, Your Honor. 1375 01:36:30,720 --> 01:36:32,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I'm trying 1376 01:36:32,720 --> 01:36:34,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to recall the incidents 1377 01:36:34,720 --> 01:36:36,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at the situation at that time 1378 01:36:36,720 --> 01:36:38,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but there's really no involvement 1379 01:36:38,720 --> 01:36:40,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of the DFA on this 1380 01:36:40,720 --> 01:36:42,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particular agreement since critical 1381 01:36:42,720 --> 01:36:44,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: minerals is 1382 01:36:44,720 --> 01:36:46,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: even now, the Pax Silica was signed also 1383 01:36:46,720 --> 01:36:48,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: by DTI. 1384 01:36:48,720 --> 01:36:50,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: But, Mr. Chair, has the DFA 1385 01:36:50,720 --> 01:36:52,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: reviewed the agreement? 1386 01:36:52,720 --> 01:36:54,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Were they part of maybe 1387 01:36:54,720 --> 01:36:56,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: discussions ensuring 1388 01:36:56,720 --> 01:36:58,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: the consistency of language 1389 01:36:58,720 --> 01:37:00,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: bago po ito pumasa? 1390 01:37:00,720 --> 01:37:02,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: I assume dahil this is a bilateral 1391 01:37:02,720 --> 01:37:04,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: agreement and prior 1392 01:37:04,720 --> 01:37:06,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: to the entering of this agreement, 1393 01:37:06,720 --> 01:37:08,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: there were subsequent bilateral agreements 1394 01:37:08,720 --> 01:37:10,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: of the US on the 1395 01:37:10,720 --> 01:37:12,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: same subject matter na 1396 01:37:12,720 --> 01:37:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: could affect essentially the relations 1397 01:37:14,720 --> 01:37:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: or whether that be economic 1398 01:37:16,720 --> 01:37:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: or trade or political 1399 01:37:18,720 --> 01:37:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: na may effect 1400 01:37:20,720 --> 01:37:22,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: po sa Pilipinas. So, has the DFA 1401 01:37:22,720 --> 01:37:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: reviewed this? 1402 01:37:24,720 --> 01:37:26,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, I 1403 01:37:26,720 --> 01:37:28,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: would like to refer this, your question 1404 01:37:28,720 --> 01:37:30,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to my Undersecretary for Policy. 1405 01:37:30,720 --> 01:37:32,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you. 1406 01:37:32,720 --> 01:37:34,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: Thank you. 1407 01:37:34,720 --> 01:37:36,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: Thank you, Madam Secretary. 1408 01:37:36,720 --> 01:37:38,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: Your Honor, our 1409 01:37:38,720 --> 01:37:40,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: recollection on the circumstances 1410 01:37:40,720 --> 01:37:42,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: on the signing of that 1411 01:37:42,720 --> 01:37:44,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: agreement is that the 1412 01:37:44,720 --> 01:37:46,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: request for 1413 01:37:46,720 --> 01:37:48,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: signing authority 1414 01:37:48,720 --> 01:37:50,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: was course through DFA and 1415 01:37:50,720 --> 01:37:52,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: DNR 1416 01:37:52,720 --> 01:37:54,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: issued the 1417 01:37:54,720 --> 01:37:56,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: national 1418 01:37:56,720 --> 01:37:58,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: importance statement 1419 01:37:58,720 --> 01:38:00,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: on why it should be signed 1420 01:38:00,720 --> 01:38:02,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: but it was all the determination 1421 01:38:02,720 --> 01:38:04,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: of DNR 1422 01:38:04,720 --> 01:38:06,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: at that time and 1423 01:38:06,720 --> 01:38:08,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: during that period there was 1424 01:38:08,720 --> 01:38:10,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: a critical minerals 1425 01:38:10,720 --> 01:38:12,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: summit ongoing 1426 01:38:12,720 --> 01:38:14,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in Washington 1427 01:38:14,720 --> 01:38:16,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: D.C. and 1428 01:38:16,720 --> 01:38:18,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in attendance were 1429 01:38:18,720 --> 01:38:20,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: DNR Secretary 1430 01:38:20,720 --> 01:38:22,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and the Undersecretary of DTI 1431 01:38:22,720 --> 01:38:24,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and we 1432 01:38:24,720 --> 01:38:26,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: go by the determination of the relevant 1433 01:38:26,720 --> 01:38:28,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: agency that this 1434 01:38:28,720 --> 01:38:30,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: agreement will be 1435 01:38:30,720 --> 01:38:32,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: valuable for the Philippines 1436 01:38:32,720 --> 01:38:34,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in terms of technological know-how 1437 01:38:34,720 --> 01:38:36,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and also participation 1438 01:38:36,720 --> 01:38:38,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in future 1439 01:38:38,720 --> 01:38:40,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: development of 1440 01:38:40,720 --> 01:38:42,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: processing of critical 1441 01:38:42,720 --> 01:38:44,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: minerals. But in 1442 01:38:44,720 --> 01:38:46,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: terms of actual execution 1443 01:38:46,720 --> 01:38:48,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: of the agreement, we 1444 01:38:48,720 --> 01:38:50,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: haven't reached that stage yet. 1445 01:38:50,720 --> 01:38:52,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So, Mr. Chair, 1446 01:38:52,720 --> 01:38:54,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: has the 1447 01:38:54,720 --> 01:38:56,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: DFA or can the DFA 1448 01:38:56,720 --> 01:38:58,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: issue what? A comment 1449 01:38:58,720 --> 01:39:00,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: about the 1450 01:39:00,720 --> 01:39:02,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: agreement? 1451 01:39:02,720 --> 01:39:04,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: You mentioned that the DNR 1452 01:39:04,720 --> 01:39:06,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: issued a national importance 1453 01:39:06,720 --> 01:39:08,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: statement to the DFA for its 1454 01:39:08,720 --> 01:39:10,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: appreciation. Is there a counter 1455 01:39:10,720 --> 01:39:12,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: comment or essentially 1456 01:39:12,720 --> 01:39:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: what does the DFA read 1457 01:39:14,720 --> 01:39:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: about the role 1458 01:39:16,720 --> 01:39:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: of the Philippines in the larger 1459 01:39:18,720 --> 01:39:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: international 1460 01:39:20,720 --> 01:39:22,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: political landscape that we're 1461 01:39:22,720 --> 01:39:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: navigating in? 1462 01:39:24,720 --> 01:39:26,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: Well, in general terms, we go 1463 01:39:26,720 --> 01:39:28,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: by the relevant agency's 1464 01:39:28,720 --> 01:39:30,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: assessment and 1465 01:39:30,720 --> 01:39:32,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: the DFA weighs in only 1466 01:39:32,720 --> 01:39:34,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in terms of the value on 1467 01:39:34,720 --> 01:39:36,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: the bilateral relationship 1468 01:39:36,720 --> 01:39:38,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: with the country. 1469 01:39:38,720 --> 01:39:40,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: So, if there's a determination 1470 01:39:40,720 --> 01:39:42,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: that it will help 1471 01:39:42,720 --> 01:39:44,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: one 1472 01:39:44,720 --> 01:39:46,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: scale up the 1473 01:39:46,720 --> 01:39:48,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: value-added 1474 01:39:48,720 --> 01:39:50,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: portion of the Philippines in 1475 01:39:50,720 --> 01:39:52,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: terms of 1476 01:39:52,720 --> 01:39:54,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: processing critical minerals 1477 01:39:54,720 --> 01:39:56,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: instead of exporting 1478 01:39:56,720 --> 01:39:58,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: raw materials to other 1479 01:39:58,720 --> 01:40:00,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: processors, that is 1480 01:40:00,720 --> 01:40:02,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: DNR and DTI. 1481 01:40:02,720 --> 01:40:04,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: So, we've also 1482 01:40:04,720 --> 01:40:06,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: accepted that determination. 1483 01:40:06,720 --> 01:40:08,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: We did not 1484 01:40:08,720 --> 01:40:10,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: go against it. And 1485 01:40:10,720 --> 01:40:12,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: also, the fact that 1486 01:40:12,720 --> 01:40:14,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: it's part of a relationship 1487 01:40:14,720 --> 01:40:16,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: with a 1488 01:40:16,720 --> 01:40:18,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: traditional economic partner 1489 01:40:18,720 --> 01:40:20,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: of the Philippines, 1490 01:40:20,720 --> 01:40:22,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: the DFA weighs in on that 1491 01:40:22,720 --> 01:40:24,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and sees that it enhances 1492 01:40:24,720 --> 01:40:26,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: the relationship with the 1493 01:40:26,720 --> 01:40:28,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: U.S. and all the other 1494 01:40:28,720 --> 01:40:30,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: participants in the critical minerals 1495 01:40:30,720 --> 01:40:32,720 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: path. 1496 01:40:32,720 --> 01:40:34,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: But to clarify one last time, 1497 01:40:34,720 --> 01:40:36,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: there's an Office of International Economic 1498 01:40:36,720 --> 01:40:38,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Relations of the DFA, correct? 1499 01:40:38,720 --> 01:40:40,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Did it pass through 1500 01:40:40,720 --> 01:40:42,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: review of that office 1501 01:40:42,720 --> 01:40:44,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: before we signed the critical 1502 01:40:44,720 --> 01:40:46,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: minerals agreement? 1503 01:40:46,720 --> 01:40:48,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I'll refer you now to the Under Secretary 1504 01:40:48,720 --> 01:40:50,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of that Office, International Economic Relations. 1505 01:40:50,720 --> 01:40:52,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: Thank you, 1506 01:40:52,720 --> 01:40:54,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: Madam Secretary, and thank you 1507 01:40:54,720 --> 01:40:56,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: Madam Congressman. 1508 01:40:56,720 --> 01:40:58,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: In this case, because it was already passed upon 1509 01:40:58,720 --> 01:41:00,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: the economic aspects of the 1510 01:41:00,720 --> 01:41:02,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: agreement was passed upon by DNR 1511 01:41:02,720 --> 01:41:04,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: and DTI, it did not pass 1512 01:41:04,720 --> 01:41:06,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: through our, to ask for economic 1513 01:41:06,720 --> 01:41:08,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: review because they are the more 1514 01:41:08,720 --> 01:41:10,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: competent bodies to 1515 01:41:10,720 --> 01:41:12,720 DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria: review it. Thank you. 1516 01:41:12,720 --> 01:41:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Mr. Chair, narinig ko po 1517 01:41:14,720 --> 01:41:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: yung essentially 1518 01:41:16,720 --> 01:41:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: tinimbang ng DFA bago 1519 01:41:18,720 --> 01:41:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: siguro, 1520 01:41:20,720 --> 01:41:22,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: pero yan maybe may 1521 01:41:22,720 --> 01:41:24,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: clearance bago 1522 01:41:24,720 --> 01:41:26,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: binigay po ito and mag-proceed. 1523 01:41:26,720 --> 01:41:28,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: But ako nonetheless, 1524 01:41:28,720 --> 01:41:30,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: I think it should be weighed that 1525 01:41:30,720 --> 01:41:32,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: this MOU 1526 01:41:32,720 --> 01:41:34,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: that the Philippines is now part 1527 01:41:34,720 --> 01:41:36,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: of is not just with one 1528 01:41:36,720 --> 01:41:38,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: bilateral partner, pero nasa picture 1529 01:41:38,720 --> 01:41:40,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: siya ng mas maraming 1530 01:41:40,720 --> 01:41:42,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: same agreements na 1531 01:41:42,720 --> 01:41:44,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: pinipirmahan natin and 1532 01:41:44,720 --> 01:41:46,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: also kasabay nito 1533 01:41:46,720 --> 01:41:48,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: yung Pax Silica Initiative 1534 01:41:48,720 --> 01:41:50,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: na ang basa 1535 01:41:50,720 --> 01:41:52,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: natin na may 1536 01:41:52,720 --> 01:41:54,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: supply of critical minerals, 1537 01:41:54,720 --> 01:41:56,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: may supply of 1538 01:41:56,720 --> 01:41:58,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: or rather 1539 01:41:58,720 --> 01:42:00,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: pag-set up ng 1540 01:42:00,720 --> 01:42:02,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: infrastructure, whether it be sa pag-create ng 1541 01:42:02,720 --> 01:42:04,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: semiconductors or data centers or artificial 1542 01:42:04,720 --> 01:42:06,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: intelligence, at ang Pilipinas po ang mag-host nun. 1543 01:42:06,720 --> 01:42:08,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So that's not 1544 01:42:08,720 --> 01:42:10,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: just national policy or 1545 01:42:10,720 --> 01:42:12,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: national framework na 1546 01:42:12,720 --> 01:42:14,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: dinidiscuss natin, there are international 1547 01:42:14,720 --> 01:42:16,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: implications to this. Meron po bang 1548 01:42:16,720 --> 01:42:18,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: basa na ganun ang DFA? 1549 01:42:18,720 --> 01:42:20,720 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Madam, Mr. Chair. 1550 01:42:20,720 --> 01:42:22,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Congressman Rene, 1551 01:42:22,720 --> 01:42:24,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: kindly wrap up. You have 30 seconds remaining. 1552 01:42:24,720 --> 01:42:28,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: Thank you. Your Honor, 1553 01:42:28,730 --> 01:42:30,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: generally, 1554 01:42:30,730 --> 01:42:32,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: that is the way we 1555 01:42:32,730 --> 01:42:34,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: read it. Right now, 1556 01:42:34,730 --> 01:42:36,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: some of the critical minerals available for 1557 01:42:36,730 --> 01:42:38,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: us for export 1558 01:42:38,730 --> 01:42:40,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: raw would be copper, nickel, 1559 01:42:40,730 --> 01:42:42,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: useful for EVs 1560 01:42:42,730 --> 01:42:44,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and 1561 01:42:44,730 --> 01:42:46,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: they're mostly 1562 01:42:46,730 --> 01:42:48,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: unprocessed and 1563 01:42:48,730 --> 01:42:50,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: the determination of DTI, 1564 01:42:50,730 --> 01:42:52,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: DNR, is that 1565 01:42:52,730 --> 01:42:54,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: providing value-added processing 1566 01:42:54,730 --> 01:42:56,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: will elevate 1567 01:42:56,730 --> 01:42:58,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: both the capabilities of our country 1568 01:42:58,730 --> 01:43:00,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: and also earn 1569 01:43:00,730 --> 01:43:02,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: both for 1570 01:43:02,730 --> 01:43:04,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: locators and 1571 01:43:04,730 --> 01:43:06,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: people hired by locators 1572 01:43:06,730 --> 01:43:08,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in terms of processing 1573 01:43:08,730 --> 01:43:10,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: of critical minerals. And 1574 01:43:10,730 --> 01:43:12,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: to be in the ambit of 1575 01:43:12,730 --> 01:43:14,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: users of these 1576 01:43:14,730 --> 01:43:16,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: critical minerals, whether it's 1577 01:43:16,730 --> 01:43:18,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: development of 1578 01:43:18,730 --> 01:43:20,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: chips or AI applications 1579 01:43:20,730 --> 01:43:22,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: or EV application, 1580 01:43:22,730 --> 01:43:24,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: put the Philippines in a unique 1581 01:43:24,730 --> 01:43:26,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: role and protects investment 1582 01:43:26,730 --> 01:43:28,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in the Philippines by providing 1583 01:43:28,730 --> 01:43:30,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: also a 1584 01:43:30,730 --> 01:43:32,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: protection against price volatility 1585 01:43:32,730 --> 01:43:34,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: in case some of the 1586 01:43:34,730 --> 01:43:36,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: producers of critical minerals 1587 01:43:36,730 --> 01:43:38,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: starts dumping in the open 1588 01:43:38,730 --> 01:43:40,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: market some of these 1589 01:43:40,730 --> 01:43:42,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: critical minerals. So, this arrangement 1590 01:43:42,730 --> 01:43:44,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: was seen by DTI and 1591 01:43:44,730 --> 01:43:46,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: DNR along this 1592 01:43:46,730 --> 01:43:48,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: line and we went along with that 1593 01:43:48,730 --> 01:43:50,730 DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim: evaluation. 1594 01:43:50,730 --> 01:43:52,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, if I just would like to add, 1595 01:43:52,730 --> 01:43:54,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: certain 1596 01:43:54,730 --> 01:43:56,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: MOUs or agreements 1597 01:43:56,730 --> 01:43:58,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which is being led 1598 01:43:58,730 --> 01:44:00,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: by a different government agency 1599 01:44:00,730 --> 01:44:02,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: has been mentioned. And since 1600 01:44:02,730 --> 01:44:04,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: they are the lead agency who understands 1601 01:44:04,730 --> 01:44:06,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this whole gamut of critical 1602 01:44:06,730 --> 01:44:08,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: mineral infrastructure, then 1603 01:44:08,730 --> 01:44:10,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: DFA has 1604 01:44:10,730 --> 01:44:12,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: a conduit 1605 01:44:12,730 --> 01:44:14,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to these international agreements 1606 01:44:14,730 --> 01:44:16,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: as well as MOUs 1607 01:44:16,730 --> 01:44:18,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: because of 1608 01:44:18,730 --> 01:44:20,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we see it has been 1609 01:44:20,730 --> 01:44:22,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: mentioned. Then we just 1610 01:44:22,730 --> 01:44:24,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: give our concurrence. So, 1611 01:44:24,730 --> 01:44:26,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that is exactly the situation that 1612 01:44:26,730 --> 01:44:28,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that was 1613 01:44:28,730 --> 01:44:30,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but attended this 1614 01:44:30,730 --> 01:44:32,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particular agreement. And we 1615 01:44:32,730 --> 01:44:34,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: concur because considering 1616 01:44:34,730 --> 01:44:36,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that the 1617 01:44:36,730 --> 01:44:38,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: lead agencies has already said 1618 01:44:38,730 --> 01:44:40,730 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that this is good for the country. 1619 01:44:40,730 --> 01:44:42,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Mr. Chair, 1620 01:44:42,730 --> 01:44:44,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: clarified lang din natin 1621 01:44:44,730 --> 01:44:46,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: yung essentially role ng DFA sa lahat 1622 01:44:46,730 --> 01:44:48,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: na ito. Dahil to my 1623 01:44:48,730 --> 01:44:50,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: understanding, kung may 1624 01:44:50,730 --> 01:44:52,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: papasukin pong international agreement 1625 01:44:52,730 --> 01:44:54,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: yung DFA at 1626 01:44:54,730 --> 01:44:56,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: the very least, para i-ensure yung 1627 01:44:56,730 --> 01:44:58,730 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: consistency of language, consistency ng 1628 01:44:58,730 --> 01:45:00,000 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: mga agreements natin before. 1629 01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:11,620 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Or dapat po may review or even may comment doon po sa ano yung papasukin kung mayroon mang incompatibilities, inconsistencies na kailangan pong ayusin. 1630 01:45:12,040 --> 01:45:15,960 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So for now, at least mas enlightened ako, but siguro last na lang po. 1631 01:45:15,960 --> 01:45:24,580 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: So for now, Mr. Chair, ang clear po is the DFA cannot provide a copy of this MOU to the committee. 1632 01:45:25,500 --> 01:45:28,960 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: No, we cannot, Your Honor. It is not with us, perhaps. 1633 01:45:28,960 --> 01:45:32,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But we can request the concerned agency. 1634 01:45:33,560 --> 01:45:34,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you. 1635 01:45:34,020 --> 01:45:38,120 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Much appreciated. That would be helpful, Mr. Chair, kung maaari bago po mag-plenary. 1636 01:45:38,320 --> 01:45:39,260 Rep. Renee Louise M. Co: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. 1637 01:45:39,560 --> 01:45:42,420 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Congressman Rene. And thank you, Madam Secretary. 1638 01:45:43,220 --> 01:45:48,160 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: May we now recognize the Honorable Jay Vergara from the majority. 1639 01:45:52,010 --> 01:45:54,030 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Magandang hapon po. 1640 01:45:55,150 --> 01:46:01,010 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: So, sususugang ko lamang po yung salita nung... 1641 01:46:01,810 --> 01:46:07,390 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: ...nangangailangan ng consular office. 1642 01:46:08,690 --> 01:46:11,390 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Yung sa amin po, palengke naman pinagawa namin. 1643 01:46:12,390 --> 01:46:14,870 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: At LGU funded lang po. 1644 01:46:15,930 --> 01:46:18,450 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: 31,000 square meters. 1645 01:46:18,450 --> 01:46:28,270 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Because we believe na may partnership po dapat sa gobyerno with the government. 1646 01:46:29,210 --> 01:46:29,450 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: So... 1647 01:46:31,810 --> 01:46:34,030 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Merong paglalagyan po. 1648 01:46:35,270 --> 01:46:36,530 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Merong pangangailangan. 1649 01:46:36,790 --> 01:46:41,170 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Dahil kasi lahat nung buong Region 1, 1650 01:46:42,370 --> 01:46:46,290 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: isang linggo na hong dumadaan sa Cabanatuan City. 1651 01:46:47,650 --> 01:46:48,530 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Buong Region 1. 1652 01:46:50,680 --> 01:46:52,540 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Pati na yung Region 3. 1653 01:46:53,520 --> 01:46:55,100 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Pati na yung Region 2. 1654 01:46:56,140 --> 01:46:58,520 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: So, I cannot emphasize further. 1655 01:46:58,520 --> 01:47:02,520 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Kasi kasama ko ang buong probinsya. 1656 01:47:03,180 --> 01:47:12,580 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: ng Aurora at parte ng Quezon ay nandun din po sa amin sa Vizcaya. 1657 01:47:13,240 --> 01:47:28,300 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Doon po mas kaya strategically located yung pag tinanong po niyo sa Northeastern Luzon ang isang consular office. 1658 01:47:28,720 --> 01:47:29,240 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: So... 1659 01:47:30,200 --> 01:47:32,380 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Yun po lamang ang aking gustong sabihin. 1660 01:47:33,180 --> 01:47:42,800 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: at gusto ko pong tanong lang yung kalagayan na hindi na po kailangan sagutin. 1661 01:47:43,180 --> 01:47:47,940 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Ang akin lang, sulat lang po para maintindihan ko lamang po yung kalagayan 1662 01:47:47,940 --> 01:47:54,500 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: ng mga nag-request na kasamahan kong mga kongresista ng Consular Office. 1663 01:47:55,400 --> 01:47:57,720 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Yun lamang po ang first question. 1664 01:47:59,320 --> 01:48:00,960 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Kung pwede ko pong sagutin. 1665 01:48:00,960 --> 01:48:02,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Salamat, Your Honor. 1666 01:48:02,600 --> 01:48:08,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Naalala ko po yung pag-uusap natin last year tungkol dito sa inyong request. 1667 01:48:09,200 --> 01:48:12,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Palagi ko pong pinapaalahanan yung aming Consular Office 1668 01:48:12,240 --> 01:48:18,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: kasi alam kong malaki yung populasyon and coming from the different regions. 1669 01:48:18,820 --> 01:48:22,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, based on the information na naman natanggap po namin, 1670 01:48:22,540 --> 01:48:28,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nandun din po kayo sa listahan na yun na sa kagaya ng sinabi ko 1671 01:48:28,040 --> 01:48:30,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is kailangan po din na-approval. 1672 01:48:30,960 --> 01:48:32,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng Department of Budget and Management. 1673 01:48:33,420 --> 01:48:39,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, naghihintay lang po kami ng approval ng DBM on this matter. 1674 01:48:39,400 --> 01:48:44,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But we're very, very conscious kasi ilang beses na po tayo nag-uusap tungkol dito. 1675 01:48:44,680 --> 01:48:45,080 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Salamat po. 1676 01:48:45,860 --> 01:48:48,640 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Madam, salamat po, Madam Secretary. 1677 01:48:49,300 --> 01:48:51,400 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Ang pangalawang question po. 1678 01:48:52,260 --> 01:48:55,600 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Sa kasaysayan po ay inapi ang balsang China 1679 01:48:55,600 --> 01:48:58,260 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: ng mga foreign powers. 1680 01:48:58,260 --> 01:49:00,900 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Kaya sinasabi kong madalas, 1681 01:49:00,960 --> 01:49:06,100 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: huwag silang maging katulad ng Bansang Hapon 1682 01:49:06,100 --> 01:49:11,300 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: na nung sila'y apahin nung pagyayari ng gera sibil ng Amerika 1683 01:49:11,300 --> 01:49:18,160 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: at nung mag-progress na ang Bansang Hapon at kinonsiderang world power 1684 01:49:18,160 --> 01:49:23,660 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: e nung 1905 sa gera ng Strait of Tsushima 1685 01:49:23,660 --> 01:49:28,740 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: wherein the Japanese Navy beat the Russian fleet 1686 01:49:28,740 --> 01:49:30,660 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: and the Russian fleet, 1687 01:49:30,960 --> 01:49:35,960 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: and the Russians went to President Theodore Roosevelt 1688 01:49:35,960 --> 01:49:39,140 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: to ask for help para magkaayos sila. 1689 01:49:39,920 --> 01:49:42,000 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Tayo po ang madlang Pilipino. 1690 01:49:42,640 --> 01:49:49,620 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Ang masang Pilipino po ay nakiki[unclear]. Ang damdamin po nila ay nag-uumigting. 1691 01:49:49,920 --> 01:49:54,980 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Ano po ang ginagawa natin doon sa pangapi na ginagawa ng China sa atin ngayon? 1692 01:49:56,960 --> 01:50:02,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Tungkol doon po sa marami pong aspekto yung tanong nyo. 1693 01:50:02,340 --> 01:50:07,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Siguro po sa umpisa pa lang is kung pinag-uusapan natin ang karagatan, 1694 01:50:08,240 --> 01:50:09,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the West Philippine Sea, 1695 01:50:10,220 --> 01:50:15,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: well, nakikita rin po ninyo na ang ating mga security and defense establishments 1696 01:50:15,540 --> 01:50:16,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: kung anong ginagawa. 1697 01:50:16,960 --> 01:50:19,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: However, as far as Department of Foreign Affairs concerned, 1698 01:50:20,660 --> 01:50:27,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang mandato po ng Pangulo ay yung discussion should be done 1699 01:50:27,400 --> 01:50:31,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: with diplomacy and diplomatic dialogue. 1700 01:50:32,340 --> 01:50:38,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So kami po ay may dalawang mekanismo na ginagamit namin sa aming pakikipag-usap sa China 1701 01:50:38,940 --> 01:50:43,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and that is the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea 1702 01:50:43,200 --> 01:50:45,460 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at saka foreign ministry consultations. 1703 01:50:46,060 --> 01:50:51,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Nandito po nakasaloob lahat ang mga issues na pinag-uusapan. 1704 01:50:51,260 --> 01:50:54,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Ito po ay twice at least a year ginagawa. 1705 01:50:55,420 --> 01:50:59,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: At meron po kami ding mga ibang mekanismo kagaya ng sa ASEAN 1706 01:50:59,840 --> 01:51:01,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at hopefully, 1707 01:51:02,340 --> 01:51:09,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: mak-conclude namin yung ASEAN-China Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. 1708 01:51:09,740 --> 01:51:16,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So ito po yung aming pamamaraan na tinitingnan din po namin. 1709 01:51:16,980 --> 01:51:23,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Nandun din po yung mga nahuhuli nilang mga Pilipino na sinasabing sa China po. 1710 01:51:23,440 --> 01:51:29,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So tinitingnan po namin ang kanilang kalagayan through our consular offices. 1711 01:51:29,680 --> 01:51:31,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Isang tingin namin dito, these are consular issues. 1712 01:51:32,340 --> 01:51:37,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: At sa Vienna Convention, dapat sinasabi nila sa amin kung ano-ano bang kaso nila. 1713 01:51:38,140 --> 01:51:40,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So nakatutok po kami dyan. 1714 01:51:41,600 --> 01:51:47,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Well, ito po yung aming sinasagawa as Department of Foreign Affairs. 1715 01:51:48,820 --> 01:51:54,440 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Bilang isa sa principal author ng modernisasyon ng Coast Guard, 1716 01:51:55,340 --> 01:52:00,140 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: talaga pong nakakalungkot lamang po kaya ako lamang binanggit. 1717 01:52:00,140 --> 01:52:02,140 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: At alam ko pong diplomasyon. 1718 01:52:02,340 --> 01:52:04,840 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Ito po siya ang ating tatahaking landas. 1719 01:52:06,040 --> 01:52:08,340 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: Nasa inyo po, Madam Secretary, ang aking suporta. 1720 01:52:09,640 --> 01:52:13,800 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: At natutuwa po ako sa Foreign Affairs family. 1721 01:52:14,500 --> 01:52:16,280 Rep. Julius Cesar "Jay" V. Vergara: And magandang hapon po sa inyo. 1722 01:52:17,140 --> 01:52:17,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Salamat po. 1723 01:52:20,570 --> 01:52:22,390 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Representative Vergara. 1724 01:52:25,110 --> 01:52:28,610 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Before we proceed to the next interpellator, 1725 01:52:29,210 --> 01:52:32,830 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: may we recognize the presence of the Honorable Sara Elago. 1726 01:52:34,390 --> 01:52:40,190 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: We proceed with the member from the minority, Representative Antonio Tinio. 1727 01:52:40,250 --> 01:52:41,270 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: You are now recognized, sir. 1728 01:52:44,620 --> 01:52:45,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Thank you, Chair. 1729 01:52:48,980 --> 01:52:58,170 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Chair, una, kaugnay sa proposed budget ng DFA, 1730 01:52:59,050 --> 01:53:06,670 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: I noted one item, ICT expenditures for 2027, 956.61 million. 1731 01:53:08,510 --> 01:53:11,010 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Napasin ko po as a trend na, 1732 01:53:11,590 --> 01:53:18,750 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: in recent years, lumulobo, lumalaki yung mga ICT expenditures ng maraming agencies, hindi lang kayo. 1733 01:53:19,370 --> 01:53:21,990 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, para saan po ito? 1734 01:53:22,450 --> 01:53:27,850 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: At how much was the budget, is the ICT budget for this year? 1735 01:53:29,050 --> 01:53:31,710 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Kumusta ang utilization? Saan ito ginamit? 1736 01:53:31,870 --> 01:53:35,770 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And why 956 million for next year? 1737 01:53:38,990 --> 01:53:40,130 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. 1738 01:53:40,250 --> 01:53:43,310 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I will refer the question now to two points. 1739 01:53:44,050 --> 01:53:49,430 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: First is our Assistant Secretary in charge of ICT and all these issues, please. 1740 01:53:54,110 --> 01:53:55,270 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Thank you, Madam Secretary. 1741 01:53:55,650 --> 01:53:57,750 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Thank you, Honorable Tinio. 1742 01:53:57,750 --> 01:54:03,970 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Sir, for our ICT expenditures for 2025 to 2026, 1743 01:54:04,370 --> 01:54:07,050 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: all these expenditures were approved by the MITI. 1744 01:54:07,950 --> 01:54:13,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: It's a committee composed of the DICT, DBM, and all other agencies. 1745 01:54:14,590 --> 01:54:16,750 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: The overall surge in the MOE, 1746 01:54:17,890 --> 01:54:29,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the MOE budget at 115% and our capital outlay budget at 400% in our ISSP from 2025 to 2026, 1747 01:54:29,470 --> 01:54:36,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: marks a deliberate fiscal pivot away from acquiring day-to-day operational ICT assets 1748 01:54:36,710 --> 01:54:44,050 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: to strategically acquiring large-scale, enterprise-grade, and high-value capital ICT assets 1749 01:54:44,050 --> 01:54:46,590 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: to support the institutional 1750 01:54:46,590 --> 01:54:47,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: reinforcement of the 1751 01:54:47,650 --> 01:54:52,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: President's policy directives and digitization assets of the department, sir, 1752 01:54:53,030 --> 01:54:56,630 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: for both critical, mission-critical, and frontline services. 1753 01:54:57,310 --> 01:55:00,390 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Essentially, sir, we have four priorities for the ICT. 1754 01:55:00,630 --> 01:55:01,490 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: First is cybersecurity. 1755 01:55:02,490 --> 01:55:04,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Second is data privacy and data protection. 1756 01:55:05,570 --> 01:55:07,370 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Third would be digital transformation. 1757 01:55:08,170 --> 01:55:13,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: And the last one, sir, would be the information systems strategic plan and ICT procurement. 1758 01:55:13,710 --> 01:55:17,590 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: For 2026 to 2028, sir, as I've mentioned earlier, 1759 01:55:17,650 --> 01:55:22,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: our ISSP plan was approved last year in May 2025. 1760 01:55:23,530 --> 01:55:26,850 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We're currently utilizing ICT for four. 1761 01:55:27,310 --> 01:55:29,810 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: First is for the foreign policy services. 1762 01:55:30,530 --> 01:55:33,430 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: These are cloud-based office productivity tools, 1763 01:55:33,890 --> 01:55:36,130 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: security for our ICT infrastructure, 1764 01:55:36,870 --> 01:55:39,190 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: technical support to the home office. 1765 01:55:39,710 --> 01:55:42,770 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Second, sir, would be for diplomatic and consular services, 1766 01:55:43,490 --> 01:55:45,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the ATN management database, 1767 01:55:45,470 --> 01:55:46,890 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the e-passport, 1768 01:55:46,990 --> 01:55:47,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: and the passport system. 1769 01:55:47,650 --> 01:55:49,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We also have the e-passport appointment system, 1770 01:55:49,650 --> 01:55:51,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: e-apostile, e-visa, 1771 01:55:51,650 --> 01:55:53,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: fraud management and detection tools. 1772 01:55:53,650 --> 01:55:55,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We also have a call center, 1773 01:55:55,650 --> 01:55:57,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the technical support to our foreign service post, 1774 01:55:57,650 --> 01:55:59,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: and to our consular offices. 1775 01:55:59,650 --> 01:56:03,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: The last one, sir, would be for general administration and support services. 1776 01:56:03,650 --> 01:56:05,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We have our ICT infrastructure. 1777 01:56:05,650 --> 01:56:07,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: For our personnel, sir, 1778 01:56:07,650 --> 01:56:09,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: we have the human resources, 1779 01:56:09,650 --> 01:56:11,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: HCMPS, that's how we call it. 1780 01:56:11,650 --> 01:56:13,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: For the finance side, 1781 01:56:13,650 --> 01:56:15,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: we have the ENGAS. 1782 01:56:15,650 --> 01:56:17,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We also have web presence, 1783 01:56:17,650 --> 01:56:19,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: we have the sense care of the DICT, sir. 1784 01:56:19,650 --> 01:56:21,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We have collaboration software, 1785 01:56:21,650 --> 01:56:23,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: and we also have our visitor management. 1786 01:56:23,650 --> 01:56:25,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: For our challenges, 1787 01:56:25,650 --> 01:56:31,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: that's why, sir, we're acquiring really large projects, sir, 1788 01:56:31,650 --> 01:56:33,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: because we have a lot of challenges. 1789 01:56:33,650 --> 01:56:37,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: The first one, sir, is we have a lot of cybersecurity threats. 1790 01:56:37,650 --> 01:56:39,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Most especially, it's the ASEAN year. 1791 01:56:39,650 --> 01:56:41,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We need to protect our networks. 1792 01:56:41,650 --> 01:56:43,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We also have to manage and protect the data 1793 01:56:43,650 --> 01:56:45,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: because we have passport information, 1794 01:56:45,650 --> 01:56:47,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the personal information, 1795 01:56:47,650 --> 01:56:49,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: of our clients. 1796 01:56:49,650 --> 01:56:51,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Third, sir, we also have to strengthen connectivity 1797 01:56:51,650 --> 01:56:53,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: because we have a lot of foreign service posts 1798 01:56:53,650 --> 01:56:55,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: and consular offices. 1799 01:56:57,650 --> 01:56:59,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Another one, sir, we also have to deal with 1800 01:56:59,650 --> 01:57:01,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: the pace of technological challenges. 1801 01:57:01,650 --> 01:57:03,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: And last one, sir, would be 1802 01:57:03,650 --> 01:57:05,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: to address our ICT personnel challenges. 1803 01:57:05,650 --> 01:57:07,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Thank you. 1804 01:57:07,650 --> 01:57:09,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Thank you, sir. 1805 01:57:09,650 --> 01:57:11,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay, you mentioned 1806 01:57:11,650 --> 01:57:13,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: your thrust is acquisition of 1807 01:57:13,650 --> 01:57:15,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: or investing in capital, 1808 01:57:15,650 --> 01:57:17,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: right? 1809 01:57:17,650 --> 01:57:19,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Yes, sir. 1810 01:57:19,650 --> 01:57:21,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: But like what you said, 1811 01:57:21,650 --> 01:57:23,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: mostly services, I think. 1812 01:57:23,650 --> 01:57:25,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Could you clarify that? 1813 01:57:25,650 --> 01:57:27,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Sir, because, sir, 1814 01:57:27,650 --> 01:57:29,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: we're purchasing a lot lately 1815 01:57:29,650 --> 01:57:31,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: for cybersecurity, sir. 1816 01:57:31,650 --> 01:57:33,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Our purchases 1817 01:57:33,650 --> 01:57:35,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: for capital outlay, sir, 1818 01:57:35,650 --> 01:57:37,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: we're upgrading, sir, 1819 01:57:37,650 --> 01:57:39,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: our infrastructure. 1820 01:57:39,650 --> 01:57:41,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We're upgrading our infrastructure 1821 01:57:41,650 --> 01:57:43,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: in the capital outlay. 1822 01:57:43,650 --> 01:57:45,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: And, sir, most others would be... 1823 01:57:45,650 --> 01:57:47,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, concretely, you mean purchases of 1824 01:57:47,650 --> 01:57:49,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: computers? 1825 01:57:49,650 --> 01:57:51,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Routers? 1826 01:57:51,650 --> 01:57:53,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: What do you acquire? 1827 01:57:53,650 --> 01:57:55,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Sir, yung sa aming mga ICT projects, 1828 01:57:55,650 --> 01:57:57,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: ang malaki naming budget 1829 01:57:57,650 --> 01:57:59,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: would be for the OCA, sir. 1830 01:57:59,650 --> 01:58:01,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Kasi sa consular offices. 1831 01:58:01,650 --> 01:58:03,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Kasi, sir, as of now, 1832 01:58:03,650 --> 01:58:05,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: most of our, 1833 01:58:05,650 --> 01:58:07,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: what we're doing, marami, sir, kaming 1834 01:58:07,650 --> 01:58:09,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: projects on the ICT projects 1835 01:58:09,650 --> 01:58:11,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: amounting to 1836 01:58:11,650 --> 01:58:13,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: 511 million. 1837 01:58:13,650 --> 01:58:15,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Critical infrastructure resilience 1838 01:58:15,650 --> 01:58:17,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: and the e-visa system and the 1839 01:58:17,650 --> 01:58:19,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: e-passport system, the OCA 1840 01:58:19,650 --> 01:58:21,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: would be in a better position to discuss. 1841 01:58:21,650 --> 01:58:23,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Now, yung 1842 01:58:23,650 --> 01:58:25,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: e-passports, may hiwalay na budget, 1843 01:58:25,650 --> 01:58:27,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: which is 5.5 1844 01:58:27,650 --> 01:58:29,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: billion. 1845 01:58:29,650 --> 01:58:31,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: In your presentation, this is different 1846 01:58:31,650 --> 01:58:33,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: from ICT expenditures, which is 1847 01:58:33,650 --> 01:58:35,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: 956 million, almost 1848 01:58:35,650 --> 01:58:37,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: 1 billion. So, ako, 1849 01:58:37,650 --> 01:58:39,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: parang intindi ko, hiwalay pa yung e-passport, 1850 01:58:39,650 --> 01:58:41,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: which I understand as a large 1851 01:58:41,650 --> 01:58:43,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ICT component. 1852 01:58:43,650 --> 01:58:45,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, 1853 01:58:45,650 --> 01:58:47,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: naroon, marami pong sinabi, 1854 01:58:47,650 --> 01:58:49,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: pwede pong mabigay na lang yung 1855 01:58:49,650 --> 01:58:51,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: detalyadong breakdown 1856 01:58:51,650 --> 01:58:53,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ng mga 1857 01:58:53,650 --> 01:58:55,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: from 2025, 2026, 1858 01:58:55,650 --> 01:58:57,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and then the proposed 2027 1859 01:58:57,650 --> 01:58:59,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: in terms of the services, the providers, 1860 01:58:59,650 --> 01:59:01,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and so on. 1861 01:59:01,650 --> 01:59:03,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We will comply, Your Honor. 1862 01:59:03,650 --> 01:59:05,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: We will comply, sir. We have a list 1863 01:59:05,650 --> 01:59:07,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: with me right now, then we'll send it 1864 01:59:07,650 --> 01:59:09,650 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: to you, sir. Thank you, sir. 1865 01:59:11,650 --> 01:59:13,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: May iba pa tayong tanong, pero 1866 01:59:13,650 --> 01:59:15,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: of course, you mentioned the 1867 01:59:15,650 --> 01:59:17,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: question of securing 1868 01:59:17,650 --> 01:59:19,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the 1869 01:59:19,650 --> 01:59:21,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: private data of 1870 01:59:21,650 --> 01:59:23,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: lalo pa kayo hawak 1871 01:59:23,650 --> 01:59:25,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: niyo yung passports. Could you just talk a little 1872 01:59:25,650 --> 01:59:27,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: bit about that? Nasan ba 1873 01:59:27,650 --> 01:59:29,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: actually, where is the passport 1874 01:59:29,650 --> 01:59:31,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: data of the Filipino people? 1875 01:59:31,650 --> 01:59:33,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Where is it stored? 1876 01:59:33,650 --> 01:59:35,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Issue na kasi yan, diba? 1877 01:59:35,650 --> 01:59:37,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Na sa totoo lang, it's not 1878 01:59:37,650 --> 01:59:39,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: stored. We do not have 1879 01:59:39,650 --> 01:59:41,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: so-called data sovereignty. It's stored 1880 01:59:41,650 --> 01:59:43,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: somewhere else, in some other country. 1881 01:59:43,650 --> 01:59:45,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Nasan po? At how can 1882 01:59:45,650 --> 01:59:47,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: we assure 1883 01:59:47,650 --> 01:59:49,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the, you know, the privacy, the 1884 01:59:49,650 --> 01:59:51,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: security, sovereignty over 1885 01:59:51,650 --> 01:59:53,650 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: our own data? 1886 01:59:53,650 --> 01:59:55,650 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, I will 1887 01:59:55,650 --> 01:59:57,650 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: refer this to our Assistant Secretary for 1888 01:59:57,650 --> 01:59:59,650 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Consular Affairs. 1889 02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:08,960 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: honor good afternoon for the e-passport database we would like to inform or your honor that we have 1890 02:00:08,960 --> 02:00:16,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: a third party service provider for the production of the e-passport and that is one of our 1891 02:00:16,720 --> 02:00:26,560 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: recognized government printers the apo printing unit and at the moment they are in charge of the 1892 02:00:26,560 --> 02:00:35,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: uh database for the passport system and the data center is with them actually 1893 02:00:38,160 --> 02:00:41,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: With them? So sino po ito? 1894 02:00:41,900 --> 02:00:42,600 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: That's the APO. 1895 02:00:42,600 --> 02:00:49,840 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: APO, the data center is with them. What does that mean? Na meron silang sariling data center na nasa Pilipinas? 1896 02:00:49,840 --> 02:00:54,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: We have the passport production plant, which is located in Lima, Batangas. 1897 02:00:55,840 --> 02:00:56,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: That's operated by APO. 1898 02:00:57,520 --> 02:00:59,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And they have a data center? 1899 02:00:59,900 --> 02:01:05,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Yes, they maintain a server for the passport database. 1900 02:01:05,200 --> 02:01:07,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So the passport database is in-country? 1901 02:01:07,600 --> 02:01:08,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Yes. 1902 02:01:08,200 --> 02:01:13,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. Pwede po magbigay na lang nung mas technical na report para maaral po natin. 1903 02:01:13,600 --> 02:01:14,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Okay, 1904 02:01:14,200 --> 02:01:19,840 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: thank you po. So parang sinasabi niyo, wala yan sa Amazon Web Services 1905 02:01:19,840 --> 02:01:21,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: or something like that? 1906 02:01:21,000 --> 02:01:21,600 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Yes. 1907 02:01:21,600 --> 02:01:22,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Not in the cloud? 1908 02:01:22,600 --> 02:01:23,200 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: Yes. 1909 02:01:23,200 --> 02:01:25,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. Okay. 1910 02:01:26,560 --> 02:01:27,920 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Next questions po natin ay kaugnay. Well, yung sa Pax Silica, ang intindi ko kanina, wala kayong 1911 02:01:33,840 --> 02:01:34,560 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: involvement. Is that correct? 1912 02:01:37,920 --> 02:01:40,560 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Kasi yung on the U.S. side, it's the U.S. State Department. 1913 02:01:42,320 --> 02:01:45,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Ang nagpupunta dito si Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg. 1914 02:01:49,440 --> 02:01:56,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: runner the initial discussions with the undersecretary of the state department 1915 02:01:57,520 --> 02:02:05,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we i was also we were had discussions and we were that the concept was still being formulated 1916 02:02:05,440 --> 02:02:14,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at that time however when the uh when the pac silica and particularly that document it was the 1917 02:02:14,640 --> 02:02:21,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: department of trade and industry we deemed it that it will be dti although it's the state department 1918 02:02:21,600 --> 02:02:26,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: on the other side but the state department is being handled by international economic affairs 1919 02:02:26,960 --> 02:02:32,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So we deemed it proper and appropriate na si DTI ang mag-handle this. 1920 02:02:32,560 --> 02:02:43,360 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So since then, of course, it has evolved. Now it's DTI and [unclear] that are now working on this. 1921 02:02:43,360 --> 02:02:48,960 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: discussions our and the initial discussions we were involved in other concerned government agencies 1922 02:02:50,240 --> 02:02:55,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, all right. So hindi na kayo directly involved at this point of time? 1923 02:02:55,960 --> 02:03:03,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: no but we are part of well we still continue to follow this up and of course the messaging 1924 02:03:03,560 --> 02:03:06,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that we need to convey. 1925 02:03:06,720 --> 02:03:09,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. So it's described as a non-binding agreement. 1926 02:03:09,800 --> 02:03:35,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Bilang DFA, pwede niyo po ba i-explain 'yon? Sabihin, ang dami na pong pangako ng Pax Silica. Apparently our industrial development is at stake with this agreement, pero non-binding naman siya. In other words, ang concern po natin ay, paano po kung 1927 02:03:35,160 --> 02:03:38,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: this Pax Silica is very much associated with the presidency of Trump? 1928 02:03:39,800 --> 02:03:43,640 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Paano kung napalitan ang president? They have a presidential election in 2028. Meron pa bang 1929 02:03:46,920 --> 02:03:50,720 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pax Silica after 2028? 1930 02:03:50,720 --> 02:03:55,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, I would tend to compare this because 1931 02:03:57,240 --> 02:04:03,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: even during the biden uh presidency uh if you recall there was 1932 02:04:03,640 --> 02:04:09,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this secretary of commerce raymundo who brought a good number of investors and most of them are in 1933 02:04:09,800 --> 02:04:16,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: semiconductor industry so i think it's um i think as far as the uh americans are concerned 1934 02:04:16,920 --> 02:04:21,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this is a very important issue and the semiconductor industry of course critical 1935 02:04:21,240 --> 02:04:29,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: minerals came in so um it seems that uh this is uh we i surmise that this will be a policy issue 1936 02:04:29,720 --> 02:04:36,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that will continue on uh whatever i mean because it was there during the biden administration 1937 02:04:38,440 --> 02:04:39,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pero ang point lang po, 1938 02:04:40,440 --> 02:04:45,720 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: it's also possible that a future administration may not continue with this. 1939 02:04:45,720 --> 02:04:49,400 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: In other words, kasi nga non-binding, and it's not like it's a treaty 1940 02:04:49,960 --> 02:04:52,500 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: with obligations, correct? 1941 02:04:52,500 --> 02:04:54,360 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Yes, Your Honor. It is possible. 1942 02:04:56,360 --> 02:04:57,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, pwede rin talaga. Okay. 1943 02:04:59,480 --> 02:05:03,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Yun lang yung point. Now to the VFA Commission, 1944 02:05:03,160 --> 02:05:05,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: tama ba? 1945 02:05:05,960 --> 02:05:08,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Sa inyong presentation ay, 1946 02:05:08,600 --> 02:05:15,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Of course, we have had a series of Status of Forces Agreements. 1947 02:05:16,760 --> 02:05:18,620 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Is the VFA Commission here? 1948 02:05:22,980 --> 02:05:36,750 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: We have our Undersecretary for the Visiting Forces, Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces. 1949 02:05:37,710 --> 02:05:39,090 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And he will be able to respond. 1950 02:05:39,090 --> 02:05:40,230 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: PCVF, yes. 1951 02:05:40,230 --> 02:05:52,840 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, in your presentation here, we have currently implemented SOFAs 1, 2, 3. 1952 02:05:52,920 --> 02:05:54,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Only three, correct? 1953 02:05:54,780 --> 02:05:55,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Currently, sir, yes. 1954 02:05:56,160 --> 02:06:06,220 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Actually, five already because the Senate has already granted concurrence for New Zealand and Canada. 1955 02:06:06,380 --> 02:06:07,100 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: So, it's now five. 1956 02:06:07,120 --> 02:06:07,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, it's now five. 1957 02:06:08,080 --> 02:06:08,620 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Your presentation is not updated. 1958 02:06:08,620 --> 02:06:13,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, it's US, Australia, Japan. 1959 02:06:13,460 --> 02:06:18,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And then, most recently, New Zealand and Canada. 1960 02:06:19,880 --> 02:06:26,300 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And then, in the pipeline, it says here, sorry, awaiting ratification and concurrence, France? 1961 02:06:27,020 --> 02:06:28,040 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: France, yes, sir. 1962 02:06:28,620 --> 02:06:30,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And in the pipeline, UK? 1963 02:06:33,140 --> 02:06:34,840 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: That's correct, Your Honor. 1964 02:06:35,220 --> 02:06:36,940 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Is there another one in the pipeline? 1965 02:06:37,340 --> 02:06:40,460 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: That's it for the current situation. 1966 02:06:41,480 --> 02:06:43,220 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: That's the last one that we have. 1967 02:06:43,460 --> 02:06:45,180 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: That's the last one that we have started negotiations with. 1968 02:06:45,760 --> 02:06:48,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Last one under this administration? 1969 02:06:48,540 --> 02:06:50,520 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Honorable Tinio, kindly wrap up, please. 1970 02:06:50,540 --> 02:06:51,420 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Yes, Your Honor. 1971 02:06:53,440 --> 02:06:54,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. 1972 02:06:55,400 --> 02:07:01,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pwede po bang mabigyan kami ng kopya ng complete text ng lahat ng mga SOFAs na ito? 1973 02:07:02,500 --> 02:07:03,620 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: I think so, sir. 1974 02:07:03,720 --> 02:07:10,200 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: We could provide that request from the DND because they are the lead agency with regards to the negotiations. 1975 02:07:13,220 --> 02:07:14,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: The DND? 1976 02:07:14,160 --> 02:07:15,340 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Yes, sir. 1977 02:07:15,580 --> 02:07:16,340 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: They're the lead. 1978 02:07:16,580 --> 02:07:17,660 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Oo, kayo na bahala doon, basta 1979 02:07:17,760 --> 02:07:18,240 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Yes, sir. 1980 02:07:18,260 --> 02:07:18,940 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: please provide us. 1981 02:07:19,120 --> 02:07:20,420 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: We will ask that from them. 1982 02:07:20,420 --> 02:07:22,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Kahit hindi na yung sa U.S., meron na kami noon. 1983 02:07:22,660 --> 02:07:23,020 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Yes, sir. 1984 02:07:23,060 --> 02:07:23,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. 1985 02:07:23,740 --> 02:07:24,140 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Yes, Your Honor. 1986 02:07:24,180 --> 02:07:24,460 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Thank you po. 1987 02:07:25,640 --> 02:07:28,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Mr. Chair, meron pa yata. 1988 02:07:28,440 --> 02:07:29,020 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Okay, meron pa pala. 1989 02:07:30,040 --> 02:07:34,940 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: The third set of questions has to do with West Philippine Sea and China. 1990 02:07:37,040 --> 02:07:37,840 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Thank you, Your Honor. 1991 02:07:37,840 --> 02:07:44,380 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Meron pong Twitter account ang Chinese Embassy in Manila. 1992 02:07:45,580 --> 02:07:47,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Are you aware of this Twitter account? 1993 02:07:47,580 --> 02:07:50,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And is this really the official one? 1994 02:07:50,580 --> 02:07:56,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Can we confirm that from the DFA? 1995 02:07:56,580 --> 02:07:59,580 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Last question, please, Honorable Tinio. 1996 02:07:59,580 --> 02:08:05,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, let me refer this to our Maritime Affairs Office, please. 1997 02:08:05,580 --> 02:08:18,060 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: Your Honor, we have monitored statements in the Twitter account, but we have to verify if these are authentic from the Chinese Embassy. 1998 02:08:18,060 --> 02:08:19,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, what you're saying is, 1999 02:08:19,040 --> 02:08:30,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: up to this point, you can't say here in the Congress if this Twitter account is authentic. 2000 02:08:30,040 --> 02:08:40,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: It says there, the official Twitter account of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines at China and Manila. 2001 02:08:40,040 --> 02:08:47,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And there's a link to their supposedly website, ph.chineseembassy.org. 2002 02:08:49,040 --> 02:08:52,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: You just can't confirm that? 2003 02:08:59,120 --> 02:09:00,200 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: Your Honor, I have to... 2004 02:09:00,200 --> 02:09:13,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Bakit po? Kasi po, you're all over the media at napaka-active ng Twitter account na ito claiming to be the official Twitter account of the Chinese Embassy in Manila. 2005 02:09:13,960 --> 02:09:15,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: At kung ano-anong sinasabi nila. 2006 02:09:15,960 --> 02:09:17,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Tapos hindi niyo pa ma-confirm? 2007 02:09:17,960 --> 02:09:20,960 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: Your Honor, I have to clarify my previous answer. 2008 02:09:20,960 --> 02:09:23,960 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: According to our Asia Pacific office, this Twitter account is authentic. 2009 02:09:23,960 --> 02:09:28,100 DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva, Jr.: This Twitter account is authentic and is linked to the Chinese Embassy. 2010 02:09:28,100 --> 02:09:36,100 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay, so it's authentic. Ngayon, Mr. Chair, marami akong tanong dito, pero ititigil n'yo na yata ako, eh. 2011 02:09:36,100 --> 02:09:42,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Hindi po, Honorable Tinio, maybe because there are other members who are waiting. We will accommodate. 2012 02:09:43,720 --> 02:09:49,720 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: I'm sorry for putting it that way, Mr. Chair. Alam ko naman po. So I will just continue in the second round. 2013 02:09:49,720 --> 02:09:57,240 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Honorable Tinio. May we acknowledge the presence 2014 02:09:57,960 --> 02:10:03,640 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of um or a good congressman from the province of bukidnon who 2015 02:10:05,080 --> 02:10:10,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: has manifested not to interpolate anymore as long as she will get the commitment that a 2016 02:10:10,760 --> 02:10:18,360 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: consular office be constructed in her district, the Honorable Laarni Lavin Roque. 2017 02:10:20,510 --> 02:10:20,750 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: and 2018 02:10:21,070 --> 02:10:28,430 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Now we proceed with our next interpellator, the good congressman from Cagayan de Oro 2019 02:10:28,430 --> 02:10:30,390 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Honorable Rufus Rodriguez. Sir, you're, uh... 2020 02:10:30,390 --> 02:10:33,390 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, my fellow Mindanaon. 2021 02:10:35,470 --> 02:10:42,430 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: first of all i would like to greet our dfa officialdom and its attached agencies 2022 02:10:43,070 --> 02:10:49,150 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: led by secretary teslazaro i have read mr chairman 2023 02:10:49,150 --> 02:10:51,650 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: the various accomplishments 2024 02:10:51,650 --> 02:10:59,000 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: of the Department of Foreign Affairs. First, the protection of overseas Filipinos. 2025 02:10:59,000 --> 02:11:08,700 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: They protected our people overseas. Next is the consular services, bringing them closer to the people. 2026 02:11:08,700 --> 02:11:14,190 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Then we have the digital transformation of consular services 2027 02:11:14,190 --> 02:11:15,950 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: make it 2028 02:11:15,950 --> 02:11:16,990 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: faster 2029 02:11:16,990 --> 02:11:18,110 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: to serve 2030 02:11:18,110 --> 02:11:19,010 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: our people. And then 2031 02:11:19,010 --> 02:11:22,450 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: most importantly, the West Philippine Sea. 2032 02:11:22,450 --> 02:11:27,550 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: There's a statement in the report that the Philippines will remain steadfast in upholding 2033 02:11:27,550 --> 02:11:35,910 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: its interests in the West Philippine Sea, anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention 2034 02:11:35,910 --> 02:11:42,870 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: of the Loved Sea and the July 12, 2016 Arbitrar Award. 2035 02:11:42,870 --> 02:11:53,210 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: And all of this, we thank the strong, dedicated leadership of Secretary Tess Lazaro. 2036 02:11:53,210 --> 02:12:01,130 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: And because of that, because of these achievements, Mr. Chairman, this representation would like 2037 02:12:01,130 --> 02:12:10,250 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: to therefore manifest not only my support to the budget, but to ask the Honorable Secretary, 2038 02:12:10,250 --> 02:12:14,320 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: what else are you asking? 2039 02:12:14,320 --> 02:12:14,820 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Thank you very much. 2040 02:12:14,880 --> 02:12:20,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, Congressman Rodriguez, you've been very, very supportive of us from day 2041 02:12:20,520 --> 02:12:21,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: one. 2042 02:12:21,520 --> 02:12:26,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And the whole officialdom of the Department of Foreign Affairs really gives you our, I 2043 02:12:26,640 --> 02:12:30,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: would like to convey to you our deep appreciation. 2044 02:12:30,420 --> 02:12:34,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, you're asking for our wish list. 2045 02:12:34,240 --> 02:12:41,000 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Because last year we increased your budget, the judiciary, we increased it by 13 billion 2046 02:12:41,000 --> 02:12:43,120 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: because I am the one in charge there. 2047 02:12:43,120 --> 02:12:44,320 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Well, of course, in your case, we did. 2048 02:12:44,320 --> 02:12:51,900 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: So we know from you, your priority list, like the request of the Butuan, oh, no, sorry, 2049 02:12:51,900 --> 02:12:56,100 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: the request of the Bukidnon for Consular Office. 2050 02:12:56,100 --> 02:13:01,880 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: And then let me tell you that he will not anymore interpret the Congressman of Butuan 2051 02:13:01,880 --> 02:13:09,680 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: City, Joe Boy Aquino, and he has tasked me to ask you for vehicles for the Butuan Consular 2052 02:13:09,680 --> 02:13:10,680 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Offices. 2053 02:13:10,680 --> 02:13:11,680 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Is that approved also? 2054 02:13:11,680 --> 02:13:14,860 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Because the- 2055 02:13:14,860 --> 02:13:15,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: We are under the- 2056 02:13:15,860 --> 02:13:24,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, just to tell you, just to answer the vehicle, at this point of time, for 2027, 2057 02:13:24,640 --> 02:13:27,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we don't have a car fleet. 2058 02:13:27,980 --> 02:13:28,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: It is not in our- 2059 02:13:28,980 --> 02:13:35,100 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: We should put them, Mr. Chairman, because the Congressman of Butuan, my neighbor, has 2060 02:13:35,100 --> 02:13:36,100 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: requested that. 2061 02:13:36,100 --> 02:13:40,820 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: But how about the Bukidnon Consular Office, okay? 2062 02:13:40,820 --> 02:13:45,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I think this is also under review together with the- 2063 02:13:45,700 --> 02:13:45,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Um 2064 02:13:45,820 --> 02:13:50,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Nueva Ecija and that of Virac, Catanduanes. 2065 02:13:50,300 --> 02:13:55,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So we are, as I said, we are going to coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management 2066 02:13:55,700 --> 02:13:58,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to give us the necessary funds. But, Your Honor, 2067 02:13:58,500 --> 02:14:02,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we are very, very conscious of the requests of your 2068 02:14:02,100 --> 02:14:03,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: co-legislators. 2069 02:14:03,400 --> 02:14:06,700 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: And so what is the prioritization of the wish list? 2070 02:14:06,900 --> 02:14:08,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Okay, wish list. Thank you very much. 2071 02:14:08,500 --> 02:14:10,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: First of all, I'd like to give 2072 02:14:10,300 --> 02:14:15,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: very specific po to our Office of Fiscal Management, the first request on that wish list. 2073 02:14:15,820 --> 02:14:25,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So number one, 2074 02:14:25,000 --> 02:14:54,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: good afternoon, Your Honor. Among the requests being made by the DFA is the inclusion, again, of special provision on the exemption of our Chancery's consulates abroad from the requirement of a MICA so they could enter into a lease of up to five years. Yes. 2075 02:14:54,140 --> 02:14:58,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis: So, nasa JA na ho ito kahapon, wala lang, last year. 2076 02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:08,400 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: language for that can you submit that language that's correct next number two actually uh your 2077 02:15:08,400 --> 02:15:14,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: honor number two is really um which has been asked by uh congressman it's it's really the 2078 02:15:14,400 --> 02:15:21,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: issue of cyber security um because of the documentation that has been with us and we 2079 02:15:21,440 --> 02:15:28,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: have been receiving a good number of attacks and and that's why there has been that issue of the 2080 02:15:28,800 --> 02:15:37,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: high budget that we're requesting on cyber security we do receive um even not only a weekly 2081 02:15:37,600 --> 02:15:44,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but um i don't know how you called attacks or hacks because of the documentation particularly 2082 02:15:44,800 --> 02:15:51,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: because we're the chair of asean so um i think uh but uh congressman tino is requested for a list 2083 02:15:52,720 --> 02:15:58,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for a better understanding but we need that um your honor for our 2084 02:15:58,800 --> 02:16:00,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: cyber security needs 2085 02:16:00,640 --> 02:16:01,560 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: how much is the budget for that needed 2086 02:16:01,560 --> 02:16:02,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: how much? 2087 02:16:07,040 --> 02:16:09,880 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: If I may po, Madam Secretary, 10M 2088 02:16:09,880 --> 02:16:17,900 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: 10 million, very small. 2089 02:16:17,900 --> 02:16:22,340 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Um, it's really, um, 10 million. 2090 02:16:22,340 --> 02:16:25,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: 10 million, tama, puwede hong billion din naman kung billion, but 10 million. 2091 02:16:26,050 --> 02:16:30,610 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: actually um the reason why um this is really very important we're trying even to get 2092 02:16:32,210 --> 02:16:39,250 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this this infrastructure coming from estonia because it's it's really probably one of the best 2093 02:16:44,110 --> 02:16:52,910 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: mom our capital outlay was slashed by dbm by 500 million but i know it's asking too much 2094 02:16:52,910 --> 02:16:56,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: po. So if we may put 250 million. 2095 02:16:56,000 --> 02:16:57,000 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Security reduction? 2096 02:16:57,000 --> 02:16:59,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Yes sir, kasi po ini-slash po ng DBM all 2097 02:16:59,950 --> 02:17:07,390 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: ICT capital outlay. MOE lang po kami. Subscription lang po kami lahat. 2098 02:17:08,350 --> 02:17:11,550 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: but it's a very big amount for it's 511 million 2099 02:17:12,430 --> 02:17:15,400 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: What is the list that you can ask? 2100 02:17:15,400 --> 02:17:17,040 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: 250 million po. 2101 02:17:17,040 --> 02:17:20,190 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Okay, so we will put this here on record 250 2102 02:17:20,190 --> 02:17:23,360 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: million for cyber security what is the third one 2103 02:17:23,360 --> 02:17:27,630 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the third one uh your honor is um as time progresses 2104 02:17:28,190 --> 02:17:35,950 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and we have now an increasing number of foreign service establishments some of it is now i think 2105 02:17:35,950 --> 02:17:37,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the appropriate time for us to purchase some of it is now i think the appropriate time for us to purchase 2106 02:17:38,430 --> 02:17:45,950 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and those that we have purchased we need to maintain so if um your honors if you can visit 2107 02:17:45,950 --> 02:17:51,790 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: singapore or the philippine embassy in singapore it's a brand new building and then we're also now 2108 02:17:51,790 --> 02:17:57,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: looking at the many other posts because it is already um it's already there but we have to 2109 02:17:57,870 --> 02:18:04,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: maintain it in some of many times so that's that's um the third wish list uh your honor 2110 02:18:04,030 --> 02:18:07,710 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the maintenance and establishment and purchase of the 2111 02:18:08,510 --> 02:18:11,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And we want an increase in the building fund. 2112 02:18:11,500 --> 02:18:16,400 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: But you have a building fund, right? You just want augmentation? 2113 02:18:16,400 --> 02:18:36,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Yes, but we still need to continue with our building fund, Congressman, which is 1.4 billion for fiscal year 2027. That's the proposal. 2114 02:18:36,480 --> 02:18:40,760 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: It has been reduced considerably from the current year. For example, we have 1.75. 2115 02:18:40,760 --> 02:18:41,580 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: But because of 2116 02:18:42,300 --> 02:18:50,060 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: fiscal prudence for some of the figures have gone down but if we can increase it a little bit more 2117 02:18:50,060 --> 02:18:51,300 DFA Assistant Secretary Emilio T. Fernandez: we will be able to 2118 02:18:51,300 --> 02:18:56,060 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: how much for the building fund the augmentation they're all reasonable 2119 02:18:58,290 --> 02:19:07,330 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: we uh we were reduced by 300 million so if we could get one point uh for 1.4 plus 300 million 2120 02:19:07,330 --> 02:19:15,570 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: for next year that will give us more fiscal space to accomplish all the targets for our building 2121 02:19:15,570 --> 02:19:15,900 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: fund. 2122 02:19:15,900 --> 02:19:18,800 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: So you need, you already given 1.4 billion for next year? 2123 02:19:18,800 --> 02:19:21,200 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: 1.4 po yung NEP ho namin. 2124 02:19:21,200 --> 02:19:22,610 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Yes, that's right. So you're only 2125 02:19:22,610 --> 02:19:25,600 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: asking for additional 300 million. Is that correct? 2126 02:19:25,600 --> 02:19:28,600 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: If we can restore the 300 million. 2127 02:19:28,600 --> 02:19:30,050 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Yes, yes. 2128 02:19:30,050 --> 02:19:32,500 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Definitely, it's very very reasonable. 2129 02:19:32,500 --> 02:19:35,800 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: Okay sir, thank you po. Yun sir, that's our wish list. 2130 02:19:35,800 --> 02:19:36,610 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Okay, so very 2131 02:19:36,610 --> 02:19:38,210 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: reasonable, Mr. Chairman. 2132 02:19:38,210 --> 02:19:46,130 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: so uh we are therefore going to support this mr chairman and of course uh chairman mika is 2133 02:19:46,130 --> 02:19:52,210 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: coming here and uh the record will show that they need the special provision that is just 2134 02:19:52,770 --> 02:19:59,970 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: a provision in the uh in the jaa cyber security budget is only uh 250 million 2135 02:20:01,010 --> 02:20:05,700 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: and 300 for that no cyber security so much 2136 02:20:05,700 --> 02:20:06,500 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: for the building fund your honor 2137 02:20:06,500 --> 02:20:07,170 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: yeah no for the building 2138 02:20:07,330 --> 02:20:15,490 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: fund is about 300 million and then for the cyber security fund is 250. yeah mr chairman we are 2139 02:20:15,490 --> 02:20:22,850 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: saying therefore that the dfa is our face internationally and they have been doing a good 2140 02:20:22,850 --> 02:20:28,610 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: job i have been to many embassies they're so helpful to congressmen when we visit them 2141 02:20:28,610 --> 02:20:37,010 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: they are always working some i have given to the secretary the request for enlargement like australia 2142 02:20:37,650 --> 02:20:44,610 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: canberra the enlargement of the uh their consular offices mainly the consular offices because they 2143 02:20:44,610 --> 02:20:52,370 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: serve a lot of filipinos so uh i would say mr chairman that the wish list is reasonable 2144 02:20:53,010 --> 02:20:59,570 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: and so i am therefore would like to manifest that in the proper time 2145 02:21:00,610 --> 02:21:06,850 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: i will move for the uh not only the approval of the present budget of proposed by nep 2146 02:21:07,570 --> 02:21:14,530 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: of the uh dfa and no before that how about the attached agencies what are their requirements 2147 02:21:15,330 --> 02:21:22,210 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: let me tell you i support the visiting forces agreement i support more 2148 02:21:24,130 --> 02:21:37,090 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: at com our visiting forces sites i support tax silica tax silica is good for our country economically 2149 02:21:37,330 --> 02:21:43,410 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: for job employment and for income of our country so this representation believes in what the 2150 02:21:43,410 --> 02:21:53,090 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: executive has done tax silica visiting forces why because we have to deter china in its expansionary 2151 02:21:53,890 --> 02:22:05,730 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: designs so that is the my uh my view there so maybe no now from from the uh our uh our agencies what are their requirements 2152 02:22:07,570 --> 02:22:09,970 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: your honor i can simply say that i think 2153 02:22:11,490 --> 02:22:16,850 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: they're on standby but there's one particular request from the foreign service institute 2154 02:22:16,850 --> 02:22:25,249 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which is our training arm. 2155 02:22:25,249 --> 02:22:26,150 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Good friend. Please, you have the floor. 2156 02:22:35,310 --> 02:22:37,580 FSI Director General Neil Frank R. Ferrer: Thank you, Madam Secretary, and good afternoon, Your Honor. For the Foreign Service 2157 02:22:37,580 --> 02:22:44,940 FSI Director General Neil Frank R. Ferrer: Institute, we are, in our wish list, the only one, Your Honor, and that is the HMO, the health insurance 2158 02:22:44,940 --> 02:22:54,880 FSI Director General Neil Frank R. Ferrer: for the almost 100 personnel of the Institute, amounting to 6.5 million pesos only, Your Honor. 2159 02:22:54,880 --> 02:23:00,320 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: 6.5? So that's approved according to the Chairman. 2160 02:23:00,320 --> 02:23:02,240 FSI Director General Neil Frank R. Ferrer: Thank you so much, Your Honor. 2161 02:23:02,240 --> 02:23:03,140 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: So what else of the 2162 02:23:03,140 --> 02:23:12,490 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: agencies are you okay with others so that we have some fiscal space and dfa is very important that 2163 02:23:12,490 --> 02:23:16,800 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: we will have these are not even very big so uh 2164 02:23:16,800 --> 02:23:19,450 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: your honor the visiting forces agreement uh 2165 02:23:19,450 --> 02:23:30,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: presidential mission x no funding because uh the new uh agreements that we have right now 2166 02:23:30,940 --> 02:23:38,420 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: are still not not uh not operational in the sense that there are no activities yet scheduled for 2167 02:23:38,420 --> 02:23:40,620 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: those in with canada and new zealand 2168 02:23:40,620 --> 02:23:44,620 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: in the future you know what would you like to have more visiting 2169 02:23:44,620 --> 02:23:46,120 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: force agreements with many countries 2170 02:23:46,140 --> 02:23:47,160 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: i support that 2171 02:23:47,160 --> 02:23:52,640 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: yes sir what we would like to request though is uh to have some of the positions 2172 02:23:52,640 --> 02:23:58,580 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: of the office to become permanent because they're all of our staff except for myself 2173 02:23:58,580 --> 02:24:02,520 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: are contractual employees so 2174 02:24:02,520 --> 02:24:04,040 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: dbm right 2175 02:24:04,040 --> 02:24:08,240 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: yes yes sir so we are already requesting for that or 2176 02:24:08,240 --> 02:24:14,860 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: we'll request for that soon enough uh through our chairperson the secretary of foreign affairs 2177 02:24:14,860 --> 02:24:16,120 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: but that's 2178 02:24:16,140 --> 02:24:22,000 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: still have to be processed by the dbm as well probably next year uh 2179 02:24:22,000 --> 02:24:23,080 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: how many positions and 2180 02:24:23,080 --> 02:24:23,840 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: how much would you need 2181 02:24:23,840 --> 02:24:32,120 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: we're asking for uh 13 permanent positions yes so to to ensure the 2182 02:24:32,120 --> 02:24:38,440 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: continuity of the office in terms of the institutional knowledge that we have to retain 2183 02:24:38,440 --> 02:24:43,200 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: as well as fiduciary functions that need to be permanent 2184 02:24:43,200 --> 02:24:44,740 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: and how much would this entail the 2185 02:24:44,740 --> 02:24:45,940 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: expenses for the year 2186 02:24:46,140 --> 02:24:52,660 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: um well there are additional positions that we will still be requesting i think it will involve uh 2187 02:24:52,660 --> 02:24:56,120 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: a little more, a little less than three million additional for PS. 2188 02:24:56,120 --> 02:24:57,260 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Three million? 2189 02:24:57,260 --> 02:24:58,660 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Yes sir, but that is 2190 02:24:58,660 --> 02:25:01,500 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: still for the future, not this year. Well, 2191 02:25:01,500 --> 02:25:03,180 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: for now. Thank you, thank you. 2192 02:25:03,180 --> 02:25:05,000 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: We will also work for that. 2193 02:25:05,000 --> 02:25:14,160 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: Thank you very much, Secretary. Yeah, I'm going to wrap up, Mr. Chairman. 2194 02:25:14,160 --> 02:25:16,480 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: Sorry, sir, are you still asking for a wish list? 2195 02:25:16,860 --> 02:25:19,420 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: No, for the other attached agencies, because you have already 2196 02:25:19,820 --> 02:25:25,340 DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega: Wala na po. There's one which is our UNESCO National Commission, but we were informed that 2197 02:25:25,340 --> 02:25:33,100 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: so far they're good so finally may i request the honorable secretary to give us a letter addressed 2198 02:25:33,100 --> 02:25:40,780 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: to our chairperson mikas one singh on this dfa this is your need foreign service institute only 2199 02:25:40,780 --> 02:25:49,580 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: 6.5 bfa 3 million and then in your case it's about 350 million and the special provision if 2200 02:25:49,580 --> 02:25:57,260 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: this can be in writing because we will take it up i'm also vice chairman of the uh of preparations 2201 02:25:57,260 --> 02:26:02,540 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: and we will have a meeting of vice chairs and i will push for this because i believe in the 2202 02:26:02,540 --> 02:26:09,500 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: department of foreign affairs under your leadership and that is why we strongly promote this so mr 2203 02:26:09,500 --> 02:26:09,980 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: german 2204 02:26:10,780 --> 02:26:13,320 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: i move to terminate already 2205 02:26:13,320 --> 02:26:16,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: um honorable uh rufus uh 2206 02:26:16,720 --> 02:26:18,140 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: yeah because they have already 2207 02:26:18,140 --> 02:26:20,400 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: we have started already and uh 2208 02:26:20,400 --> 02:26:23,020 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: you know we'll ask our friends to ask in the plenary 2209 02:26:23,980 --> 02:26:28,780 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: because after all they will ask a couple of um our colleagues who wish to 2210 02:26:29,980 --> 02:26:35,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: interpellate, um, in this hearing, has not yet spoken. 2211 02:26:35,720 --> 02:26:37,900 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: I, I will, I will withdraw, but 2212 02:26:38,620 --> 02:26:40,620 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: it is really my stand 2213 02:26:40,780 --> 02:26:46,780 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: that we already already terminate these proceedings and already recommend 2214 02:26:47,340 --> 02:26:53,020 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: to the plenary your budget plus the wish list that you have so my thanks again secretary 2215 02:26:53,020 --> 02:26:57,420 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: lazaro thank you for the foreign service doing very well in this country and abroad thank you 2216 02:26:57,420 --> 02:27:02,380 Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez: very much thank you for all your support for the filipino people thank you very much mr german 2217 02:27:03,020 --> 02:27:10,220 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you honorable rufus rodriguez and uh thank you for um not moving for a motion to 2218 02:27:10,780 --> 02:27:19,180 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: increase their budget uh at this time otherwise our good colleague and co-sponsor here would be 2219 02:27:19,180 --> 02:27:30,860 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: oblig obliged to um gives uh allocate some of his budget and uh transfer it to the dfa proposed 2220 02:27:30,860 --> 02:27:37,740 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: budget nope and but uh thank you for the manifestation of course as sponsors we will fully 2221 02:27:37,740 --> 02:27:39,580 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: support that. And may we 2222 02:27:41,740 --> 02:27:42,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: remind 2223 02:27:42,840 --> 02:27:43,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the good 2224 02:27:43,840 --> 02:27:44,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: secretary that 2225 02:27:44,840 --> 02:27:53,840 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: our good chairperson Mikaela Suansing has set the deadline for the additional wish list 2226 02:27:53,840 --> 02:27:55,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: that would be 2227 02:27:55,820 --> 02:27:57,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: next week and 2228 02:27:57,820 --> 02:27:59,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: it should be properly 2229 02:27:59,820 --> 02:28:01,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: endorsed and signed po 2230 02:28:01,820 --> 02:28:03,820 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: by the good secretary 2231 02:28:04,940 --> 02:28:05,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: no, so 2232 02:28:05,340 --> 02:28:07,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Wednesday next week 2233 02:28:07,340 --> 02:28:09,420 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: by Wednesday next week po 2234 02:28:09,420 --> 02:28:10,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: and 2235 02:28:10,300 --> 02:28:10,700 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of 2236 02:28:10,780 --> 02:28:17,620 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: course uh you already have several vice chairpersons um behind you supporting for your 2237 02:28:17,620 --> 02:28:25,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: additional uh request for funding thank you our good colleague congressman rufus but mr chair 2238 02:28:25,760 --> 02:28:30,660 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: with your permission again i would like to reiterate on behalf of the department of foreign 2239 02:28:30,660 --> 02:28:37,080 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: affairs family our appreciation and thanks for the non-stop support and the full support 2240 02:28:37,080 --> 02:28:41,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of congressman rodriguez thank you very much sir 2241 02:28:41,000 --> 02:28:47,790 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: thank you and um and now we proceed uh 2242 02:28:47,790 --> 02:28:52,730 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: to the next interpolator the honorable sarah elago from the minority 2243 02:28:52,730 --> 02:28:55,930 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat, Mr. Chair. 2244 02:28:55,930 --> 02:29:08,690 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ilang mga paglilinaw mula sa representasyon ng Gabriela. Bakit ho napakaliit ng ating utilization rate pagdating sa pondo para sa Assistance to Nationals at Legal Assistance Fund? 2245 02:29:08,690 --> 02:29:11,000 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Napakaliit ho nito 2246 02:29:11,000 --> 02:29:25,490 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kumpara doon sa ating target at sa panahon pa na patong-patong ang krisis sa buong daigdig na nararanasan din ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino na nakatira at nagtatrabaho sa ibayong dagat. 2247 02:29:25,490 --> 02:29:30,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you, Your Honor. Ibibigay ko po ang makakasagot po, our Office of Migrant Affairs. 2248 02:29:30,800 --> 02:29:37,610 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, ma'am. Thank you for the question, honorable member. 2249 02:29:37,610 --> 02:29:39,190 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: the 2250 02:29:39,510 --> 02:29:47,530 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: the dfa atn fund used to fund many aspects of assistance to nationals including repatriation 2251 02:29:47,530 --> 02:29:56,210 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: welfare and so on for all filipinos who are in distress overseas and also the legal assistance 2252 02:29:56,210 --> 02:29:59,990 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: fund used to cover uh hiring of lawyers and 2253 02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:09,420 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: retainers for OFWs overseas, but with the establishment of RA11641 in 2023. 2254 02:30:09,420 --> 02:30:17,320 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Some of these functions, as mentioned, my colleague contributed to lower utilization 2255 02:30:17,320 --> 02:30:20,960 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: of the ATN fund. 2256 02:30:20,960 --> 02:30:27,420 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: And every year, the DMW establishes and opens more MWOs. 2257 02:30:27,420 --> 02:30:33,900 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: They become responsible for more OFWs across the world. 2258 02:30:33,900 --> 02:30:42,600 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: The DFA, though, continues to be responsible for countries where there are no MWOs, and 2259 02:30:42,600 --> 02:30:48,660 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: all over the world for the following categories, including tourists, pilgrims, students, permanent 2260 02:30:48,660 --> 02:30:50,940 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: residents, and dual citizens. 2261 02:30:50,940 --> 02:31:00,660 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: We continue to work, though, with the DMW where they are not, and hand-in-hand, we commit 2262 02:31:00,660 --> 02:31:07,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: our dedication to ensure that more Filipinos are protected all over the world. 2263 02:31:07,180 --> 02:31:08,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, ma'am. 2264 02:31:08,180 --> 02:31:13,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mr. Chair, how many countries have we not had a migrant workers' office? 2265 02:31:13,700 --> 02:31:20,400 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: You also gave a statement of the beneficiaries that we helped from the ATN fund and the LAF 2266 02:31:20,400 --> 02:31:20,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: fund. 2267 02:31:20,900 --> 02:31:30,620 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Can we know the number of requests from our foreign service posts that have come in, 2268 02:31:30,620 --> 02:31:40,300 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: asked for help, and asked for help from our nationals? 2269 02:31:40,300 --> 02:31:52,480 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Right now, there are 42 migrant workers' offices in 31 countries, which leaves about 67 embassies 2270 02:31:52,480 --> 02:31:54,940 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: without a migrant workers' office. 2271 02:31:54,940 --> 02:32:08,140 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: The ATN fund, as mentioned earlier, provides immediate assistance to distressed overseas 2272 02:32:08,140 --> 02:32:20,460 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: workers other than OFWs, and we have, for 2026, from January to July, extended assistance 2273 02:32:20,460 --> 02:32:23,500 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: to 2,884. 2274 02:32:23,500 --> 02:32:30,100 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: These are the number of beneficiaries of the ATN fund, including 387 for repatriation, 2275 02:32:30,100 --> 02:32:38,000 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: 559 for welfare assistance, medical assistance of 20, and 40 for shipment of remains, 2276 02:32:38,000 --> 02:32:42,700 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: including administrative expenses of ATN offices across the world. 2277 02:32:45,300 --> 02:32:55,980 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: This, however, we do not keep data on pending or reject denials, because we do not really 2278 02:32:55,980 --> 02:32:57,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: deny anything. 2279 02:32:57,860 --> 02:33:03,920 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: As long as they qualify under the rules, if they're not 2280 02:33:03,920 --> 02:33:19,850 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: ours or DMW, then we move to approve them. That's all, ma'am. 2281 02:33:19,850 --> 02:33:22,080 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mr. Chair, if 2282 02:33:22,080 --> 02:33:27,000 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: that is the case I'm for the six for the six to seven countries without migrant 2283 02:33:27,000 --> 02:33:32,660 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: workers office can we have a report on the approval rejection or the 2284 02:33:32,660 --> 02:33:40,040 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: non-qualification of a funding request are related to ATN and LAF apart from 2285 02:33:40,040 --> 02:33:44,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: that I'd also like to put on record a request for the full status report on 2286 02:33:44,600 --> 02:33:51,740 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: the ATN fund utilization including the balance of these funds the categories of 2287 02:33:51,740 --> 02:33:56,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: expenditures incurred the itemized description of the expenditure the 2288 02:33:56,180 --> 02:34:02,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: number of beneficiaries on a per expense basis as well as 2289 02:34:02,600 --> 02:34:02,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: other 2290 02:34:02,640 --> 02:34:12,960 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: data related to the concern of this representation now I'm moving on to the 2291 02:34:12,960 --> 02:34:20,080 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: concern on the very low turnout of the 2025 elections. Yung may kinalaman 2292 02:34:20,080 --> 02:34:26,520 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: naman posa napakababa na registration na registration ng ating mga kababayan 2293 02:34:26,520 --> 02:34:30,760 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa iba yung dagat ang sabi ko ng Comelec no kasi for the very first time 2294 02:34:30,760 --> 02:34:32,580 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: nitong 20-25 2295 02:34:32,580 --> 02:34:37,780 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: po bila po an agkaroon ng online voting and counting system pero ang 2296 02:34:37,780 --> 02:34:43,680 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: inaasahan po nila napagtaas hindi ho natin nakita na pakaliit at nagtanong 2297 02:34:43,680 --> 02:34:47,440 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ko ako sa kanila no kumusta ho ba yung efforts natin pagdating sa 2298 02:34:47,440 --> 02:34:53,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: awareness sa voters education information campaign ang sabi ho nila 2299 02:34:53,640 --> 02:34:58,260 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ang pagpaparehistro daw ko ay nasa responsibilidad ng DfA 2300 02:34:58,260 --> 02:35:01,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ba kayo magulat tungkol dito? 2301 02:35:01,020 --> 02:35:07,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, gusto ko lang po sabihin na totoo, it's a concern. 2302 02:35:07,440 --> 02:35:12,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Siguro what happened during the 2022 elections, it is not a presidential election. 2303 02:35:13,100 --> 02:35:15,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So nagkakaiba ho yung numbers eh. 2304 02:35:15,700 --> 02:35:17,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Pag presidential elections mas marami. 2305 02:35:18,560 --> 02:35:23,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Pero pag hindi presidential elections, it's not that many. 2306 02:35:23,360 --> 02:35:25,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Pero marami pong mga, there are many reasons. 2307 02:35:25,840 --> 02:35:29,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: In fact, what we have just done, we have a meeting. 2308 02:35:29,900 --> 02:35:38,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: We had a meeting with the Comelec, and we established a technical working group 2309 02:35:38,060 --> 02:35:44,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to really determine anong capacity of our foreign service establishments 2310 02:35:44,520 --> 02:35:51,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: in trying to get more, not only awareness, but to really make people not only register. 2311 02:35:52,140 --> 02:35:55,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Sometimes they all register pagdating sa voting time. 2312 02:35:56,280 --> 02:35:58,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: They do not do it. 2313 02:35:58,520 --> 02:35:59,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: They're not doing what is... 2314 02:35:59,900 --> 02:36:01,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: what they should be doing. 2315 02:36:01,400 --> 02:36:05,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And it's really various reasons. 2316 02:36:05,940 --> 02:36:12,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: In fact, Your Honor, if we can give you a paper on the many aspects, on the reasons 2317 02:36:12,900 --> 02:36:20,320 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: why there is such a difficulty in gaining or rather getting these people to vote. 2318 02:36:21,060 --> 02:36:29,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I'll just tell you about the technical, pwede na sana yung online voting. 2319 02:36:29,900 --> 02:36:31,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Pero totoo lang, Your Honor, 2320 02:36:31,400 --> 02:36:35,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: marami naman ding Jurassic at maraming elderly 2321 02:36:35,200 --> 02:36:42,460 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: who cannot perform also the function, especially so in many of the European countries that have been there 2322 02:36:42,460 --> 02:36:43,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: for quite some time. 2323 02:36:43,860 --> 02:36:45,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So it's various. 2324 02:36:45,160 --> 02:36:46,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: It depends on the region. 2325 02:36:46,420 --> 02:36:48,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: It depends on the area. 2326 02:36:48,140 --> 02:36:50,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Of course, in the Middle East, there are young people still there. 2327 02:36:50,860 --> 02:36:57,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But in many other areas, all of us that have been assigned abroad had that kind of difficulties. 2328 02:36:57,620 --> 02:36:58,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But we prefer that we put it... 2329 02:36:58,900 --> 02:37:08,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: put it in a paper for a more succinct details of the of this of the situation 2330 02:37:08,620 --> 02:37:13,300 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: and overseas voting mr. chairman carnavon the para reto 2331 02:37:13,300 --> 02:37:17,720 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ngayong taon at susunod a bilang paghahanda no susunod na eleksyon 2332 02:37:17,720 --> 02:37:22,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: siyempre na is naman ho natin mapataas yung makakapag parehistro at yung 2333 02:37:22,600 --> 02:37:27,040 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: makakapag enroll dun sa sistema no kasi abago lang ho sa marami nating mga 2334 02:37:27,040 --> 02:37:31,720 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: filipinos na nagtatrabaho at nakatira overseas yung magpaparegister ka tas 2335 02:37:31,720 --> 02:37:36,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kailangan mo pa palang mag enroll para makaboto dun sa bagong sistema 2336 02:37:36,700 --> 02:37:41,380 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ah kamusta ho ang ating pondo para rito kasi ah kung sa comelec ho yan maliit ang 2337 02:37:41,380 --> 02:37:45,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: pondo nila na may kinalaman sa overseas voting nais po natin kumustahin kung sa 2338 02:37:45,820 --> 02:37:51,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: parte naman ng DFA meron ba tayong sapat na pondo para maabot yung napakarami 2339 02:37:51,100 --> 02:37:55,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: hong jurisdiction na kailangan nating mabigyan ng impormasyon ng ating mga 2340 02:37:55,100 --> 02:37:55,980 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kababayan 2341 02:37:55,980 --> 02:37:57,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ang 2342 02:37:57,020 --> 02:38:03,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Ang the amount is 44.5 million pesos. This was what it was last year and ito 2343 02:38:03,500 --> 02:38:08,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: rin naman its maintained the same amount but of course 2028 is presidential 2344 02:38:08,900 --> 02:38:15,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: election so nakikita na may a lot of interest from our OFW's and other 2345 02:38:15,380 --> 02:38:16,250 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: migrants. 2346 02:38:16,250 --> 02:38:17,920 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mr. Chair, 2347 02:38:17,940 --> 02:38:23,540 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: hingin na lang po natin yung detalye din ng plano na paggastos 2348 02:38:23,960 --> 02:38:39,860 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: nito sa ating mga kababayan. At kung meron na rin kayong mga ilulunsad na konsultasyon kung paano natin matitiyak na mahahabol yung mga hindi pa nakakapagparehistro at maitulak na rin yung tulad ng sinabi ninyo, iba pang option sa pagboto. 2349 02:38:40,100 --> 02:38:47,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Yung pagbementain ng mga traditional means na in-person voting or yung by post ay magawa pa rin natin kasabay nung online. 2350 02:38:47,700 --> 02:39:04,800 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ngayon naman, Mr. Chair, tungkol sa visiting forces, sa balikatan exercises, meron hong mga fishing ban na ipatupad na kaugnay ng balikatan exercises. 2351 02:39:04,800 --> 02:39:16,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Lalong-lalo na ngayong taon, meron ho, asang-ayon sa mga grupo ng mga registered fisher folk, nasa at least 4,800 mangingisda ho yung naapektuhan ng mga fishing ban na ito. 2352 02:39:16,900 --> 02:39:37,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: So, ano po ba ang nagiging usapan pagdating dito? May kinukuha po bang pondo halimbawa sa pondo ninyo para matulungan naman ho yung ating mga small-scale fisher folk na makuha pa rin yung kanilang days worth of catch or income dahil po sa epekto ng fishing ban na ito? 2353 02:39:38,100 --> 02:39:46,740 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: When it comes to things like this, itong mga fishing bans sa mga areas where exercises are conducted, 2354 02:39:46,900 --> 02:39:52,980 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: yung AFP coordinates with the local government and also DSWD as far as we know. 2355 02:39:53,460 --> 02:40:03,300 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: We only coordinate with them kasi ang monitoring namin is purely on the activities of the visiting forces and our forces during exercises. 2356 02:40:03,300 --> 02:40:08,340 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: So, we coordinate with them and ask them what they are doing. 2357 02:40:09,080 --> 02:40:16,260 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: And if I remember correctly, they actually coordinate with the local government, also DSWD. 2358 02:40:16,900 --> 02:40:29,540 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: And also sometimes the U.S. forces also provide assistance to these fishing communities para maibisan yung days na hindi sila makapangisda. 2359 02:40:30,320 --> 02:40:38,540 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: So, the data I think is available from these agencies, particularly yung AFP. 2360 02:40:39,320 --> 02:40:39,920 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat. 2361 02:40:39,920 --> 02:40:45,420 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Sa amin kasi hindi namin nakaka-capture yung actual data as to how many were helped, but we can ask. 2362 02:40:45,420 --> 02:40:55,760 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mainam ko maitanong ito ng ating komisyon dahil nagtanong ko tayo sa DND, zero budget daw para rito. 2363 02:40:56,160 --> 02:40:58,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Nagtanong tayo sa BFAR, zero budget din para rito. 2364 02:40:59,580 --> 02:41:06,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Itatanong pa lang natin sa DSWD, pero hindi po biro yung nasa apat na libo na mga mangingisda. 2365 02:41:06,680 --> 02:41:10,240 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: And marami nga po dito mga maliliit na mangingisda. 2366 02:41:10,240 --> 02:41:15,240 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Kaya bawat araw na hindi sila nakakapagpalaot, malaki ang efekto. 2367 02:41:15,420 --> 02:41:17,060 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Sa kanilang kalagayan. 2368 02:41:17,500 --> 02:41:26,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: At maari ho bang mapag-aralan din natin yung konsiderasyon na isa sakripisyo ba natin yung interest ng mga mangingisda 2369 02:41:26,360 --> 02:41:37,520 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa isa, dalawa, tatlong araw na hindi po sila makakapanghuli doon sa interest din para dito sa pagpapatupad ng VFA 2370 02:41:37,520 --> 02:41:40,160 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: or paglulunsad ng balikatang exercises. 2371 02:41:40,160 --> 02:41:42,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Sa tingin ko ho, dapat ang ating posisyon. 2372 02:41:42,940 --> 02:41:51,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Unang-una natin bibigyan ng prioridad, yung interest ng Pilipino, interest ng ating mga maliliit na mga mangingisda. 2373 02:41:51,820 --> 02:41:57,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Kaya ho, aabangan ho namin ang isusumitin niyong ulat tungkol sa usapin na ito. 2374 02:41:57,820 --> 02:42:02,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Bilang panghuli na lang, Mr. Chair, tungkol lang ho. 2375 02:42:02,820 --> 02:42:10,820 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Sa totoo lang po, nagkakaroon po tayo ng mga coordination meetings, including local governments. 2376 02:42:10,820 --> 02:42:12,820 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: And from time to time, 2377 02:42:12,940 --> 02:42:15,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: there are local communities involved as well. 2378 02:42:15,940 --> 02:42:23,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: At doon, kung hindi man kasama yung mga affected communities, whether farming or fishing communities, 2379 02:42:23,940 --> 02:42:28,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: ini-inform din po namin actually ang armed forces and other agencies regarding this 2380 02:42:28,940 --> 02:42:36,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: para malaman nila na merong effect ito sa ating mga kababayang mangingisda at magsasak. 2381 02:42:36,940 --> 02:42:42,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: So yung armed forces naman po, nakikipag-usap sa DSW. 2382 02:42:42,940 --> 02:42:54,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Ang pagkaalam ko, and sometimes sa local government, regarding itong issue ng nawawalang hanap buhay nila for a few days. 2383 02:42:54,940 --> 02:43:06,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: And I think they are, yung AFP in particular, and sometimes even the U.S. armed forces, provides assistance to these communities and these fisherfolk and farmers. 2384 02:43:06,940 --> 02:43:11,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: So iuulitin po namin yan palagi once we do yung ating coordinating conference. 2385 02:43:11,940 --> 02:43:17,940 PCVF Executive Director Antonio Atanacio Habulan: Or meetings with all stakeholders involved dito sa mga exercise. 2386 02:43:17,940 --> 02:43:20,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat po sa update. 2387 02:43:20,940 --> 02:43:27,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: At ihahapag din natin ang katanungan na ito sa DSWD para po mabigay ng linaw ang representasyon na ito. 2388 02:43:27,940 --> 02:43:40,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ngayon naman po, Mr. Chair, tungkol sa war assets sa Japan na identified po bilang parte ng Japanese war reparations. 2389 02:43:41,940 --> 02:43:48,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Yung apat po na government properties natin, ano po yung current market value ng mga properties na ito? 2390 02:43:48,940 --> 02:43:58,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Magkano ang kinikita? Saan napupunta? Napupunta po ba ito sa Maharlika Investment Fund? Ano po bang agencies ang nag-a-administer nito? 2391 02:43:58,940 --> 02:44:06,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: DFA po ba? At may nakaalat po ba sa NAP 2027 para sa mga properties na ito? 2392 02:44:06,940 --> 02:44:09,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I can refer to our Assistant Secretary for the properties. 2393 02:44:09,940 --> 02:44:18,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Thank you, Madam Secretary. 2394 02:44:18,440 --> 02:44:21,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Your Honor, we have five properties in Japan. 2395 02:44:21,440 --> 02:44:30,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: And the management is really taken, the maintenance of these properties would be undertaken by our embassies and our consulates. 2396 02:44:30,440 --> 02:44:39,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: But as to the general authority on the projects that could be undertaken lies with BAC Japan. 2397 02:44:39,440 --> 02:44:40,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: BAC Japan. 2398 02:44:40,440 --> 02:44:46,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua: Madam, your Honor is chaired by the Department of Finance. 2399 02:44:46,440 --> 02:44:57,190 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat, Mr. Chair. Then we will propound our questions related to this before the Department of Finance. 2400 02:44:57,190 --> 02:44:58,190 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Thank you, Mr. Chair. 2401 02:44:58,190 --> 02:44:59,190 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you. 2402 02:44:59,190 --> 02:45:00,600 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Maraming salamat po sa DFA. 2403 02:45:00,600 --> 02:45:07,280 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the honorable sarah elago and now we proceed to our second round of interpellations um the 2404 02:45:07,280 --> 02:45:16,800 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: honorable antonio tino sir you have uh you have the floor and you have um all the time that uh 2405 02:45:16,800 --> 02:45:27,760 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: you need of course i i i believe uh our resource persons from the department of foreign affairs 2406 02:45:27,760 --> 02:45:33,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: have prepared uh their uh responses to their queries so sir you are recognized 2407 02:45:33,500 --> 02:45:34,640 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: thank you chair 2408 02:45:35,360 --> 02:45:44,560 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: um well uh chair uh unang tanong ko kanina i raised the matter about the chinese embassy's 2409 02:45:45,200 --> 02:45:47,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Twitter account. Babalikan natin 'yon. Um, punta muna ako doon sa 2410 02:45:52,880 --> 02:45:56,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: rotation and resupply missions 2411 02:45:57,760 --> 02:46:03,400 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa Ayungin Shoal. Um, alam natin yung nangyari doon. 2412 02:46:03,400 --> 02:46:15,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Before—was it 2024? During 2024, mainit 'yan. Every month nasa media na ire-resupply, haharangin and so on. Nag-escalate, umabot sa punto na may 2413 02:46:15,800 --> 02:46:27,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sundalo tayong naputulan ng hinlalaki. Tapos nag-usap ang DFA at ang China, and now 2414 02:46:27,760 --> 02:46:30,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: palagin may bina bangit na meron daw provisional agreement 2415 02:46:31,840 --> 02:46:38,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: uh between the philippine government or the philippine government and china or the dfa 2416 02:46:38,880 --> 02:46:42,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and and the chinese embassy 2417 02:46:43,280 --> 02:46:51,520 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pag tinatanong kahit si Secretary Teodoro sa media, sinasabi niya, wala akong alam 2418 02:46:51,520 --> 02:46:57,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: na provisional agreement parang dinidinay ng isang uh bahagi ng 2419 02:46:57,760 --> 02:47:04,930 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: administration no so um 2420 02:47:04,930 --> 02:47:11,190 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ano ba, meron ba talagang provisional agreement? Is this a secret agreement? 2421 02:47:11,190 --> 02:47:19,110 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: could you set the record straight on this provisional agreement once and for 2422 02:47:19,110 --> 02:47:20,300 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: all thank you 2423 02:47:20,300 --> 02:47:24,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: um your honor to answer the 2424 02:47:24,030 --> 02:47:26,670 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: question once and for all to determine if there 2425 02:47:26,670 --> 02:47:30,510 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is such a provisional agreement or understanding i think we 2426 02:47:30,510 --> 02:47:34,350 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: have to refer to the statement made by the president 2427 02:47:34,350 --> 02:47:38,830 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: during the folk up meeting a few days ago or rather two weeks ago 2428 02:47:38,830 --> 02:47:43,310 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the president made the pronouncement that the provisional understanding 2429 02:47:43,310 --> 02:47:49,630 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is uh something that um that that really helps um 2430 02:47:49,630 --> 02:47:55,470 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: i just want to i just want to have the exact quotation 2431 02:47:55,550 --> 02:47:56,510 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the president said 2432 02:47:56,670 --> 02:48:02,910 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that these arrangements that we make are to prevent any kind of miscalculation 2433 02:48:02,910 --> 02:48:06,230 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: mistake that might lead to an even greater tension 2434 02:48:06,230 --> 02:48:11,150 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and hopefully not conflict this does not somehow make us more vulnerable 2435 02:48:11,150 --> 02:48:17,230 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: or give us any of our sovereign rights any of our territorial claims and our 2436 02:48:17,230 --> 02:48:20,210 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: well-recognized territory, especially under UNCLOS, 2437 02:48:20,210 --> 02:48:23,430 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: you know and under the arbitral awards nothing 2438 02:48:23,430 --> 02:48:26,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: of that has been weakened in any way 2439 02:48:26,670 --> 02:48:31,070 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: or form. It does not weaken our position in any way in terms of the 2440 02:48:31,070 --> 02:48:36,350 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: arbitral award unglos and our exercise of sovereign rights or our defense of our 2441 02:48:36,350 --> 02:48:42,030 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: territory quote unquote and that is the statement made during the folk meeting 2442 02:48:42,830 --> 02:48:46,830 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: so that was the statement made by the president where he refers to arrangements 2443 02:48:47,950 --> 02:48:55,870 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: that do not compromise the position or stand of the philippines with respect to a young intro all 2444 02:48:55,870 --> 02:48:56,510 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the west philippines 2445 02:48:56,670 --> 02:49:08,070 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay, ngayon, pero the Chinese side keeps on referring to a provisional agreement with the Philippines on the humanitarian resupply of living necessities. 2446 02:49:09,450 --> 02:49:17,450 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: If the Philippine side attempts to deliver construction materials and build fixed facilities or a permanent outpost, 2447 02:49:17,450 --> 02:49:25,950 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the Chinese side will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with laws and regulations. 2448 02:49:26,670 --> 02:49:39,890 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, sa panig nila, ito, this is from Zhang Xiaogang of the Chinese, China's presumably foreign ministry, 2449 02:49:41,730 --> 02:49:48,130 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: as published on the Chinese Embassy Manila Twitter account. It's from the MND. 2450 02:49:49,470 --> 02:49:54,610 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, we have responded to that accordingly in stating. 2451 02:49:54,930 --> 02:49:55,890 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And during, I remember I mentioned... 2452 02:49:56,670 --> 02:50:04,490 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: We made a statement at the last day of the ASEAN ministerial meeting last July that there is no such thing 2453 02:50:04,490 --> 02:50:10,930 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and there was never any reference to construction materials in the provisional arrangement. 2454 02:50:11,370 --> 02:50:12,290 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: There's none whatsoever. 2455 02:50:12,290 --> 02:50:14,290 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, there is a provisional arrangement. 2456 02:50:16,610 --> 02:50:25,290 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Sinasabi nyo walang ganong anumang provision regarding prohibition of... 2457 02:50:26,670 --> 02:50:29,230 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: bringing construction materials and so on. 2458 02:50:30,990 --> 02:50:36,450 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Can you then disclose what are the provisions of this arrangement? 2459 02:50:38,540 --> 02:50:43,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: What... I can give you some basic points that were... 2460 02:50:43,860 --> 02:50:44,460 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Yes, please. 2461 02:50:44,460 --> 02:50:49,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: That in that, one, there is no... that it is without prejudice. 2462 02:50:49,500 --> 02:50:57,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: The provisional arrangement is without prejudice to our existing positions as, of course, in UNCLOS, as well as in the... 2463 02:50:57,380 --> 02:50:58,880 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Arbitral Award. 2464 02:50:59,800 --> 02:51:06,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Second, this is just an information exchange, meaning, but I have to give you that information that this provisional arrangement, 2465 02:51:06,800 --> 02:51:13,880 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: kami lang po ay pinagkatiwalaan na mag-negotiate, but this is now, the operational side is with the armed forces. 2466 02:51:13,880 --> 02:51:14,380 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. 2467 02:51:14,380 --> 02:51:18,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: WESTCOM is in charge of that, as well as the Coast Guard. 2468 02:51:18,160 --> 02:51:18,660 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Mm-hmm. 2469 02:51:18,660 --> 02:51:24,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, it is just an information exchange, and there is no permission that is being asked, and we are very emphatic to that. 2470 02:51:24,920 --> 02:51:25,420 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Mm-hmm. 2471 02:51:25,420 --> 02:51:26,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And what is being done is only the... 2472 02:51:26,920 --> 02:51:28,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: daily necessities. 2473 02:51:28,500 --> 02:51:36,960 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So, that's why RO is for rotation, RE is for provisioning of the necessities, and that is the essence of RO-RE. 2474 02:51:36,960 --> 02:51:46,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: And, Your Honor, I just want to tell you that we had already 16 RO-RES in two years without incident. 2475 02:51:46,040 --> 02:51:56,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Um, ako, I recognize na talaga naman na mula nung nagkaroon ng usapan, ay... 2476 02:51:58,440 --> 02:52:03,540 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nawala na yung mainit na sitwasyon sa Ayungin Shoal. 2477 02:52:03,540 --> 02:52:06,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Totoo naman 'yun, di ba? As you said, 2478 02:52:06,280 --> 02:52:08,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: since 2024, 2479 02:52:09,360 --> 02:52:17,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: up to now, apparently, as you said, 16 RORE missions have been conducted 2480 02:52:17,060 --> 02:52:27,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: successfully, seemingly without any incidents. So walang duda 'yon, pero 2481 02:52:27,200 --> 02:52:33,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ang gusto lang natin malinaw, ano ba talaga yung naging terms nung 2482 02:52:33,060 --> 02:52:41,100 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nung arrangement and you said information exchange information 2483 02:52:41,100 --> 02:52:46,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: exchange to this is about rotation so ibig sabihin palitan ng tropa siguro 2484 02:52:46,440 --> 02:52:52,140 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ang ibig sabihin niya ano no personnel pangatlo resupply so your term is 2485 02:52:52,140 --> 02:53:04,780 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: necessities reprovisioning of necessities food water telephone yes fuel fuel okay 2486 02:53:04,780 --> 02:53:12,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: could you be more specific on information exchange the information exchange every 2487 02:53:12,880 --> 02:53:16,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: time there is a situation it will be coming from 2488 02:53:16,160 --> 02:53:16,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: you know 2489 02:53:16,440 --> 02:53:23,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the westcom the afp that there will be it's time to provide them with their 2490 02:53:23,020 --> 02:53:28,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: necessities or whatever they're the only ones who can determine that and the only 2491 02:53:28,820 --> 02:53:38,340 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: information is that we just exchange information that that there is such a boat or a vehicle that 2492 02:53:38,340 --> 02:53:44,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: will be going to that area it's basically that and they will tell us also which vessels will 2493 02:53:44,700 --> 02:53:46,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: be present in during that 2494 02:53:46,440 --> 02:53:52,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: time so you information exchange kayo po dumata ang sinyo or is this basically 2495 02:53:52,040 --> 02:54:00,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: we where we are informed and then we tell and we exchange this information with the 2496 02:54:00,060 --> 02:54:03,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: counterpart with the where I'll be the minister of foreign affairs 2497 02:54:03,740 --> 02:54:13,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay, noted. So sige po, thank you for clarifying kung ano nga ba ang 2498 02:54:13,320 --> 02:54:16,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nilalaman at 2499 02:54:16,060 --> 02:54:24,780 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: mga detalye ng provisional arrangement na ito. Okay. Now next, again I go to that Twitter account. 2500 02:54:24,780 --> 02:54:35,550 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: so kinumpirman niyo po na chinese embassy ito um gayon ang concern po natin ay regular halos 2501 02:54:35,550 --> 02:54:42,050 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: araw-araw naglalabas ang chinese embassy through this twitter account ng iba't-ibang mga pahayag 2502 02:54:42,050 --> 02:54:50,990 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: regarding the west philippine sea issue and these statements are uh you know the opposite 2503 02:54:50,990 --> 02:55:02,420 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: of diplomatic they are inflammatory for example uh ito this is august 31 chinese embassy manila 2504 02:55:02,420 --> 02:55:09,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: twitter account or x account repeating the words quote final and binding cannot transform an illegal 2505 02:55:09,980 --> 02:55:14,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and invalid quote award into international consent 2506 02:55:15,000 --> 02:55:22,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nor can it turn the award into a license for infringement or provocation china's position 2507 02:55:22,900 --> 02:55:29,300 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: on the south china sea arbitration has been clear consistent and firm the arbitration violates 2508 02:55:29,300 --> 02:55:37,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: fundamental principles of international law etc etc napakahaba po nyan and this is uh signed by 2509 02:55:37,440 --> 02:55:44,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: well at least attributed to deputy spokesperson of the chinese embassy woe way okay tapos meron 2510 02:55:44,980 --> 02:55:52,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: pa siyang picture this is in response to a apparently a post by admiral tariela of the coast guard 2511 02:55:52,980 --> 02:56:02,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: tapos merong malaking um the words in red repeat false narratives mislead the public stir up 2512 02:56:02,800 --> 02:56:09,800 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: confrontation so typical po yan ng mga pahayag halos araw-araw ng chinese embassy na talagang 2513 02:56:09,800 --> 02:56:14,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: tahas ang tinatawag na um false narrative 2514 02:56:14,980 --> 02:56:21,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ang posisyon ng filipinas uh regarding the arbitral award peke yung award walang basis 2515 02:56:21,680 --> 02:56:33,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: um and that we mga filipinos are misleading the public no so um ano pong kinagawa ng dfa 2516 02:56:33,680 --> 02:56:42,740 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: why has the dfa been silent all this time samantalang itong embassy ng china ay walang 2517 02:56:42,740 --> 02:56:44,820 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: patid tuloy-tuloy na 2518 02:56:44,980 --> 02:56:46,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nagpapahayag ng ganito 2519 02:56:46,960 --> 02:56:54,020 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: uh nang walang anumang sagot mula sa dfa 2520 02:56:54,020 --> 02:56:59,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: sasagutin po namin yan i'll refer this to the assistant secretary for asia pacific affairs 2521 02:56:59,800 --> 02:57:02,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: He's in charge of China. 2522 02:57:02,500 --> 02:57:09,790 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Before we proceed, the Chair would like to 2523 02:57:09,790 --> 02:57:17,230 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Before you answer, tanong ko lang po kayo mga professionals of the Foreign Service. 2524 02:57:17,730 --> 02:57:24,510 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Yes, but before that I would like to acknowledge the presence of our great Deputy Speaker 2525 02:57:24,510 --> 02:57:30,690 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Bambi Emano and our Vice Chair, the Honorable Maria Isabel Sagarbarria. 2526 02:57:30,690 --> 02:57:32,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: You may proceed. 2527 02:57:32,300 --> 02:57:34,610 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Yes, before you answer, 2528 02:57:34,610 --> 02:57:36,690 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: yun pa 'yung tanong ko. Kayo nga, lahat kayo, mga 2529 02:57:37,270 --> 02:57:40,290 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: You know uh professionals of the foreign service as i said 2530 02:57:41,090 --> 02:57:44,430 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: normal po ba 'yan na ang isang spokesperson 2531 02:57:44,430 --> 02:57:53,310 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ng embassy ng isang foreign mission ay bumabanat ng ganyan sa mga patakaran ng host country 2532 02:57:53,310 --> 02:57:57,070 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: of course there will always be disagreements between nations pero 2533 02:57:59,150 --> 02:58:04,510 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: kaya nga tinatawag na diplomasya e diba so is this does this 2534 02:58:04,510 --> 02:58:15,950 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: uh um um leave up to standards of diplomacy yung ganitong asal ng mga 2535 02:58:17,710 --> 02:58:20,830 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: official ng Chinese Embassy dito sa Manila? 2536 02:58:20,830 --> 02:58:23,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Asec, please respond. 2537 02:58:23,300 --> 02:58:24,430 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: With the permission of the Secretary, 2538 02:58:24,430 --> 02:58:33,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: uh mr chair uh your honor um the dfa po na notice na po naman na dfa uh yung uh the approach of the 2539 02:58:33,070 --> 02:58:34,510 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: chinese embassy when making progress 2540 02:58:34,510 --> 02:58:40,190 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: public statements with regard to their position and their narrative on the west philippine sea 2541 02:58:40,190 --> 02:58:45,070 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and south china sea issues and certainly uh from the from the dfa's uh 2542 02:58:46,830 --> 02:58:49,870 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: mandate we have also raised this with the chinese embassy 2543 02:58:53,470 --> 02:58:59,630 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: there are better fora for the exchange of positions uh on the west philippines and south 2544 02:58:59,630 --> 02:59:04,110 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: china sea issues and uh kami po ang paniwala po namin is that 2545 02:59:04,510 --> 02:59:10,910 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the proper forum is between foreign ministries and between diplomatic representatives to argue and 2546 02:59:10,910 --> 02:59:15,950 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: debate about our respective positions on the south china sea unfortunately po uh 2547 02:59:15,950 --> 02:59:22,830 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: ang approach nila e hindi palaging ganoon at ginagamit nga po nila ang ang ang public 2548 02:59:23,470 --> 02:59:29,470 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: ang ang media at ang social media upang mai mailahad ang kanilang posisyon 2549 02:59:30,910 --> 02:59:34,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Meron naman pong mga pagkakataon na yung DFA 2550 02:59:34,500 --> 02:59:46,190 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: sinasagot sila, lalo na po kung talagang taliwas sa katotohanan yung posisyon na kanilang inilalahad tungkol sa arbitral award o tungkol doon sa ating mga aksyon sa West Philippine Sea. 2551 02:59:46,650 --> 02:59:49,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: At hindi naman po nagkukulang ang DFA pagdating doon. 2552 02:59:51,190 --> 02:59:59,710 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Minsan lang po, may mga statement sila na hindi na ho namin masyadong 2553 03:00:00,000 --> 03:00:01,540 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: pinapatulan kasi 2554 03:00:01,540 --> 03:00:03,300 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: paulit-ulit po kasi yung 2555 03:00:03,300 --> 03:00:05,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: arguments at wala namang 2556 03:00:05,520 --> 03:00:07,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: bago at lagi naman po namin 2557 03:00:07,480 --> 03:00:10,040 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: sinasagot po yun in the proper 2558 03:00:10,040 --> 03:00:11,980 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: fora which is through diplomatic 2559 03:00:11,980 --> 03:00:13,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: representation. 2560 03:00:13,000 --> 03:00:13,400 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. 2561 03:00:13,620 --> 03:00:15,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Hindi pinapatulan ng DFA pero 2562 03:00:15,760 --> 03:00:17,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: unfortunately pinapatulan ng ibang mga 2563 03:00:17,700 --> 03:00:20,120 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: opisyal ng administrasyon. 2564 03:00:20,540 --> 03:00:21,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So for example, there has been 2565 03:00:21,900 --> 03:00:23,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: an ongoing running gun battle 2566 03:00:23,760 --> 03:00:25,860 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: between the Chinese embassy 2567 03:00:25,860 --> 03:00:28,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and I think the Department 2568 03:00:28,000 --> 03:00:29,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: of National Defense. 2569 03:00:29,320 --> 03:00:31,560 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Di ba? Ngayon ang issue 2570 03:00:31,560 --> 03:00:32,720 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ay tungkol dun sa 2571 03:00:32,720 --> 03:00:35,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: parang raid 2572 03:00:35,040 --> 03:00:37,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: dun sa Fividec Industrial 2573 03:00:37,240 --> 03:00:37,820 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Estate. 2574 03:00:39,360 --> 03:00:40,840 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And of course yung kay 2575 03:00:40,840 --> 03:00:43,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Tariela ng Philippine Coast Guard 2576 03:00:43,240 --> 03:00:45,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Admiral Tariela that has been going 2577 03:00:45,320 --> 03:00:46,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: on for so long as well. 2578 03:00:47,700 --> 03:00:49,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So nagpapatuloy 2579 03:00:49,340 --> 03:00:51,140 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sabi nyo sinabihan nyo na 2580 03:00:51,140 --> 03:00:53,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: anong forma po yan? Sinabihan nyo na 2581 03:00:53,080 --> 03:00:55,180 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and hindi ba kung sinabihan nyo na 2582 03:00:55,180 --> 03:00:56,560 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: pero hindi pa rin kayo 2583 03:00:56,560 --> 03:00:58,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: hindi pa rin niririspeto ang inyong 2584 03:00:58,760 --> 03:00:59,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: paabot. 2585 03:01:02,300 --> 03:01:03,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Hindi ba pwedeng 2586 03:01:03,580 --> 03:01:06,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ano ba? What are other options 2587 03:01:06,320 --> 03:01:08,120 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: available to you? Pag summoning 2588 03:01:08,120 --> 03:01:09,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the ambassador? Hindi ba pwedeng ganon? 2589 03:01:13,620 --> 03:01:14,600 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Mr. Chair, 2590 03:01:14,780 --> 03:01:15,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Your Honor, 2591 03:01:16,500 --> 03:01:18,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: yung pagkikipag-usap po namin 2592 03:01:18,360 --> 03:01:20,320 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: ay meron naman po mga pagkakataon na 2593 03:01:20,320 --> 03:01:22,520 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: regular interaction with the Chinese embassy 2594 03:01:22,520 --> 03:01:24,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: pati na po ang mga 2595 03:01:24,260 --> 03:01:26,440 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: opisyal sa Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2596 03:01:26,440 --> 03:01:28,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: sa Beijing. At 2597 03:01:28,000 --> 03:01:29,060 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: pagka 2598 03:01:29,060 --> 03:01:31,060 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: I mean yung pagkakataon, 2599 03:01:31,060 --> 03:01:33,500 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: nag-uusap po eh regular naman. Pero bukod po doon, 2600 03:01:34,080 --> 03:01:35,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: meron din po kaming mga 2601 03:01:35,100 --> 03:01:37,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: pagkakataon para mag-issue ng formal 2602 03:01:37,100 --> 03:01:38,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: protests when it comes to 2603 03:01:38,900 --> 03:01:41,000 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: very specific statements 2604 03:01:41,000 --> 03:01:43,260 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: of the Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Government. 2605 03:01:44,040 --> 03:01:45,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: So in a whole, 2606 03:01:45,200 --> 03:01:47,080 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in an entire context po, 2607 03:01:47,240 --> 03:01:48,100 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: hindi po naman 2608 03:01:48,100 --> 03:01:51,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: nagkukulang yung ating paalala 2609 03:01:51,020 --> 03:01:52,720 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: sa kanila of the Philippine position. 2610 03:01:53,540 --> 03:01:55,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Yung nabanggit nyo po kanina 2611 03:01:55,140 --> 03:01:56,960 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: tungkol dun sa mga statements 2612 03:01:56,960 --> 03:01:58,740 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: na binibigay ng ibang ahensya, 2613 03:01:59,440 --> 03:02:00,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: meron po rin po kasi silang 2614 03:02:01,060 --> 03:02:03,240 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: mga mandato that are related 2615 03:02:03,240 --> 03:02:05,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: to their duties 2616 03:02:05,140 --> 03:02:07,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: and responsibilities in 2617 03:02:07,140 --> 03:02:09,120 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the maritime space, kasama 2618 03:02:09,120 --> 03:02:10,480 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: po sa West Philippine Sea. 2619 03:02:11,000 --> 03:02:13,020 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: And of course they are given 2620 03:02:13,020 --> 03:02:15,140 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: the leeway of course to give their own 2621 03:02:15,140 --> 03:02:16,300 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: statements, public statements. 2622 03:02:17,080 --> 03:02:18,820 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So have you actually 2623 03:02:18,820 --> 03:02:21,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: large formal diplomatic 2624 03:02:21,040 --> 03:02:23,460 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: protests in relation to the statements 2625 03:02:23,460 --> 03:02:25,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: that are being issued 2626 03:02:25,160 --> 03:02:26,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: by the 2627 03:02:26,700 --> 03:02:28,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: embassy in Manila? 2628 03:02:29,580 --> 03:02:30,640 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: There have been 2629 03:02:31,060 --> 03:02:32,860 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: 39 statements, 39 2630 03:02:32,860 --> 03:02:34,920 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: diplomatic protests po this year 2631 03:02:34,920 --> 03:02:36,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: alone. And 2632 03:02:36,160 --> 03:02:38,920 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we actually have a weekly protest 2633 03:02:38,920 --> 03:02:40,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: with regard to their activities. 2634 03:02:41,080 --> 03:02:42,900 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Pero po pagdating sa mga specific 2635 03:02:42,900 --> 03:02:44,700 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: protests, meron din po tayo mga 2636 03:02:44,700 --> 03:02:46,660 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: protests within the year. 2637 03:02:47,240 --> 03:02:49,100 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Honorable, tinyo as a matter 2638 03:02:49,100 --> 03:02:50,940 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: of protocol, I am obliged 2639 03:02:50,940 --> 03:02:52,040 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: to remind you. 2640 03:02:52,040 --> 03:02:52,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Patapos na po. 2641 03:02:53,860 --> 03:02:56,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pwede po nalang mabigyan tayo ng 2642 03:02:56,000 --> 03:02:59,260 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: some sort of report 2643 03:02:59,260 --> 03:03:00,840 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: on the protests. 2644 03:03:01,060 --> 03:03:02,860 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And are they specific 2645 03:03:02,860 --> 03:03:05,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: to the statements being 2646 03:03:05,080 --> 03:03:07,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: issued by the 2647 03:03:07,060 --> 03:03:08,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: embassy? Yung mga katulad 2648 03:03:08,960 --> 03:03:11,020 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: nung sinayit ko kanina, which was 2649 03:03:11,020 --> 03:03:12,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: issued just a few days ago? 2650 03:03:15,820 --> 03:03:16,840 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: Your Honor, 2651 03:03:17,580 --> 03:03:19,400 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: yung mga diplomatic 2652 03:03:19,400 --> 03:03:21,460 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: protests po are specific 2653 03:03:21,460 --> 03:03:23,360 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: to the Chinese position. 2654 03:03:24,600 --> 03:03:25,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: So not 2655 03:03:25,160 --> 03:03:27,340 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: always to the 2656 03:03:27,340 --> 03:03:28,800 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: statements that they issue in public. 2657 03:03:29,380 --> 03:03:30,920 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: But there are examples of that 2658 03:03:30,920 --> 03:03:33,160 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: in the diplomatic protests that 2659 03:03:33,180 --> 03:03:34,860 DFA Assistant Secretary Robespierre L. Bolivar: we have issued since 2022. 2660 03:03:35,640 --> 03:03:37,100 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Well, Mr. Chair, yan po ang 2661 03:03:37,100 --> 03:03:39,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: hinihingi natin 2662 03:03:39,700 --> 03:03:40,500 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa 2663 03:03:40,500 --> 03:03:42,540 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: DFA. 2664 03:03:43,900 --> 03:03:45,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Magsalita naman kayo 2665 03:03:45,160 --> 03:03:47,220 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and specifically call them out 2666 03:03:47,220 --> 03:03:49,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: publicly for making 2667 03:03:49,040 --> 03:03:50,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: such statements. Kasi nagpapainit, 2668 03:03:50,880 --> 03:03:52,280 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: hindi po nakakatulong 2669 03:03:52,280 --> 03:03:55,140 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: at lalo lang nagpapainit 2670 03:03:55,140 --> 03:03:56,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa sitwasyon 2671 03:03:56,600 --> 03:03:59,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: na in the end, hindi naman 2672 03:03:59,000 --> 03:04:00,780 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: magbabago ang mga posisyon 2673 03:04:00,780 --> 03:04:01,920 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ng dalawang bansa, diba? 2674 03:04:03,180 --> 03:04:04,520 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. Now, 2675 03:04:04,920 --> 03:04:07,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: my last question 2676 03:04:07,440 --> 03:04:09,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: has to do with 2677 03:04:09,060 --> 03:04:10,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the recent statements of the 2678 03:04:10,880 --> 03:04:13,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: President, kaugnay 2679 03:04:13,240 --> 03:04:14,740 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa joint development. 2680 03:04:15,800 --> 03:04:17,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And on August 2681 03:04:17,040 --> 03:04:17,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: 14, 2682 03:04:18,100 --> 03:04:20,480 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: during a media event, 2683 03:04:21,720 --> 03:04:22,500 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: he was again, 2684 03:04:23,020 --> 03:04:25,140 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: parang unang sinabi yung joint development 2685 03:04:25,140 --> 03:04:26,420 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa kainitan nung 2686 03:04:26,420 --> 03:04:28,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: energy 2687 03:04:28,580 --> 03:04:30,860 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: emergency. 2688 03:04:31,740 --> 03:04:32,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Sabi, 2689 03:04:32,200 --> 03:04:34,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: buhayin natin itong joint development. 2690 03:04:35,060 --> 03:04:36,940 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Tapos, just recently, August 14, 2691 03:04:37,680 --> 03:04:39,140 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: again, he made 2692 03:04:39,140 --> 03:04:41,540 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: a statement. 2693 03:04:43,380 --> 03:04:43,940 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Sabi niya, 2694 03:04:47,200 --> 03:04:50,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: according to a news report, 2695 03:04:50,900 --> 03:04:52,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: possible joint 2696 03:04:52,580 --> 03:04:54,780 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: exploration with China 2697 03:04:54,780 --> 03:04:56,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: before term ends. 2698 03:04:57,420 --> 03:04:59,000 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, that's 2028. 2699 03:05:00,020 --> 03:05:00,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: At ang sabi ng 2700 03:05:00,960 --> 03:05:01,460 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Pangulo, 2701 03:05:02,760 --> 03:05:04,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ay the 2702 03:05:04,340 --> 03:05:06,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: discussion has gained prominence 2703 03:05:06,080 --> 03:05:08,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and where we are now, I think we have moved 2704 03:05:08,240 --> 03:05:08,680 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: forward. 2705 03:05:09,940 --> 03:05:12,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: There were several issues from the beginning 2706 03:05:12,160 --> 03:05:14,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: that we are slowly 2707 03:05:14,240 --> 03:05:15,120 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: working through. 2708 03:05:16,120 --> 03:05:18,440 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: And I can see the distinct possibility 2709 03:05:18,440 --> 03:05:20,420 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: that there will be such 2710 03:05:20,420 --> 03:05:21,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: joint explorations. 2711 03:05:22,580 --> 03:05:24,640 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: It is just in the terms of reference 2712 03:05:24,640 --> 03:05:26,240 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: and what we are going to do 2713 03:05:26,240 --> 03:05:27,980 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: like any joint venture 2714 03:05:27,980 --> 03:05:29,820 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: or if it is nearly commercial, 2715 03:05:30,340 --> 03:05:31,900 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: that's what we're doing now. 2716 03:05:32,740 --> 03:05:33,780 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. So, 2717 03:05:34,340 --> 03:05:37,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: sa nakaraang 2718 03:05:37,060 --> 03:05:39,360 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: administrasyon, yung DFA po 2719 03:05:39,360 --> 03:05:40,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ang directly involved sa 2720 03:05:40,880 --> 03:05:42,920 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: usapin ng joint development, 2721 03:05:43,080 --> 03:05:44,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: joint exploration, whatever. 2722 03:05:44,840 --> 03:05:47,020 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Parang, it was directly led 2723 03:05:47,020 --> 03:05:49,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: by the secretary, that time 2724 03:05:49,160 --> 03:05:51,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: si Teddy Boy Loxin. 2725 03:05:52,140 --> 03:05:53,400 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, ngayon po ba, 2726 03:05:53,600 --> 03:05:54,860 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ay ganun pa rin. Yung 2727 03:05:54,860 --> 03:05:56,760 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: tinutukoy ng Pangulo dito 2728 03:05:56,760 --> 03:05:58,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: na 2729 03:05:58,080 --> 03:06:00,860 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: we are moving forward, obviously, 2730 03:06:01,020 --> 03:06:03,020 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: may not, that implies 2731 03:06:03,020 --> 03:06:04,300 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: that talks are 2732 03:06:04,300 --> 03:06:06,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ongoing. So, 2733 03:06:07,040 --> 03:06:08,600 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: is it 2734 03:06:08,600 --> 03:06:09,920 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: the DFA that 2735 03:06:09,920 --> 03:06:12,520 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: has the lead role in these 2736 03:06:12,520 --> 03:06:14,180 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: discussions? And if so, 2737 03:06:14,180 --> 03:06:16,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: could you 2738 03:06:16,040 --> 03:06:18,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: update the committee 2739 03:06:18,080 --> 03:06:20,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: on ano ibig sabihin ng 2740 03:06:20,080 --> 03:06:22,160 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: presidente dito that we have moved 2741 03:06:22,160 --> 03:06:24,220 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: forward and that 2742 03:06:24,220 --> 03:06:25,700 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: it's possible to have 2743 03:06:25,700 --> 03:06:27,920 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: some sort of joint development 2744 03:06:27,920 --> 03:06:29,960 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: before the end of his term? 2745 03:06:30,940 --> 03:06:32,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, thank you. 2746 03:06:32,380 --> 03:06:33,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I think for now, 2747 03:06:34,300 --> 03:06:36,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it is not called joint development 2748 03:06:36,220 --> 03:06:38,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but joint cooperation on oil and gas. 2749 03:06:39,160 --> 03:06:40,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But, given the 2750 03:06:40,620 --> 03:06:42,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: binigay na statement 2751 03:06:42,720 --> 03:06:44,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng Pangulo, we have to go back 2752 03:06:44,820 --> 03:06:46,620 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to what happened during the 2753 03:06:46,620 --> 03:06:48,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: previous administration. 2754 03:06:48,160 --> 03:06:50,680 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: You know, kagaya na sinabi nyo, 2755 03:06:51,120 --> 03:06:52,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: si Secretary Loxin 2756 03:06:52,280 --> 03:06:54,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: was leading it. In fact, 2757 03:06:54,320 --> 03:06:55,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: meron na tinatawag na 2758 03:06:55,640 --> 03:06:57,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: CONRAD document. 2759 03:06:58,320 --> 03:07:00,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: I think may mga certain issues na lang 2760 03:07:00,440 --> 03:07:01,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: concerning 2761 03:07:01,040 --> 03:07:04,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the constitutional issue. 2762 03:07:04,300 --> 03:07:06,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Of what laws to 2763 03:07:06,260 --> 03:07:07,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: apply and 2764 03:07:07,780 --> 03:07:10,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: taxation issues. However, 2765 03:07:10,560 --> 03:07:11,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: unilaterally, 2766 03:07:12,460 --> 03:07:14,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: tinerminate ni Secretary 2767 03:07:14,260 --> 03:07:15,840 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Loxin. Tinanong ko siya, 2768 03:07:16,400 --> 03:07:18,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: bakit nyo po tinerminate? Ang sabi 2769 03:07:18,400 --> 03:07:20,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: niya, to give a free hand 2770 03:07:20,420 --> 03:07:22,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to the next administration. 2771 03:07:22,280 --> 03:07:24,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Which also makes sense. Now, 2772 03:07:24,600 --> 03:07:25,900 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: so, I think, 2773 03:07:26,160 --> 03:07:27,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: doon nang gagaling ang Pangulo. 2774 03:07:28,160 --> 03:07:30,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Kasi may mga nangyari 2775 03:07:30,180 --> 03:07:31,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na in the past. However, 2776 03:07:31,760 --> 03:07:32,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: there, 2777 03:07:32,240 --> 03:07:33,600 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: there, 2778 03:07:34,300 --> 03:07:36,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: just to tell you that 2779 03:07:36,240 --> 03:07:38,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: the consideration of this issue 2780 03:07:38,240 --> 03:07:40,340 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: is very important and seriously 2781 03:07:40,340 --> 03:07:42,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: considering. Kaya lang po, kami po 2782 03:07:42,180 --> 03:07:44,360 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ay masyadong involved dito sa 2783 03:07:44,360 --> 03:07:46,340 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ASEAN. May summit na 2784 03:07:46,340 --> 03:07:48,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: darating sa November. So, 2785 03:07:49,180 --> 03:07:50,460 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: sinasangtabi 2786 03:07:50,460 --> 03:07:51,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: muna namin ngayon. 2787 03:07:52,740 --> 03:07:54,580 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: At, of course, 2788 03:07:54,960 --> 03:07:56,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: being the architect of foreign 2789 03:07:56,200 --> 03:07:58,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: policy, implement namin naman 2790 03:07:58,100 --> 03:08:00,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: yan at the appropriate time. 2791 03:08:00,560 --> 03:08:02,580 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. So, you confirm 2792 03:08:02,580 --> 03:08:04,280 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: na kayo po ang may lead role? 2793 03:08:04,300 --> 03:08:06,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Dito. Katulad nung sa nakaraan 2794 03:08:06,340 --> 03:08:08,320 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: na si Secretary Locsin 2795 03:08:08,320 --> 03:08:10,040 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: ang parang lead 2796 03:08:10,040 --> 03:08:11,260 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: negotiator, kumbaga. 2797 03:08:12,200 --> 03:08:14,180 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: So, in this case, kayo po. 2798 03:08:14,760 --> 03:08:16,500 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Kayo rin po yun. Ganun po ba? 2799 03:08:16,520 --> 03:08:18,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Well, I, as of this 2800 03:08:18,240 --> 03:08:20,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: time and which is not yet, hindi pa naman 2801 03:08:20,120 --> 03:08:22,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: talaga na nabubuhu. Well, it 2802 03:08:22,240 --> 03:08:24,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: would be me. However, I think that 2803 03:08:24,300 --> 03:08:25,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: this would be 2804 03:08:25,520 --> 03:08:28,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: involving other agencies, 2805 03:08:28,420 --> 03:08:29,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: particularly DOE. 2806 03:08:30,380 --> 03:08:32,060 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. Particularly 2807 03:08:32,060 --> 03:08:34,280 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: DOE. Okay. So, ang sinasabi po nyo, 2808 03:08:34,280 --> 03:08:36,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: yan ang direktiba ng Pangulo 2809 03:08:36,340 --> 03:08:38,340 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: pero abala kayo sa ASEAN 2810 03:08:38,340 --> 03:08:40,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: at hindi nyo pa nahaharap. 2811 03:08:40,220 --> 03:08:40,750 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Ganun po ba? 2812 03:08:40,750 --> 03:08:42,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Well, to a certain extent, 2813 03:08:42,560 --> 03:08:43,640 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: yun naman talaga ang dahilan. 2814 03:08:44,700 --> 03:08:46,080 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Okay. Thank you, 2815 03:08:46,280 --> 03:08:47,880 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Mr. Chair. 2816 03:08:48,100 --> 03:08:49,200 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: Hanggang doon na lang po muna. 2817 03:08:49,200 --> 03:08:49,680 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Okay. 2818 03:08:49,980 --> 03:08:51,940 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Maraming salamat din po, Honorable Tinu. 2819 03:08:52,020 --> 03:08:52,400 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: I hope 2820 03:08:52,400 --> 03:08:56,540 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: you enjoyed that long time 2821 03:08:56,540 --> 03:08:58,320 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: that we 2822 03:08:58,320 --> 03:08:59,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: appropriated for you. 2823 03:08:59,900 --> 03:09:02,380 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Now, we proceed 2824 03:09:02,380 --> 03:09:03,140 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: back to 2825 03:09:03,140 --> 03:09:06,200 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the Honorable 2826 03:09:06,200 --> 03:09:08,300 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Sara Elago, again from the minority 2827 03:09:08,300 --> 03:09:10,600 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: for a brief 2828 03:09:10,600 --> 03:09:12,020 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: interpellation. 2829 03:09:13,380 --> 03:09:14,460 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat, 2830 03:09:14,460 --> 03:09:15,540 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mr. Chair. 2831 03:09:16,000 --> 03:09:18,520 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Hindi ko po mapalagpas yung pagkakataon 2832 03:09:18,520 --> 03:09:20,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: dahil sa nakakadurog na puso 2833 03:09:20,360 --> 03:09:22,340 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na balita na meron na namang 2834 03:09:22,340 --> 03:09:24,000 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: dalawang Filipino seafarer 2835 03:09:24,000 --> 03:09:25,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na nasawi sa 2836 03:09:25,900 --> 03:09:28,540 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: atake sa kanilang 2837 03:09:28,540 --> 03:09:30,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: pinagtatrabahuhan 2838 03:09:30,940 --> 03:09:32,120 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na oil tanker sa 2839 03:09:32,120 --> 03:09:33,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Strait of Hormuz. 2840 03:09:33,140 --> 03:09:34,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Nais ko pong matanong, 2841 03:09:35,360 --> 03:09:37,660 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ano ho ang mga pinakahuling 2842 03:09:37,660 --> 03:09:39,320 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ulat mula sa 2843 03:09:39,320 --> 03:09:41,460 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: DFA ng ating 2844 03:09:41,460 --> 03:09:43,300 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mga sinasagawa na 2845 03:09:43,300 --> 03:09:45,340 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mga mas mahigpit 2846 03:09:45,340 --> 03:09:46,840 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na safety measures, 2847 03:09:47,160 --> 03:09:49,160 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: protocols, pagtitiyak 2848 03:09:49,160 --> 03:09:50,960 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na napoprotektahan ho 2849 03:09:50,960 --> 03:09:53,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: yung ating mga kababayan. Pero bago ho 2850 03:09:53,100 --> 03:09:55,160 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: natin pakinggan yung sagot 2851 03:09:55,160 --> 03:09:57,120 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng DFA, nais ko rin 2852 03:09:57,120 --> 03:09:59,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: magpaabot ng lubos 2853 03:09:59,100 --> 03:10:01,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na pakikiramay doon sa 2854 03:10:01,180 --> 03:10:02,980 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mga pamilya, nung mga nasawi, 2855 03:10:03,140 --> 03:10:05,200 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: bukod po dito sa dalawang 2856 03:10:05,200 --> 03:10:07,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: napabalita, meron pa hong isa 2857 03:10:07,020 --> 03:10:09,400 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na Filipino seafarer 2858 03:10:09,400 --> 03:10:10,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na nasawi, 2859 03:10:11,040 --> 03:10:13,200 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na nareport din itong 2860 03:10:13,200 --> 03:10:14,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: nakaraan na buwan, 2861 03:10:15,200 --> 03:10:17,140 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at meron pa hong isang nawawala 2862 03:10:17,140 --> 03:10:19,300 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: noong Marso ngayong taon. 2863 03:10:20,440 --> 03:10:21,200 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ano ho ang 2864 03:10:21,200 --> 03:10:22,860 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ginagawa ng DFA 2865 03:10:22,860 --> 03:10:24,800 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para matiyak sa 2866 03:10:24,800 --> 03:10:27,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: pakikipagtulungan sa iba nating mga 2867 03:10:27,100 --> 03:10:29,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: agencies tulad ng DMW 2868 03:10:29,020 --> 03:10:31,140 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para maprotektahan ang ating mga seafarers? 2869 03:10:31,900 --> 03:10:32,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, 2870 03:10:33,140 --> 03:10:34,740 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: gusto ko lang pong linawin na 2871 03:10:34,740 --> 03:10:37,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang ating mga OFWs 2872 03:10:37,300 --> 03:10:39,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and seafarers are already under the 2873 03:10:39,100 --> 03:10:41,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: jurisdiction of the Department of 2874 03:10:41,160 --> 03:10:43,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Migrant Workers. So the reports 2875 03:10:43,220 --> 03:10:45,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: are coming from them, they're monitoring it, 2876 03:10:45,140 --> 03:10:47,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: they have their own mechanism. Pero hindi rin 2877 03:10:47,160 --> 03:10:48,680 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: po kami nagpapalagpas. 2878 03:10:49,220 --> 03:10:50,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Nandiyan pa rin po kami, kagaya nang 2879 03:10:50,860 --> 03:10:53,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: in-explain, may mga lugar na walang 2880 03:10:53,260 --> 03:10:55,180 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: DMW office and we take 2881 03:10:55,180 --> 03:10:57,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: charge of it. But I refer the details 2882 03:10:57,380 --> 03:10:59,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to our Migrant Affairs 2883 03:10:59,400 --> 03:11:01,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: OIC. 2884 03:11:02,000 --> 03:11:02,880 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Thank you, ma'am. 2885 03:11:03,140 --> 03:11:04,920 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Madam Secretary, Honorable 2886 03:11:04,920 --> 03:11:07,120 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Member, nabasa ko yung report 2887 03:11:07,120 --> 03:11:08,680 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: ng ating embahada sa Muscat 2888 03:11:08,680 --> 03:11:11,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: kung saan nag-disembark 2889 03:11:11,180 --> 03:11:12,920 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: yung mga ibang seafarer, 2890 03:11:13,240 --> 03:11:15,220 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: 14 of them on the same ship 2891 03:11:15,220 --> 03:11:17,000 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: as well as 2892 03:11:17,000 --> 03:11:19,160 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: the remains. And Secretary 2893 03:11:19,160 --> 03:11:20,680 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: also, 2894 03:11:21,120 --> 03:11:22,860 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Secretary Hans also confirmed 2895 03:11:22,860 --> 03:11:24,960 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: earlier in a 2896 03:11:24,960 --> 03:11:27,460 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: interview that MWO 2897 03:11:27,460 --> 03:11:28,820 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: with our embassy there 2898 03:11:28,820 --> 03:11:29,300 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: are 2899 03:11:29,300 --> 03:11:32,640 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: assisting each other, 2900 03:11:33,140 --> 03:11:34,780 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: coordinating about this. In general, 2901 03:11:34,900 --> 03:11:37,040 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: Meron Pong, he reminded also that 2902 03:11:37,040 --> 03:11:39,100 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: seafarers have the right to 2903 03:11:39,100 --> 03:11:41,080 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: refuse to work in certain areas, 2904 03:11:41,500 --> 03:11:43,200 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: also in other 2905 03:11:43,200 --> 03:11:45,020 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: areas that had been determined as 2906 03:11:45,020 --> 03:11:45,600 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: dangerous. 2907 03:11:47,060 --> 03:11:49,140 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: But our embassies, together with 2908 03:11:49,140 --> 03:11:51,140 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: the MWOs and 2909 03:11:51,140 --> 03:11:53,180 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: DMW, have 2910 03:11:53,180 --> 03:11:55,440 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: regular meetings with the 2911 03:11:55,440 --> 03:11:57,160 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: manning agencies that 2912 03:11:57,160 --> 03:11:59,080 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: are based here, who have a 2913 03:11:59,080 --> 03:12:00,620 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: direct line of communication 2914 03:12:00,620 --> 03:12:02,920 DFA OIC Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago: sa mga shipping 2915 03:12:05,200 --> 03:12:06,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, gusto ko po rin 2916 03:12:06,860 --> 03:12:08,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: idagdag na 2917 03:12:08,440 --> 03:12:10,720 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: dahil sa purview ng DFA, 2918 03:12:10,860 --> 03:12:12,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nandiyan din po yung active 2919 03:12:12,120 --> 03:12:14,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: engagement of the 2920 03:12:14,520 --> 03:12:16,320 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: International Maritime Organization. 2921 03:12:16,940 --> 03:12:18,540 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Kasi sila rin po ang in-charge dito 2922 03:12:18,540 --> 03:12:20,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: sa mga seafarers 2923 03:12:20,980 --> 03:12:21,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: natin. Thank you. 2924 03:12:24,140 --> 03:12:26,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat po sa update. 2925 03:12:26,580 --> 03:12:28,120 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Nabanggit niyo po yung right 2926 03:12:28,120 --> 03:12:30,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: to refuse sailing na 2927 03:12:30,020 --> 03:12:31,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: karapatan 2928 03:12:31,640 --> 03:12:34,540 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng ating mga seafarers. 2929 03:12:35,040 --> 03:12:35,960 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Angunit, meron din po ang 2930 03:12:35,960 --> 03:12:38,200 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mga ulat na may mga pagkakataon 2931 03:12:38,200 --> 03:12:40,720 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na oo, pwede ho silang 2932 03:12:40,720 --> 03:12:42,460 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: tumanggi na 2933 03:12:42,460 --> 03:12:44,620 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mag-sail, pwede ho silang 2934 03:12:44,620 --> 03:12:46,660 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mag-refuse, ngunit may mga kaso 2935 03:12:46,660 --> 03:12:48,680 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na kapag majority daw ho ng mga 2936 03:12:48,680 --> 03:12:51,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: crew members ng isang vessel 2937 03:12:51,020 --> 03:12:52,580 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ay sumasang-ayon, 2938 03:12:52,920 --> 03:12:55,340 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: nag-a-agree, ay wala daw 2939 03:12:55,340 --> 03:12:56,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: hong choice yung mga nag-refuse 2940 03:12:56,940 --> 03:12:58,860 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kundi sumama na rin. 2941 03:12:59,520 --> 03:13:00,740 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Kaya sa ganitong mga 2942 03:13:00,740 --> 03:13:02,720 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: pagkakataon, kasi alam ko ang DFA, 2943 03:13:03,200 --> 03:13:04,480 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: meron ho kayong mga 2944 03:13:04,480 --> 03:13:05,760 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: naging pag-uusap, 2945 03:13:05,960 --> 03:13:08,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa mga bansa, tungkol dun sa safe passage 2946 03:13:08,940 --> 03:13:10,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng Philippine flagged vessel 2947 03:13:10,640 --> 03:13:12,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa Strait of Hormuz. 2948 03:13:13,120 --> 03:13:14,820 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Pero paano naman ho para dun 2949 03:13:14,820 --> 03:13:17,040 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa ibang mga vessels na hindi po 2950 03:13:17,040 --> 03:13:18,140 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Philippine flagged? 2951 03:13:18,520 --> 03:13:20,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Paano ho natin natitiyak na 2952 03:13:20,640 --> 03:13:22,980 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: yung mga Filipino seafarers 2953 03:13:22,980 --> 03:13:24,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: po natin on board, 2954 03:13:24,580 --> 03:13:26,660 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: yung karapatan nila, kanila ho 2955 03:13:26,660 --> 03:13:28,320 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na-exercise, at 2956 03:13:28,320 --> 03:13:31,040 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: natitiyak ho natin na 2957 03:13:31,040 --> 03:13:32,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na kumbagang 2958 03:13:32,360 --> 03:13:35,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: may plano ho ba 2959 03:13:35,360 --> 03:13:37,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ang kayo na makipag-usap 2960 03:13:37,360 --> 03:13:39,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para naman halimbawa 2961 03:13:39,940 --> 03:13:42,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: yung mga kababayan ho natin 2962 03:13:42,360 --> 03:13:43,760 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa mga ships na 2963 03:13:43,760 --> 03:13:45,540 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: dumadaan doon sa 2964 03:13:45,540 --> 03:13:48,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mga high-risk areas 2965 03:13:48,020 --> 03:13:49,860 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: or corridors, ay 2966 03:13:49,860 --> 03:13:51,840 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: magagarantiya 2967 03:13:51,840 --> 03:13:53,480 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: yung kanilang mga karapatan. 2968 03:13:54,040 --> 03:13:56,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, kung natatandaan ninyo 2969 03:13:56,100 --> 03:13:57,940 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: a few months back, 2970 03:13:58,280 --> 03:13:59,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: first quarter, nung 2971 03:13:59,380 --> 03:14:00,700 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nagumpisa itong 2972 03:14:00,700 --> 03:14:01,680 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: itong 2973 03:14:01,680 --> 03:14:05,320 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: hidwaan na to in the 2974 03:14:05,360 --> 03:14:05,860 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Middle East, 2975 03:14:07,080 --> 03:14:09,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ako, the DFA, and particularly 2976 03:14:09,260 --> 03:14:11,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: me, I was able to talk 2977 03:14:11,380 --> 03:14:13,140 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: to the Iranian foreign 2978 03:14:13,140 --> 03:14:14,780 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: minister, and 2979 03:14:14,780 --> 03:14:17,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nagkaroon kami ng understanding 2980 03:14:17,240 --> 03:14:19,100 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na pag Philippine flagged 2981 03:14:19,100 --> 03:14:20,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: vessel, at of course, 2982 03:14:22,300 --> 03:14:23,020 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: hindi nila 2983 03:14:23,020 --> 03:14:24,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: hindi nila 2984 03:14:24,160 --> 03:14:26,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: gagalawin or 2985 03:14:26,300 --> 03:14:28,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: bibigyan nila ng safe passage. 2986 03:14:29,100 --> 03:14:31,460 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: But of course, that was a few months ago, 2987 03:14:32,620 --> 03:14:33,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nagkaroon na ngayon 2988 03:14:33,300 --> 03:14:34,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng konting 2989 03:14:34,120 --> 03:14:36,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: pagbabago in the sense that 2990 03:14:36,800 --> 03:14:39,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: it's no longer the foreign ministry that is 2991 03:14:39,000 --> 03:14:40,680 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: in control. I think, 2992 03:14:40,820 --> 03:14:42,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: iba ng puwersa. I think it's the 2993 03:14:42,920 --> 03:14:44,800 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: revolutionary force. I mean, ito lang 2994 03:14:44,800 --> 03:14:46,500 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: inatatanggap namin mga informasyon, 2995 03:14:46,960 --> 03:14:49,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and that's why ngayon, nagkakaroon 2996 03:14:49,000 --> 03:14:50,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: problema. But we, 2997 03:14:50,720 --> 03:14:53,040 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ang aming palaisipan 2998 03:14:53,040 --> 03:14:54,880 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: dito is that we can 2999 03:14:54,880 --> 03:14:57,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: only go through IMO 3000 03:14:57,220 --> 03:14:58,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: kasi sa International 3001 03:14:58,760 --> 03:14:59,920 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Maritime Organization. 3002 03:15:00,000 --> 03:15:01,120 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which is based in London, 3003 03:15:01,700 --> 03:15:04,360 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: nandito yung mga areas, 3004 03:15:04,540 --> 03:15:07,240 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ay nandito yung mga may-ari 3005 03:15:07,240 --> 03:15:09,420 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng mga barko 3006 03:15:09,420 --> 03:15:11,560 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: which is very influential 3007 03:15:11,560 --> 03:15:14,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: and therefore we're trying to talk to them 3008 03:15:14,400 --> 03:15:20,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na bigyan ng leeway 3009 03:15:20,060 --> 03:15:22,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: itong ating mga seafarers. 3010 03:15:22,640 --> 03:15:23,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Marami yung pag-uusap 3011 03:15:23,760 --> 03:15:25,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: not only with the workers, 3012 03:15:25,720 --> 03:15:26,980 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: rather with the owners 3013 03:15:26,980 --> 03:15:28,160 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: but also with the unions 3014 03:15:28,160 --> 03:15:30,000 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: na malakas din ang mga union 3015 03:15:30,000 --> 03:15:31,060 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng mga seafarers. 3016 03:15:31,480 --> 03:15:33,760 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: These are, and of course, bilateral 3017 03:15:33,760 --> 03:15:36,220 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: like meron kami mga pag-uusap 3018 03:15:36,220 --> 03:15:37,260 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: sa Panama. 3019 03:15:38,040 --> 03:15:39,820 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Panama has how many? 3020 03:15:40,160 --> 03:15:43,380 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: 180,000 seafarers. 3021 03:15:43,980 --> 03:15:45,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: So ano yun? 3022 03:15:45,520 --> 03:15:48,200 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: On a bilateral basis may ginagawa kami. 3023 03:15:50,520 --> 03:15:52,520 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Mr. Chair, manghihingi na lang po tayo 3024 03:15:52,520 --> 03:15:53,840 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng komprehensibong ulat 3025 03:15:53,840 --> 03:15:55,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: mula sa DFA tungkol dito 3026 03:15:55,900 --> 03:15:57,900 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at hindi lang po pakikiramay ang 3027 03:15:58,160 --> 03:16:01,200 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ating nais maipahatid 3028 03:16:01,200 --> 03:16:03,940 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kundi pakikiisa din 3029 03:16:03,940 --> 03:16:05,340 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: dun sa panawagan nila 3030 03:16:05,340 --> 03:16:06,980 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng lahat ng tulong 3031 03:16:06,980 --> 03:16:08,760 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para dun sa mga pamilya 3032 03:16:08,760 --> 03:16:10,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng mga nasawi 3033 03:16:10,100 --> 03:16:11,980 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at panawagan na rin 3034 03:16:11,980 --> 03:16:15,840 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para sa mas malakas na mga hakbang 3035 03:16:15,840 --> 03:16:17,740 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para sa kaligtasan 3036 03:16:17,740 --> 03:16:20,880 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at paninindigan para sa karapatan 3037 03:16:20,880 --> 03:16:22,640 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng ating mga seafarers. 3038 03:16:23,460 --> 03:16:24,860 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ngayon naman po bilang huli 3039 03:16:24,860 --> 03:16:27,340 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: meron hong lumapit sa aming 3040 03:16:28,160 --> 03:16:30,480 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Opisina sa Gabriela Women's Party 3041 03:16:30,480 --> 03:16:32,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: tungkol dito sa kaso 3042 03:16:32,180 --> 03:16:35,140 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: ng head-on collision 3043 03:16:35,140 --> 03:16:36,240 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa Japan 3044 03:16:36,240 --> 03:16:38,100 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kung saan may nasawi 3045 03:16:38,100 --> 03:16:40,320 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: isang Filipino national 3046 03:16:40,320 --> 03:16:42,680 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kasama ang kanyang asawa 3047 03:16:42,680 --> 03:16:46,620 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at isa pang kasama 3048 03:16:46,620 --> 03:16:48,120 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: meron hong 3049 03:16:48,120 --> 03:16:50,120 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: survivor na kanilang 3050 03:16:50,120 --> 03:16:51,360 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: 4-year-old son. 3051 03:16:52,100 --> 03:16:54,020 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Nakarating na ho ba ito sa DFA? 3052 03:16:54,440 --> 03:16:56,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: At kung hindi pa, maaari nyo ho bang 3053 03:16:56,700 --> 03:16:57,420 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: tignan? 3054 03:16:58,160 --> 03:17:01,060 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Ilalapit ko ho sa inyo ang report na ito 3055 03:17:01,060 --> 03:17:03,180 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at kung maaari ho natin 3056 03:17:03,180 --> 03:17:04,480 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: na lubos na matulungan 3057 03:17:04,480 --> 03:17:06,560 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: para matiyak yung 3058 03:17:06,560 --> 03:17:09,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: accountability 3059 03:17:09,700 --> 03:17:12,280 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: kung meron mang kinakailangang habulin 3060 03:17:12,280 --> 03:17:14,520 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: sa sitwasyon na ito 3061 03:17:14,520 --> 03:17:16,700 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: at yung tulong na rin na kinakailangan nila. 3062 03:17:17,220 --> 03:17:18,520 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Your Honor, hindi pa ho nakakarating 3063 03:17:18,520 --> 03:17:20,440 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: sa amin pero we will be 3064 03:17:20,440 --> 03:17:22,300 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: obliged, bibigyan po namin kayo 3065 03:17:22,300 --> 03:17:24,480 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: ng report and details 3066 03:17:24,480 --> 03:17:26,280 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: at 2 days ago ito nangyari. 3067 03:17:27,000 --> 03:17:27,400 DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro: Thank you. 3068 03:17:28,260 --> 03:17:29,600 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Maraming salamat ho, Mr. Chair. 3069 03:17:36,000 --> 03:17:37,380 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Honorable 3070 03:17:37,380 --> 03:17:38,100 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Elago. 3071 03:17:39,600 --> 03:17:41,360 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Honorable Daza, you are recognized. 3072 03:17:42,200 --> 03:17:43,540 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Thank you, Kong Sara. 3073 03:17:44,360 --> 03:17:45,780 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: With there being no members 3074 03:17:45,780 --> 03:17:47,740 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: who wish to interpellate 3075 03:17:47,740 --> 03:17:49,740 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: unless Kong Tonchi has any objections. 3076 03:17:53,180 --> 03:17:55,520 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Pwede pa po ngayon na... 3077 03:17:55,520 --> 03:17:59,700 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Mr. Chair, may I move that we terminate 3078 03:17:59,700 --> 03:18:01,520 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: the budget hearing of the Department 3079 03:18:01,520 --> 03:18:03,380 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: of Foreign Affairs and its attached agencies. 3080 03:18:03,380 --> 03:18:05,380 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: It has been moved. 3081 03:18:05,520 --> 03:18:07,140 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: And duly, any... 3082 03:18:07,140 --> 03:18:09,540 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Before we... Any second 3083 03:18:09,540 --> 03:18:10,000 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the motion? 3084 03:18:10,820 --> 03:18:11,380 Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago: Second. 3085 03:18:12,280 --> 03:18:14,660 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Okay. It has been moved and duly seconded. 3086 03:18:15,280 --> 03:18:16,960 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: To terminate the hearing on the proposed 3087 03:18:16,960 --> 03:18:19,480 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: 2027 budget of the Department of Foreign 3088 03:18:19,480 --> 03:18:21,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Affairs including its attached 3089 03:18:21,500 --> 03:18:23,340 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: agencies. Is there any 3090 03:18:23,340 --> 03:18:23,720 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: objection? 3091 03:18:24,760 --> 03:18:27,280 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: The Chair hears none. The motion is approved. 3092 03:18:34,850 --> 03:18:35,930 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, Your Honors 3093 03:18:35,930 --> 03:18:37,270 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: and our colleagues 3094 03:18:37,270 --> 03:18:40,150 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: from the Department of Foreign Affairs for your 3095 03:18:40,150 --> 03:18:42,150 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: valuable participation in today's 3096 03:18:42,270 --> 03:18:44,650 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: budget hearing. We likewise thank 3097 03:18:44,650 --> 03:18:47,150 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: the members of the committee for their 3098 03:18:47,150 --> 03:18:49,310 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: active participation. 3099 03:18:49,310 --> 03:18:50,750 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Honorable Daza. 3100 03:18:50,750 --> 03:18:52,810 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Mr. Chair, may I move to suspend the budget 3101 03:18:52,810 --> 03:18:55,250 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: hearing until Monday, September 7, 3102 03:18:55,250 --> 03:18:58,510 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: 2026, 9 AM. 3103 03:18:58,510 --> 03:18:59,430 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Is there any second? 3104 03:18:59,430 --> 03:19:00,990 Rep. Antonio L. Tinio: I second. 3105 03:19:00,990 --> 03:19:04,130 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Okay. It has been moved and duly seconded. 3106 03:19:04,130 --> 03:19:06,850 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Is there any objection? 3107 03:19:06,850 --> 03:19:09,930 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: The Chair hears none. The committee hearing 3108 03:19:09,930 --> 03:19:13,610 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: here at the Plenary Hall on House Bill number 3109 03:19:13,610 --> 03:19:21,050 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: 10858 is hereby suspended until Monday, September 7, 3110 03:19:21,050 --> 03:19:24,980 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: at 9 AM. 3111 03:19:24,980 --> 03:19:27,500 Rep. Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal: Thank you, everyone. 3112 03:19:27,500 --> 03:19:28,880 Rep. Niko Raul S.J. Daza: Congratulations.