Int’l community awaits peace deal

MANILA, Philippines - The international community is awaiting the implementation of the Bangsamoro framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the dean of the diplomatic corps said yesterday.

Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto spoke for the diplomatic corps in congratulating the country on its 115th Independence Day during the traditional reception at Malacañang yesterday.

“The positive echo is amplified by the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro, signed by the government...with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on October 15th last year. The journey towards the full implementation of the legal instrument, with the anticipated conclusion of the annexes, coincides with the path to a better understanding and intensification of dialogue between religions and cultures,” Pinto said.

The government and MILF panels are still working on the annexes of the agreement that will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to better address the needs of the people in the region.

President Aquino had expressed hope that the accord would be implemented by 2016 or before the end of his term.

Pinto also said the international community wishes the Filipino people greater progress and prosperity in the coming days. He noted that the international community appreciated the progress in the efficiency of public administration, improvements in healthcare and education, as well as the efficient allocation of resources.

“We cannot forget, in fact, the most recent events in the institutional life of the country and the excellent results delivered by the executive in the economic sphere, in view of an inclusive growth, by creating the employment opportunities and reducing poverty,” he added.

Conspicuously absent at the vin d’ honneur was Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing. She is in China on official leave, according to the embassy office here in Manila. Ma sent a representative, who left even before the program started at the Palace.

Phl remains a priority of Spain

The Spanish government, meanwhile, confirmed that the Philippines remains a priority for Spain’s development cooperation and the only country in Asia that Spain has kept in its development assistance program.

The Spanish government made the confirmation during the Philippines-Spain High Level Political Consultations held in Madrid last June 7.

Spanish Vice Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Gonzalo de Benito and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia led their respective delegations in the consultations.

The conduct of consultations came after Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq said last January that the Philippines remains a priority in development efforts and partnerships despite the budget cuts on development funding resulting from austerity measures being implemented by the Spanish government.

Spain gave $1.8 billion annually in grants worldwide for the past five years.

In the Philippines, millions of dollars worth of grants were distributed in key programs in health, education, climate change and the development of local governments.

They welcomed the celebration of the 11th Philippines-Spain Friendship Day this year and the convening of the 7th Tribuna España-Filipinas in Spain in 2014.

Australia, UK congratulate Phl

Australia and the United Kingdom also congratulated the Philippines on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of Philippine independence.

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell said the Philippines and Australia are both young nations having a shared history of democracy: General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence in 1898 while Australia’s Federation was achieved in 1901.

He also noted that from the late 1890s onward, Filipino migrants have done so much to strengthen Australia as a multicultural nation.

“Today, Australia’s Filipino community is over 200,000 strong. Filipinos are in Australia as doctors, nurses, accountants and engineers, and are contributing strongly in many other walks of life,” Tweddell said.

The United Kingdom said that the Philippines is making advances towards greater prosperity and equality.

“I hope the year ahead will see that continue, and that the Philippines will make further advances towards greater prosperity and equality,” said outgoing British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

Departing passengers in NAIA serenaded

For its part, Singapore Airlines yesterday hired professional musicians to serenade all departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

The passengers at the check-in counters in the departure area were serenaded with Filipino songs of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s by guitarist Bernard Calma and crooner Celeste Magpantay.

Philippine flags and rubber wristbands reflecting the flag were also given to departing passengers as souvenirs.

“We want to delight all the passengers that are departing from NAIA and not to forget all the staffers at the airport and our fellow airlines who are working today, a holiday,” Rita Dy, Singapore Airlines Marketing Communications and Services manager, told reporters. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Rudy Santos