GOVPH

PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION AND EMERGING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AT HIGH-LEVEL MEETING

27 June 2024, Gyeonggi-do. National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Atty. Ella Lopez and Philippine Special Envoy to the Republic of Korea for Digital Transformation Dennis Uy, together with Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, met with high-level officials of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) on 27 June 2024 at the KCC headquarters in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea to exchange best practices on the regulatory practices for telecommunications, including the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence-enabled platforms.

KCC Vice Chairman Lee Sang-In welcomed the Philippine delegation to KCC and underscored the importance of harnessing the challenges and opportunities of innovative Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) such as global-based services, Over-the-Top (OTT) services, chatGPT, and artificial intelligence as part of the international community. KCC’s primary mandate is to protect users and viewers from harmful content and practices in telecommunications through the regulation of online broadcasting services, platform players, and anti-trust practices domestically and globally. The Philippines, through the NTC, is working towards similar goals of telecommunications regulation to protect users from harmful and malevolent media content. Both sides had a productive discussion of their respective institutional frameworks and agreed to work together on areas that require stronger international cooperation and information-sharing such as overseas regulation, AI platforms, and online-based streaming and selling services.  

NTC Commissioner Lopez conveyed the Philippines’ interest in learning the end-to-end process of KCC’s investigation and sanctions imposed on harmful online content and in cooperation with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and regulatory policies, especially those that involve harmful online presence.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega looked forward to future engagement with KCC as NTC seeks to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework as well as its IT infrastructure.

Special Envoy for Digital Transformation Dennis Uy expressed his appreciation for KCC’s openness and readiness to share knowledge and experience in ICT policies with the NTC. The Special Envoy looked forward to more opportunities where the Republic of Korea can help enhance Philippine goals for transformative ICT policies.

The three senior officials from the Philippines were joined by NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Bernard N. Blanco, NTC Director Imelda R. Walcien (Regulation), NTC Director Andres Castelar Jr. (Legal), Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario (Philippine Embassy in Seoul), Atty. Frank Martin Abalos (Office of the Special Envoy for Digital Transformation), and Mr. McNeil Mendoza (Office of the Special Envoy for Digital Transformation). The ROK side included Director Jong-Hwan Eom (International Cooperation Division), Director Ji-Hyun Cheon (Consumer Policy Coordination Division) and Director Woo-Seok Kim (Digital Illegal and Harmful Information Response Division).

Both the NTC and the KCC looked forward to follow-up engagements in the future to facilitate the exchange of best practices in managing new and emerging technologies in the field of communications aside from AI and possible technological transfer to aid the regulation of Philippine communications. END

PH EMBASSY IN SEOUL WELCOMES NATIONAL DEFENSE COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES MNSA CANDIDATES TO KOREA

24 June 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed students of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) under the MA in National Security Administration (MNSA) Programs and Executive Course Program to the chancery on 24 June 2024. The NDCP group visited the Republic of Korea from 23 to 28 June 2024 as part of their foreign travel and their Global Security and Development Study (GSDS) program.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed the NDCP class to the chancery and highlighted the importance of security and defense cooperation in the long-standing and enduring partnership of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario also briefed the students on the 75 year partnership of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, including its current priorities, the security situation in the region, and challenges and opportunities in the defense and security sector. A short Q&A followed where the students’ interest in the maturing defense procurement partnership of PH and ROK was highlighted. The Philippine Embassy sought the MNSA students’ support in strengthening military-to-military relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in every aspect. In order to appreciate the different branches of government in the ROK, the Philippine Embassy also arranged a tour of the plenary chamber of the National Assembly for the delegates.

The GSDS program provided the opportunity for MNSA Regular Class 59 and Executive Class to observe the political, economic, socio-cultural, techno-scientific, environmental, and military dynamics of the Republic of Korea through meetings with various organizations including the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND), the Korean Coast Guard (KCG), and the Korea National Defense University (KNDU). The MNSA Regular Class 59, is composed of sixty-five (65) students from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Foreign Armed Forces, and supported by 6 staff members of NDCP and 1 observer from the Department of National Defense. There were likewise foreign students and members of the Executive Class of the NDCP composed of senior government officials. The group was led by NPDC’s Vice President & Dean Dr. Alan A Lachica who completed his Ph.D. in International Studies (major in International Relations) from Sogang University in Seoul.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is pleased to contribute to the program’s foreign travel component, as the MNSA course under the NDCP is an esteemed and well-known graduate studies program for officials working in the Philippine national security sector. The foreign travel to the Republic of Korea provides the MNSA candidates an enhanced perspective as officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP responsible for shaping the future national security policies of the Philippines. END

PHL SUPREME COURT I.T. OFFICE AND OFFICE OF SPECIAL ENVOY FOR DIGITIZATION CONDUCT FOLLOW-THROUGH BENCHMARK STUDIES

26 June 2024, Seoul. The Supreme Court of the Philippines-Management Information Systems Office (MISO) embarked on an official visit to the Republic of Korea’s Supreme Court IT Center and Seoul Central District Court to conduct follow-through benchmark studies on potential digitization programs for the Philippine judicial system.

The delegation, led by Atty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy, who serves as the MISO Chief of Office and head technology officer of the Philippine Judiciary, engaged in discussions at the IT Center on escalation and service support systems needed by Philippine trial courts when implementing digitization programs. They also discussed operational requirements needed to support a robust IT system, including infrastructural requirements essential for supporting massive data storage needs. This aspect is crucial for the Philippine Judiciary, which aims to transition to a digital platform capable of handling extensive volumes of legal data securely and efficiently.

The visit also included a demonstration of Korea’s integrated eCourt system in the Seoul Central District Court. This court management system exemplifies cutting-edge judicial technology, incorporating features designed to streamline court processes, improve case management, and enhance overall judicial efficiency.

The meetings and demonstrations were part of a series of follow-throughs intended to assist the Supreme Court of the Philippines in implementing its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. The plan is a cornerstone of the judiciary's efforts to digitize court processes across over 2,500 trial courts throughout the Philippines. By adopting and integrating advanced technological solutions, the Philippine judiciary aims to significantly enhance its operational efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, represented by Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, facilitated the meetings and supported the delegation, together with the representative from the Office of the Special Envoy for Digitization Mr. Dennis Anthony Uy, Atty. Frank Abalos. Both offices continue to leverage international cooperation in advancing judicial reforms and harnessing technological advancements for improved public services. END