DepEd to raise Ph students’ PISA ranking

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“He was not disappointed ,about  PISA result, but he wants us to keep working hard to improve our performance in PISA…not only in PISA, but performance of our students as whole,” Department of Education (DepEd)  Undersecretary for curriculum and teaching Gina Gonong said during  briefing at Malacañang.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  ordered DepEd to double its efforts to improve  Philippines’ performance in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA),  reported on Dec. 5, 2023 that Filipino 15-year-old students are five to six years behind their foreign peers in learning competencies.

For second time,  Philippines landed in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading comprehension, mathematics and science, based on  2022 PISA.

Gonong said government agencies need to collaborate in addressing  nutrition of students,  national learning recovery program and teachers’ welfare among others to raise  quality of student performance and  education sector as  whole.

 PISA, developed by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, measures  ability of  15-year-old to use reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.

Starting today, public school students will spend every Friday enhancing their reading, writing and critical thinking skills and appreciation for values, health and peace education.

In its first 2024 memorandum, DepEd said all public schools would implement “Catch-Up Fridays,” reading and writing activities would be held in the morning while values, health and peace education would be taught in  afternoon.

Activities during program would not be graded as they aim to reinforce learning, DepEd noted.

Each student’s progress would be monitored through self-reflection journals.

Aside from this, DepEd would apply its old programs, including  Read-a-Thon and Drop Everything and Read or DEAR program.

Vice President Sara Duterte earlier said  new policy seeks to help “non-readers and slow readers.”

Students with normal to advanced reading comprehension skills would be trained in critically analyzing reading materials and writing output, such as books and essays.

Values, health and peace education will be delivered based on monthly themes based on  basic education curriculum, such as respect for life, nationalism, justice, accountability, self-confidence and others.

“Content of any learning area can be used as  springboard for developing  reading skills of learners Health themes can be integrated into Science to foster  deeper understanding of health-related concepts…Peace Education themes can be integrated into Technology and Livelihood Education to allow learners to explore how technology can be used for conflict resolution, communication, and community building,” DepEd said.

DepEd wants to improve its hotline for child abuse to make it easier to remember and encourage reporting of bullying incidents,  problem that affects students’ performance.

DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said Marcos wants to address bullying to improve  Philippines’ PISA ranking.

Bullying was among  factors tied to students’ low scores, along with  use of digital devices, language at home and teachers’ specialization.

“We are strengthening what we call  child protection committees in schools… with regard to  reporting system, we are continuously improving it. ..although we have Learner Rights and Protection Office, we want to have  hotline   easier to recall, for example, so children could use it,” Poa said.

Incidents of child abuse may be reported to landline (02) 8632-1372, mobile number 0945 175 9777, email weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph or facebook.com/deped.lrpo.

Poa said 152 cases of bullying and other abuses have been endorsed while 209 cases are being monitored. Endorsed cases have been referred to concerned regions and divisions while monitored cases are those that are progressing.

Total  of 120 cases have been resolved.

“We are still trying to see if  numbers are improving…if there are only  few calls, you would be happy because  cases of abuse are few… but on  flip side, it is also possible  it is not that effective,” Poa said, noting that students may experience bullying even at home due to social media.

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HEADLINES

Indonesia vows to look into Veloso case

By Nidz Godino

“Yes, with  decision of  Indonesian government to look into  case filed by Mary Jane Veloso in the Philippines,” Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Indonesia has vowed to look into the case of Mary Jane Veloso,  Filipina on death row in Yogyakarta over drug-related charges.

 “In fact,  Indonesian government is waiting for decision of  Philippine court on the case she filed,” Garafil added.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of his three-day official visit to the Philippines.

 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said  legal interrogatories required from Philippine Regional Trial Court on the case of Veloso have been sent to Jakarta for her to answer, as part of her testimony on  pending case that she filed against her illegal recruiters.

DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Marcos expressed hope progression of the case of Veloso would merit her clemency “at the appropriate time.”

“Government will continuously exhaust all efforts to assist Ms. Veloso and her family,” Lazaro said.

Veloso’s family was able to visit and spend several days with her last Christmas through  help of  DFA and the Philippine embassy in Jakarta, she added.

Veloso was arrested at  Yogyakarta airport in 2010 after 2.6 kilos of heroin were found in her luggage.

She has denied involvement in  illegal drug trade, saying she was not aware that heroin was placed in her baggage.

According to her,  drug syndicate had tricked her into bringing illicit drugs to Indonesia from Malaysia while she was looking for  job.

Veloso was sentenced to death in 2010. She was supposed to be executed by firing squad in April 2015, but was given a temporary reprieve after her recruiter surrendered to Philippine authorities.

In 2022, Marcos administration appealed for clemency for Veloso.

SMNI to NTC: specify network’s violations

By Cynthia Montojo

“Order of 19 December 2023 did not specify  violation, by  respondent, of its Certificate of Public Convenience, which is within  purview and jurisdiction of this Honorable Office,” Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) filed  pleading before National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)  asking  commission to specify  violations committed by the network. 

SMNI asked this through its lawyers Mark Tolentino and Rolex Suplico as it filed motion for Bill of Particulars before  NTC, asking  commission to explain in detail  network’s franchise violations with attached documentary evidence. 

 “As such  respondent cannot intelligently file  responsive pleading without first being informed of charges against it, particularly its violation of its Certificate of Public Convenience,” it added.

Motion  for Bill of Particulars is  motion  respondent can file or  accused can ask complainant or  petitioner to specify  alleged defects of  complaint or information and  details desired.

On December 19,  NTC imposed  30-day suspension on SMNI,  network owned by Apollo Quiboloy,  on  most wanted list of  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

 Network’s hosts, known for red-tagging, were prohibited from airing following House Resolution 189 approved by  House of Representatives (HoR).

House Resolution accused  Quiboloy-owned network of intentionally disseminating false information, transferring shares without congressional approval, and failing to make at least 30% of its outstanding stock available.

On January 4, SMNI also asked  NTC to direct its commissioners to inhibit network’s franchise violation case.

It argued  commission’s “impartiality” being both  complainant and  judge violates due process of law. 

Quiboloy-owned network has also submitted  petition before  Court of Appeals (CA) on Dec. 28, 2023, asking  high court to halt NTC’s suspension of  network.

 CA has yet to release  decision of  network’s petition.

NTC  acknowledged SMNI’s motion for Bill of Particulars and also granted  network’s request for  15-day extension for response.

“ NTC is objectively studying Respondent Swara Sug/SMNI’s afore-mentioned Motions, and shall proceed to consider and resolve  same in adherence to  provisions of NTC’s Rules of Procedure, and tenets of fair play and due process,”  commission’s statement read. 

SMNI’s lawyers also filed  appeal before  Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) asking  board to lift  suspension of two programs of  network “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” hosted by Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan,” hosted by Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz.

“Wherefore, considering all  foregoing, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Office  decision dated 03 January 2024 be reconsidered and set aside and that  suspension for period of 28 days inclusive of  14 days preventive suspension period be lifted,” it said.

According to  SMNI’s motion,  suspension violated  right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression of the press, and due process of law.

Board  first issued  14-day preventive suspension on December 14 to probe  alleged violations of the network.

On January 3,  MTRCB said Duterte and Badoy’s television programs had violated Section 3 paragraph C of  Presidential Decree 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. This prompted  board to impose  28-day suspension of  program. 

Section 3 of  referenced Presidential Decree delineates  authority and duties of  MTRCB. In paragraph C, it specifies  board’s ability to suspend television programs deemed “objectionable” for various reasons such as immorality, indecency, violation of law and/or good customs, harm to  reputation of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or having  dangerous tendency to encourage violence or commission of wrong or crime.

MTCRB acknowledged SMNI’s appeal.

“It is within SMNI’s rights to file such motion…  part of  due process afforded to all entities dealing with our office… we will thoroughly review SMNI’s motion for reconsideration in strict accordance with our functions and responsibilities as mandated by Presidential Decree 1986,”  board’s statement read.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Galatians 3:26-28

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Comelec probes vote buying for Cha-cha

By Nidz Godino

“We will have  local Comelec look into this once they receive signatures from proponents of  people’s initiative,” Commission on Elections (Comelec)  Chairman George Garcia said .Comelec will look into reports of  “vote buying” for people’s initiative pushing for Charter change or Cha-cha.

People’s initiative or  “power of the people” is  constitutional provision empowering  public to propose amendments to  Constitution by lodging  petition signed by at least 12 percent of registered voters.

Garcia stressed that buying signatures for such initiative is technically illegal and thus  petition must not be accepted.

“It means  signing was not voluntary…but of course, this needs to be proven,” Garcia noted.

Should  people’s initiative for Cha-cha be verified by  Comelec, Garcia said  around P13 billion will be required to conduct  national plebiscite to determine if Filipino people will favor or reject  proposed constitutional amendment.

Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos is seeking  Senate investigation into  alleged P20-million payoffs and misrepresentations in  signature campaign for  people’s initiative.

Marcos filed Senate Resolution 902 directing  appropriate Senate committee to conduct  inquiry, in aid of legislation, into alleged payoffs and misrepresentations in  signature campaign.

In  online article, Marcos said  certain lawmakers claim  coordinators of  certain party-list group received  unspecified amount of money to ensure their constituents will provide  required three percent of total voters per municipality for  people’s initiative to amend Constitution to gain ground.

She said according to Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, Albay’s League of Mayors was called for  general meeting at Ellis Hotel in Legazpi City, allegedly owned by Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, on Jan. 5 without telling  mayors about  specific agenda.

Lagman further stated  voters who would sign  petition or people’s initiative will be given P100 each.

“These reported payoffs in  signature campaign for People’s Initiative to amend Constitution and  blatant manner by which ordinary citizens, particularly those in need of government aid, are being misled and exploited,  unconscionable acts of corruption  inimical to  very concept of democracy,”  resolution added.

Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health belied allegations that funds for  government’s medical and emergency employment programs are being used for  people’s initiative.

 Department of the Interior and Local Government also denied any participation in supposed initiative, with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos saying  DILG is prohibited from such campaigns.

Reliable sources told media that barangay officials in La Union were being utilized to gather signatures of at least 20 qualified voters in their respective purok to sign  form urging  Marcos administration to revise  Constitution through people’s initiative.

Signature  campaign started Jan. 10 and was done through  initiative of La Union Reps. Paolo Ortega (1st District) and Dante Garcia (2nd District).

Some  residents unaware of  purpose of  campaign were obliged to sign documents after  kagawads explained  it is to survey those who are eligible to vote in presidential elections.

 Those  knowledgeable of  Cha-cha issue and are in favor of its revision signed document, while those who are against it have abstained.

 Source  said majority of respondents were in favor of Cha-cha, not only its economic provision but also some other aspects of the Constitution.

Some  residents reportedly signed document being peddled in  belief  it was for  distribution of government aid.

Fisher’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said its members in Bicol reported on Jan. 7 three government officials, including lawyer from  provincial government, arrived in Barangay Cota na Daco, Gubat, Sorsogon urging residents to sign petition for Charter change through  people’s initiative.

Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap said their members declined to sign petition due to lack of clear explanation from  officials regarding  purpose and benefits to  people of  signature campaign.

Group  behind  People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action or PIRMA during  administration of late former president Fidel Ramos  said it was behind “EDSA-pwera” television ads pushing for amendments to  1987 Constitution.

Lawyers Alex Avisado of  Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices confirmed  it was his group behind  pro-Charter change ads aired on major TV networks GMA, TV5 and ABS-CBN.

Avisado denied government funds were used to fund  ads and claimed  money came from donations.

Meanwhile, Lagman alleged that  Marcos family has something to do with  “EDSA-pwera” advertisement.

“EDSA-pwera Charter change ad campaign is part of  Marcos family’s continuing demonization of  EDSA People’s Power Revolution which ousted  Marcos and helped install  present 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Lagman said.

“Using EDSA-pwera as  catch phrase,  ad also misleads viewers by saying  it was farmers, students and local businessmen who were  ones disadvantaged by 1987 Constitution, but what  voiceover and  placards are saying is that more foreigners should wholly own land, businesses and even schools in our country,” House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte  strongly opposed  people’s initiative for Cha-cha, saying  it is not  voice of the people but  voice of  few who want to perpetuate themselves in power.

Duterte also alleged  he got information that PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles is leading  initiative in Davao City.

“To all Dabawenyos, do not sell your soul for  mere P100 or P10,000 in exchange for your signature…if you want to follow  minions of  person dreaming to be great in Congress to perdition, that is your choice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nationalist People’s Coalition chairman Vicente Sotto III said  NPC is not behind reported people’s initiative and that it will not support or endorse anything.

Labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) urged public, including workers, to oppose  Cha-cha signature campaign, saying that people must stay away from  “Trapo-led” initiative and instead demand  government’s action on urgent concerns.

“If they can easily purchase  new Constitution via People’s Initiative, then what will prevent them from making another purchase to perpetuate themselves in power,” PM chair Renato Magtubo pointed out.

To create more jobs and income opportunities for Filipinos, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales urged senators to heed business sector for economic and business reforms in the Constitution.

Gonzales said  luring in foreign investors is the goal of  House of Representatives in pushing for  amendment of economic provisions in  Constitution that “restrict  flow of foreign capital into the country.”

He underscored “consistent refusal” of senators to consider House initiatives for Charter reform has prompted many congressmen to push for  people’s initiative for constitutional amendments,  mechanism that will bypass Senate.

Ph Grid Code strictly followed, NGCP insists

By J.Lo

“We have not learned,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros recalled last Senate probe into previous power outage incident in the country was less than a year old.

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) maintained  it “simply followed” protocols set by  Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in responding to  multiple plant shutdowns in Panay on Jan. 2  led to  widespread blackout in Western Visayas.

Power  transmission operator said  based on its own records and system data, it saw no abnormality in system voltage from  time between  shutdown of Panay Energy Development Corp. 1 (PEDC-1) at 12:06 in the afternoon and  subsequent shutdown of Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (PCPC) at 2:19 in the afternoon

Citing Section 6.2.3.4 of  Philippine Grid Code, NGCP said  instances where there is  unplanned outage of  plant but  system remains stable, manual corrective intervention should not be imposed to anticipate  occurrence of  second event.

NGCP added  disengaging loads manually or disconnecting thousands of households from their supply of power in anticipation of subsequent grid event is prohibited under rules.

Jan. 2 incident,  NGCP reiterated, was due to unplanned outages of multiple power generators in Panay Island, triggered by unexpected shutdown of PCPC,  large plant with  capacity of 135 megawatts.

Eventually  cascaded to other plants on the island, thus leading to  Panay subgrid blackout.

Department of Energy earlier said  Jan. 2 incident could have been prevented had NGCP been proactive, citing  two-hour window when  company could have called on distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in Panay to reduce their load to prevent  subsystem-wide collapse.

Meanwhile, senators bristled at NGCP’s claim it fulfilled its mandate of stabilizing grid during  Jan. 2 incident in Panay  led to  four-day blackout.

During  Senate energy committee’s hearing into  power outage, NGCP OIC-AVP Clark Agustin maintained they kept  grid stable.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who presided over  hearing, slammed  NGCP for failing to do anything during  two-hour period.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian added it was “misleading” for NGCP to say  grid was stable when 300 MW were lost in  grid after six power plants tripped.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas urged senators to seek accountability for  outage  cost  city P500 million in losses per day or total of P2 billion for four-day outage.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. added  province “suffered P3.8 billion in damages that translated to economic loss.”

NGCP blamed outage on  shutdown of  PEDC-1 at 12:06 p.m. followed by  PCPC two hours later, cascading to other power generators and cutting Panay Island and Guimaras from  Visayas grid.

ERC Chair Monalisa Dimalanta said  commission disagreed with NGCP’s view that  situation was still stable during  two-hour period before power plants started tripping.

ERC has yet to conclude its probe into  incident.

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HEADLINES

FMJ hopeful of clemency for Veloso

By Nidz Godino

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that  progression of the case of Ms. Veloso will merit her clemency at the appropriate time,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in  statement released by Presidential Communications Office President Marcos remains hopeful that Mary Jane Veloso,  Filipina on death row for the past 14 years, will be granted clemency by  Indonesian government.

During Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s official visit legal interrogatories required from  Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court on the case of Veloso have been sent to Jakarta for her to answer as part of her testimony on the case she filed against her illegal recruiters.

Both Marcos and Widodo meanwhile affirmed  need to uphold international law and to maintain stability in the region during their bilateral meeting.

Two  leaders tackled  longstanding maritime dispute in  South China Sea and possible procurement of Indonesia-made anti-submarine aircraft for  Philippine Navy.

Widodo met with FMJ in Malacañang as part of his three-day official visit to Philippines, came as Manila and Jakarta are preparing to celebrate  75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

 Meeting  took place as tensions surround West Philippine Sea , area in  South China Sea inside  Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf  because of China’s increasingly aggressive actions to assert its claims.

 Family  of Mary Jane Veloso appealed anew to  governments of the Philippines and Indonesia to spare her from  death penalty and free her.

In  handwritten letter written entirely in Filipino, Mary Jane’s mother Celia asked President Widodo, currently visiting the country, to grant clemency for her daughter.

“Labing-apat na taon na po na naghirap nagdusa na walang kasalanan,” she wrote.

She maintained  possible clemency from Widodo for Veloso would be  birthday gift for her daughter.

She also stressed Mary Jane’s recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao have been convicted.

Celia also wrote  letter to President Marcos,  she said is  third president she appealed for help, to lobby for Mary Jane’s release.

Aside from Celia, her husband Cesar and Mary Jane’s two sons also signed her letter for Marcos.  Letter  was delivered through Migrante International that held  rally at Mendiola.

 “President Widodo and I had  fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interest such as  developments in  South China Sea and ASEAN ,Association of Southeast Asian Nations cooperation and initiatives,  Philippines and Indonesia affirmed our insistence on  universality of UNCLOS ,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,  sets out  legal framework  governs all activities in  oceans and in  seas”, Marcos said at  joint press briefing after their meeting.

Widodo said he and Marcos agreed  ASEAN,  Philippines and Indonesia are founding members, should “continue to uphold  principles of international law and become positive force for peace, stability and prosperity.”

“We agreed on strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality not merely a jargon,”  Indonesian leader added.

During  bilateral meeting, Widodo sought Marcos’ support for  purchase of anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Widodo did not provide details of  air assets Indonesia is offering  Philippines. There was no mention of  military equipment in Marcos’ public statements.

Last month,  Philippine government reported  Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels had “harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers” on Filipino civilian supply boats to “illegally” prevent them from providing supplies to Philippine Navy troops stationed at  Ayungin Shoal.

Philippines had slammed China for resorting to  water cannon attack and ramming to block  resupply mission bound for shoal, within Manila’s EEZ and continental shelf. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 118:5-6

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Ex-soldier raps for socmed report

By J.Lo

“We expect prosecutor’s office will send summons to accused to give him time to respond to  complaint,” Philippine National Police (PNP) public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo Fajardo said retired military man is facing cybercrime charges for using  image of PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in his vlog about  alleged ouster plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.that went viral.

Fajardo said at  press briefing in Camp Crame that Acorda had already filed  complaint with  Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against vlogger Johnny Lacsamana Macanas Sr. for dissemination of false information using  photo of the PNP chief in  viral vlog regarding an alleged destabilization plot by disgruntled military officers and personnel.

Fajardo said  vlogger is  retired AFP member, but it was not immediately clear what his rank in  military was.

She said  complaint against Macanas is for violation of Article 154 of  Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10591, in connection with Section 6 of Cybercrime Law. She said  investigation is still ongoing to determine other possible case against Macanas.

“Misusing social media to spread false information for personal or political gain is unacceptable,” Fajardo said.

Acorda, for his part, called out other content creators sowing disinformation on social media regarding alleged destabilization threats against  Marcos administration, saying their action is “unforgiveable.”

“It hurts me that there are people who, just to gain popularity in their vlogs, create disinformation…posting unfounded claims such as  withdrawal of support or the resignation of the President is unforgivable,” Acorda said  in  speech during flag ceremony.

He underscored  sacrifices made by law enforcement in service to the nation, including working in challenging conditions to keep peace and promote  country’s development.

He emphasized  false narratives could adversely affect  country’s image and hinder efforts to attract investments and tourism.

“We don’t tolerate these things, and  people are counting on us…our fellow citizens know that we are making sacrifices for  greater good… I hope for  little respect, even just for  uniform,” he said.

Acorda also called on law enforcers to maintain integrity and uphold  trust and confidence of  public.

 Call  for unity against disinformation, he said, resonates as  critical aspect of preserving  nation’s stability and security.

Fajardo said there is no evidence of any destabilization plot, and even Armed Forces of the Philippines has denied  existence of such plot.

Fajardo appealed to those spreading fake news and disinformation to be responsible for their actions, saying they could be criminally charged for violation of Cybercrime Prevention Act and face prison terms or fines ranging from P40,000 to P200,000 or both.

She stressed PNP remains “apolitical, solid and ready to address any threats to national security.”

Philippines welcomes Indonesia’s Widodo

By Nidz Godino

“Two leaders are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and expanding Philippines-Indonesia ties, especially as  two countries will celebrate their 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in November 2024,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Indonesian President Joko Widodo  arrived in the country for  three-day official visit.

He is scheduled to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.at Malacañang.

In their meeting, two leaders are expected “to take stock of  progress in Philippines-Indonesia relations” following Marcos’ state visit to Jakarta from Sept. 4 to 6, 2022.

FMJ state visit to Indonesia in 2022 was his first foreign trip as president.

 Philippines and Indonesia are founding members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

DFA described two nations as “close neighbors and partners that have enjoyed longstanding and robust cooperation in  wide range of areas in political, economic and people-to-people relations.”

FMJ also attended  42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia in May and 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in September last year.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo is set to meet today with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi to exchange views on key regional and international issues.

At  press briefing, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said  two officials were to meet for  convening of  Ministerial Meeting of  7th Philippines-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).

JCBC is  primary dialogue mechanism between  Philippines and Indonesia for reviewing accomplishments on mutual collaboration initiatives, as well as for exchanging views on issues of mutual interest and enhancing cooperation.

After Widodo’s visit, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to arrive in Manila also for  official visit from Jan. 11 to 12. Baerbock’s visit is upon Manalo’s invitation.

“Visit to  Philippines is part of  foreign minister’s official travel to  Middle East and Southeast Asia… Foreign Minister Baerbock’s visit marks  first visit by  German Federal Foreign Minister to  Philippines in over decade,” Daza said.

According to Daza, Baerbock will visit  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters and  Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

 Visit  will take place as  Philippines and Germany celebrate this year  70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

“What is clear is  commonality between  Philippines and Germany when it comes to  importance of rules-based order,” Daza said.

“German foreign minister will be visiting our PCG… underscores  importance of  Philippines being  archipelagic country…hopefully  visit will result not only in understanding of  situation in  South China Sea but as well trainings that can be offered to  Coast Guard by Germany,” she added.

DFA estimated 32,000 Filipinos in Germany.