GOVPH

COMELEC WITH PHL EMBASSY CONDUCT ONLINE VOTING TRAINING FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA

Busan, South Korea – The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the Philippine Embassy in Korea conducted a training session on the Online Voting and Canvassing System (OVCS) for Filipino Community leaders in Busan on 8 June 2024. This initiative is part of COMELEC’s broader strategy to increase voter turnout and facilitate easier voting access for Filipinos living abroad.

Attended by 75 Filipino community leaders from 44 Filipino community organizations in South Korea, the training session focused on the general policies and technical aspects of the new online voting system, set to be implemented for the upcoming Overseas Voting in 2025.

COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia emphasized the necessity of this initiative, noting that despite the highest recorded turnout in history during the 2022 elections, only 40.59% of the 1.697 million registered overseas voters participated. Chairperson Garcia stressed that the new system aims to address the logistical challenges and enhance voter experience among the increasing numbers of Overseas Filipinos, especially in South Korea.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega thanked the Filipino Community for participating in the training session and encouraged the organizations to encourage more Filipinos to register for the forthcoming electoral exercises, emphasizing the critical role that the diaspora plays in nation-building.

Resource persons included COMELEC Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo who gave an overview of the authentication guidelines and timelines involved in the online voting process, while Director Eden C. Bolo provided technical information on how a registered Overseas Voter may avail of the online voting process. The COMELEC officials appreciated the Filipino Community leaders’ active participation and voicing out of their concerns and constructive suggestions based on their own experience and knowledge of Internet-based transactions and the situation of many of their members in Korea.

COMELEC Commissioners Aimee P. Ferolino and Nelson Celis, Directors Ester Villaflor-Roxas, Michelle Frances Paredes, Celia Romero and John Rex C. Laudiangco, as well as DFA-OVS Vice Chair Robert D. Quintin likewise participated to support the OVCS training and outreach to the Filipino Community.

The training session in Busan is part of a global information campaign that COMELEC has scheduled in various countries to educate and prepare Overseas Voters for online voting and receive feedback and suggestions from Filipino Communities abroad. The training session in Busan may be viewed through the COMELEC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/100064675240177/videos/828315262530347.

The Philippine Embassy continues to partner and work actively with Filipino Community Organizations in promoting Overseas Voter registration for all qualified Filipinos in South Korea to avail of the new online voting system during the 30-day voting period from 13 April 2025 to 12 May 2025. Overseas Filipinos who are at least 18 years of age on the day of the elections (12 May 2025), and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register as Overseas Voters in order to exercise their sacred right of suffrage and continue to contribute to nation-building. END

ALAS PILIPINAS HOLDS EXHIBITION GAME IN DAEGU, JOINS PISTANG PINOY SA KOREA 2024

09 June 2024, Seoul. The Philippine National Women’s Volleyball Team, ALAS PILIPINAS, recently engaged in a thrilling exhibition match with the local powerhouse team, Powerful Daegu, during their visit to Daegu on 08 June 2024 at the Chimsandong Gym. Daegu, South Korea. This event is one of the activities commemorating 75 years of Philippine-Korea Diplomatic Relations organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

Realized with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and its events partner NeoColors Production with the support of the Daegu Metropolitan City Sports Council and the Daegu Metropolitan Government, the friendly match showcased both teams’ high level of skill and competitive yet friendly spirit.  The match attracted a large crowd, including members of the Overseas Filipino community in South Korea and local volleyball enthusiasts.

Alas Pilipinas, known for their dynamic playstyle and strategic prowess, put up a strong fight against Powerful Daegu, a team renowned for their robust defense and powerful spikes. The Alas Pilipinas recently won bronze in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, a historic win after a 63-year medal wait.

Following the match, the Alas Pilipinas team joined the Overseas Filipino community in Busan for the Pistang Pinoy sa South Korea 2024, an activity celebrating the 126th Philippine Independence Day, 29th National Migrant Workers’ Day, and 75 years of Philippines-Korea relations. The event featured the participation of Alas Pilipinas in a parade of traditional Filipino costumes and dances by the Overseas Filipino Community in South Korea.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega said that the vibrant atmosphere underscored the shared love of sports and cultural exchange between the Philippines and South Korea. She awarded a Plaque of Appreciation to the Alas Pilipinas, received by Team Captain Jia Morado-De Guzman and PNVF President Ramon Suzara, in recognition of their invaluable contribution in promoting Filipino athleticism, and strengthening the bilateral relations of the Philippines and South Korea in the field of sports. For more information on the Alas Pilipinas, please visit the PNVF website at https://volleyballphilippines.com/. END

SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE LAUNCHES NEW PHILIPPINE NAVY CORVETTE BRP MIGUEL MALVAR IN SOUTH KOREA

Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. attended the launching ceremony of BRP Miguel Malvar at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea on 18 June 2024. He was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and other officials. Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Prieto-Teodoro served as the ship’s godmother.

ULSAN, 18 JUNE 2024. Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. attended the launching ceremony of BRP Miguel Malvar at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea on 18 June 2024. Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Prieto-Teodoro served as the ship’s godmother. BRP Miguel Malvar is Hyundai Heavy Industries’ first corvette for the Philippine Navy and a symbol of increasing PH-ROK cooperation in defense modernization.

BRP Miguel Malvar is a state-of-the-art surface combatant measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in breadth, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar. It is named in honor of the Philippine independence activist and revolutionary General Miguel Malvar. The BRP Miguel Malvar will undergo sea trials and outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy by 2025.

At the Launching Ceremony, SND Teodoro looked forward to continued PH-ROK cooperation in defense modernization, stating that the partnership is a natural progression after standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the 1950s Korean War followed by 75 years of advanced cooperation across a multitude of fields. 

“We made a special effort to attend the launching of BRP Miguel Malvar to show our commitment to work with the government of the Republic of Korea towards ensuring a principled peace in the Indo-Pacific area,” the Secretary said.

As a defense modernization partner, the Secretary affirmed the good relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea by saying, “I am happy to note that companies in the Republic of Korea have proven their quality, their reliability, and good faith in negotiations. Governance standards are kept high. Therefore, we look forward to working with you on a sustainable and sustained basis.”

HHI CEO Mr. Sang-Kyun Lee conveyed that HHI is returning, with gratitude the sacrifice made by the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who fought in the 1950s Korean War and that the company will strive to participate in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Horizon 3 Modernization Program to contribute to the advancement of the Philippine’s Navy’s Defense Capabilities.

At the luncheon that followed the launching ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega said that it is an auspicious occasion to be launching a critical naval asset during the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Republic of Korea relations.  She assured that both countries will continue to work together based on shared principles such as respect for human rights, democracy, and the rules-based order and looked forward to strengthening the Philippines’ partnership with the ROK in defense.

During his short visit to the Republic of Korea, SND Teodoro was able to meet high-level officials from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Director General for International Policy Lee Seung-Beon, the Korean Coast Guard (KCG) Vice Admiral Kang Dongwi, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Vice Minister Kang Hwan-seung. In a side meeting with high-level officials, Secretary Teodoro affirmed the historic and enduring partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea based on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and conveyed that, “Our participation in the fight for freedom during the Korean War would be wasted if we do not continue the fight for a rules-based international order. What we are doing (partnership in defense modernization) is a continuation of the cooperation of our forefathers.”

He likewise expressed appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s public statements expressing serious concern for aggressive actions in the South China Sea that go against a rules-based maritime order and endanger Philippine vessels and crew members. SND Teodoro encouraged the PH-ROK partnership to move forward through capacity-building and specific confidence-building measures, including practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea especially on the maritime front.

The Republic of Korea is a major defense modernization partner to the Philippines. HHI is actively supporting the Philippine Navy’s efforts to modernize and reinforce Philippine naval forces through contracts to build new ships and maintain their interoperability during the ship lifecycle under the AFP Modernization Program (Horizon II). A total of ten (10) new vessels, ranging from Frigates, Corvettes, and Off-shore Patrol Vessels from HHI will augment the Philippine fleet.

The BRP Miguel Malvar Launching Ceremony was also attended by Undersecretary for Civil, Veteran, and Reserve Affairs, Mr. Pablo M. Lorenzo, Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management, Mr. Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), LTGEN Romeo S. Brawner, and Flag Officer-In-Command of the Philippine Navy, VADM Toribio D. Adaci Jr. and other distinguished guests.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul also honors the efforts of Overseas Filipino Workers in South Korea working at HHI’s Ulsan shipyard who have contributed immensely to the construction of BRP Miguel Malvar. END

BRP Miguel Malvar is a state-of-the-art surface combatant measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in breadth, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar.

Secretary Teodoro also had the opportunity to engage with Filipino military servicemen detailed in the Republic of Korea and thanked them for their service. Filipino military servicemen in Korea are a source of pride for the country, often gaining recognition during scholarship for their exceptional performance while stationed in ROK.

Secretary Teodoro had the opportunity to meet with HHI senior officials and ROK officials in defense. SND Teodoro encouraged the PH-ROK partnership to move forward through capacity-building and specific confidence-building measures, including practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea especially on the maritime front.

SND Teodoro, PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and other PH defense officials in a brief meeting with Ministry of National Defense Director General for International Policy Lee Seung Beon.

Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Louise Prieto Teodoro (in cream, fourth from left) served as the BRP Miguel Malvar’s godmother.

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro and Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega raise a toast to PH-ROK defense modernization. Secretary Teodoro underscored that PH-ROK cooperation is kinship forged in blood moving forward with an indomitable spirit.