Tag: DFA

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Lacson Lauds DFA Secretary Lazaro’s Quiet Diplomacy Securing Safe Passage Through Hormuz

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Friday lauded Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro for ensuring through quiet diplomacy the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lacson underscored the deal’s importance as he noted that the route is used by vessels that deliver 80 to 100 percent of the Philippines’ oil imports.

“Our commendation and gratitude to DFA Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro for quietly and efficiently negotiating with Iran to allow passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz that deliver 80% to 100% of the Philippines oil imports,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri ang ‘Quiet Diplomacy’ ni DFA Secretary Lazaro sa Pagtitiyak ng Ligtas na Pagdaan sa Hormuz

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The Saga of Mary Jane Veloso

Image credit: CTTO

The saga of Mary Jane Veloso may not have ended yet but worth mentioning are the efforts of two Philippine presidents to save her from being executed in a foreign land. PNoy succeeded in temporarily staying her execution. PBBM not only convinced Indonesia to have her death sentence commuted to life imprisonment but he is bringing her back home to serve her sentence here.

We are not privy to the terms of the agreement but we can only hope it includes the discretion to grant Mary Jane a presidential pardon or at least her early release from confinement based on good conduct time allowance (GCTA) as provided under RA 10592.

Let us not also forget those who worked behind the scene – the DFA officials and others tasked to make it happen. Looking back, she was used as a “drug mule” by a drug syndicate whose members may still be recruiting other Mary Jane Velosos who are driven by poverty and ignorance.

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Sponsorship Speech for 20 DFA Officials at the Commission on Appointments

Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission on Appointments, this Representation as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nominations of eight (8) Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

The Committee likewise deliberated on the ad interim appointments of twelve (12) Senior Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs consisting of two (2) Senior Officials who are promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class I; four (4) Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II; five (5) Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Career Minister; and, one (1) Senior Official promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I.

Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the public hearing, determined that they are fit and qualified to be in the posts where they are nominated and appointed, and therefore ruled to recommend to the plenary their appointments for the consent and approval of this body.

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Panukalang Batas ni Ping: Pensiyon, Benepisyo ng mga Retiradong DFA Career Officials, Dagdagan

Karagdagang buwanang pensiyon at dagdag benepisyo sa mga retiradong career officials ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), pati sa mga naaksidente o nadisgrasya habang sinusulong ang kapakanan ng mga Pinoy at ng Pilipinas sa ibayong dagat.

Ito ang pangunahing nilalaman ng Senate Bill 2347 na inihain ni Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang pag-ayuda sa kapos na buwanang pensiyon na tinatanggap ng mga nabanggit na retiradong opisyales ng kagawaran, sa kabila ng halos pagbubuwis-buhay ng mga ito sa pangangalaga ng kapakanan ng mga Pinoy sa ibayong dagat, lalo na sa mga delikadong bansa.

“Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment. While in active service, diplomats have demonstrated their resilience as the Philippines’ first line of representation in dealing with a plethora of concerns. Their initiative, competence, professionalism, and creativity have resulted in enduring bilateral and multilateral partnerships, strategic agreements and collaborative engagements that continue to be harnessed for our people’s benefits,” paliwanag ni Lacson sa naturang panukala.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Bill Pushes Better Benefits for Retired DFA Career Officials
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Lacson Bill Pushes Better Benefits for Retired DFA Career Officials

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson took the cudgels for retired career officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as he pushed for an increase in their monthly pension and disability benefits, in exchange for their long years of looking after the welfare of Filipinos and the interests of the Philippines abroad.

Lacson, in filing Senate Bill 2347, lamented that some of our DFA retirees were receiving a measly pension despite rendering long years of service at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, at times risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment.

“Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment. While in active service, diplomats have demonstrated their resilience as the Philippines’ first line of representation in dealing with a plethora of concerns. Their initiative, competence, professionalism, and creativity have resulted in enduring bilateral and multilateral partnerships, strategic agreements and collaborative engagements that continue to be harnessed for our people’s benefits,” he said.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Panukalang Batas ni Ping: Pensiyon, Benepisyo ng mga Retiradong DFA Career Officials, Dagdagan
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