GOVPH

UP SYSTEM PRESIDENT JIMENEZ VISITS PHL EMBASSY, MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND ALUMNI

Seoul, 11 May 2025 – University of the Philippines (UP) System President Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez, accompanied by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo Cubillan, visited the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 11 May 2025 as part of efforts to expand UP’s global engagement and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in South Korea. While in Korea, the UP officials took part in the APEC University Leaders’ Forum 2025: Leveraging AI in Higher Education to address Asia Pacific challenges on 13 May 2025 in Jeju Island, Korea.They likewise met with officials of Korea University in Seoul.

President Jimenez and VP Cubillan were welcomed by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, who briefed the delegation on the profile of Filipino students, scholars, and professionals currently based in Korea—including UP alumni and faculty involved in specialized sectors. The briefing also highlighted areas of mutual academic and research interest between the Philippines and South Korea.

President Jimenez later met with officers of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Korea Chapter, where he underscored the importance of the UP alumni network in advancing the University’s institutional priorities. He encouraged alumni to actively contribute to UP’s efforts to enhance research capacity and promote international collaboration in priority fields such as STEM, nuclear science, and medicine.

Also in attendance during the visit were Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Agriculture Attaché Lev Nikko Makalintal, Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco, MWO-OIC Manolo Barotilla, and representatives of the DOT-Seoul office.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for UP’s internationalization goals and expressed readiness to help facilitate future partnerships between UP and Korean institutions—particularly in areas of academic exchange, innovation, and alumni mobilization. END

PHL EMBASSY IN SEOUL CONDUCTS FIRST ONLINE OVERSEAS VOTING

13 May 2025, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul with the Attached Agencies conducted the first-ever Philippine Online Overseas Voting for the national elections from 13 April to 12 May 2025 in the Republic of Korea and Mongolia. The Embassy likewise undertook 8 field pre-enrollment and voting outreach missions in Gwangju, Geoje, Busan, Incheon, Goyang, Hyehwadong, and Daegu throughout the voting period, as well as online assistance sessions to various Filipino community organizations. Counting and canvassing of votes took place at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy after the close of voting on 12 May 2025.

In accordance with the guidelines of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Certificates of Canvass (COCs) and Election Returns (ERs) for both Korea and Mongolia have been posted in the lobby of the Philippine Embassy building for the information of the public. The public may likewise visit the website of the COMELEC at 2025electionresults.comelec.gov.ph/ to view the said results and for other election-related updates. END

PHILIPPINES JOINS CALL FOR OCEAN ACTION AT 10TH OUR OCEANS CONFERENCE

Top: Undersecretary for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Atty. Jonas Leones led the Philippine delegation. Below: The Philippine delegation to the OOC brought senior-level members of our national agencies together to discuss marine issues. Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the delegation. He was joined by Undersecretary Drusila Bayate of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Undersecretary Marlo Iringan of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and Maritime and Oceans Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

28-30 April 2025, Busan - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul took part along with other Philippine representatives in the 10th Our Ocean Conference, held from 28 - 30 April 2025 in Busan, ROK.

The Philippine delegation to the OOC brought senior-level members of oceans-related national agencies together to discuss marine issues, propose further cooperation in support of our national goals, and affirm voluntary commitments from the Philippines on critical areas such as strengthening and institutionalizing ocean governance, marine pollution, protection of our coral reefs, and the conservation of endangered marine species, among others.

Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the delegation. He was joined by Undersecretary Drusila Bayate of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Undersecretary Marlo Iringan of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and Maritime and Oceans Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

During the session plenary for maritime pollution, Undersecretary Leones highlighted the successes of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which works hand-in-hand with the ocean-based plastic recovery initiatives of the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as the ongoing formulation of a National Ocean Environments Policy for the holistic protection and conservation of our marine environments—from Ridge to Reef to Shelf, and even in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Members of the delegation likewise participated in several panel sessions including Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century and “From Busan to Nice: Accelerating Ambition in the Race for Ratification of the High Seas Treaty” where DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs (MOAO) Louis Alferez represented the Philippines. During these side events, Assistant Secretary Alferez highlighted promoting adherence to international law and the rules-based order, effective diplomacy, building better platforms for engagement and cooperation, and building up domestic capacities as part of the Philippines’ maritime statecraft. He also underscored the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to promoting multilateralism and adherence to international law, particularly the UNCLOS - the Constitution of the Ocean - through the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement.

Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action,” the conference was organized around six Areas of Action: blue economy; sustainable fisheries; maritime security; marine pollution; climate change; and marine protected areas.

The Philippine delegation also held bilateral meetings with other participating countries and representatives of organizations, including with former US Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the main proponent of the Our Ocean Conference during its conceptualization 2014, to discuss the offshore wind energy industry in the Philippines; and Canada Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Annette Gibbons, to discuss issues on IUU fishing and Dark Vessel Detection, and explore possible capacity-building and knowledge exchange for Filipino scientists and ocean environment managers.

The 10^th Our Oceans Conference in Busan complements the upcoming UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France in June 2025. As maritime nations, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea stand as strategic partners bound by our shared values and mutual commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. Our active maritime cooperation is a key facet of our long-standing and dynamic strategic partnership. END

Undersecretary Leones shared the Philippines’ plans and programs for the sustainable development of the country’s blue economy in the Plenary Session titled "Actions toward Creating an Innovative Framework for the Blue Economy." He also emphasized that sustainably harnessing the blue economy comes hand in hand with the protection and conservation of our biodiversity and natural resources.

Members of the delegation also participated in several panel sessions including Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century and “From Busan to Nice: Accelerating Ambition in the Race for Ratification of the High Seas Treaty” co-organized by the High Seas Alliance where DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs (MOAO) Louis Alferez represented the Philippines. He was joined by ROK Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-Hyun, HSA Director Rebecca Hubbard, and high-level representatives from the Governments of Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, European Union, France, Maldives, Palau, as well as the Natural Resources Defense Council, IUCN, RISE UP, CORI, Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative. 

Top, right: DFA Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez delivers his remarks at the side event titled "Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century" organized by the Stimson Center and Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Bottom: During the session plenary for maritime pollution, Undersecretary Leones highlighted the successes of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which works hand-in-hand with the ocean-based plastic recovery initiatives of the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as the ongoing formulation of a National Ocean Environments Policy for the holistic protection and conservation of our marine environments—from Ridge to Reef to Shelf, and even in areas beyond national jurisdiction.