Foreign Affairs official explains lack of Asean agreement

Thursday, July 19, 2012
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) defended itself from accusations attributing to the Philippines the failure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to issue a joint communiqué at the 45th Asean Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cambodia.
In an article posted on www.gov.ph, DFA Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio said the non-issuance of the customary joint communiqué generated considerable reactions and commentaries because it was unprecedented in the association’s 45 years of existence.
Get updates on President Benigno Aquino III’s address to nation.
She said many of those reactions and commentaries were based on erroneous information, and she wished to lay down the facts.
“I feel it is my duty to present to all Filipinos the efforts made by the Philippine delegation to seek the unified support of Asean to the West Philippine Sea issue, which affects not only its member countries but the region as a whole…” Basilio said.
She hopes to present the real picture during the Ministerial Meeting from the point of view of a Filipino, and in the process, correct the grave misimpressions generated by some who were not present during those meetings.
Basilio was present during the discussions in the different sessions of the Asean caucus.
Chinese spokesperson Hong Lei earlier said the Asean meeting led by Phnom Penh (Chair) yielded positive results despite its failure to produce a joint communiqué, and demonstrated the common aspiration for the countries in this region to boost regional cooperation and achieve common development.
“China will maintain its support for the building of the Asean community, and comprehensively push forward the pragmatic cooperation in all areas for mutual benefit and win-win outcome,” Hong added.
But in Basilio’s article, she enumerated 10 “fictions” generated during the regional meeting, and detailed the facts behind it.
“Fiction: There was no joint communiqué because Asean failed to agree on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, and that never before has the regional association been as strained as it is today — and much of the blame might be put on the Philippine side.”
“Fact: Asean had already agreed on the key elements of the proposed Code of Conduct on the South China Sea for discussion with China. The Philippines was successful in having its suggested main elements included to give the Code the substance it requires. The strain being felt by Asean is not attributable to the Philippines but it was reportedly due to the failure of the Chair to gain a consensus. Within the Asean framework, the Philippines needed to be resolute in giving primacy to national interest,” Basilio said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario was also accused of denouncing China’s “duplicity” and “intimidation” in the West Philippine Sea, thereby souring the mood at the meeting designed to soothe tensions.
Basilio said the “souring of the mood” was attributed by everyone who was there to the failure of Asean to issue a joint communiqué, resulting from the Chair’s (Cambodia) firm position not to reflect the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, despite the view of the majority of the member-states that these developments impinge on the overall security of the region.
On the reference to “duplicity and intimidation,” she said the Philippines forged an agreement with a neighboring country for the simultaneous pull-out of all vessels inside the shoal, which it undertook in good faith.
However, that country that agreed to remove its barrier at the entrance of the shoal, to this day, “has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement and has maintained its ships inside and outside the shoal, as well as its barrier, in its aim to establish effective control and jurisdiction in the shoal and surrounding waters.”
While Basilio did not name which country she was referring to, it is believed to be China, with which the Philippines had a maritime standoff over the disputed Scarborough shoal.
Contrary to allegations that Phnom Penh’s strong position against the Philippine position in the Asean is quietly shared by four other member-states – Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Basilio said the country’s position was strongly supported by many countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and even the Asean secretary-general expressed support.
She said that Singapore, in its Foreign Ministry website, even claimed that it was a blow to Asean’s credibility that “it was unable to deal with something that is happening in our neighborhood and not say something about it.”
When the ministerial meeting failed to issue a communiqué, the Philippine side allegedly accused Cambodia of doing Beijing’s bidding.
But Basilio denied making accusations to Cambodia. “We did not accuse Cambodia of doing Beijing’s bidding, choosing to remain silent; other quarters preferred not to be silent,” she said.
On the alleged walk-out of Del Rosario in one of the meetings, Basilio clarified that the DFA Secretary stayed to finish the meeting and was steadfast in promoting and defending the Philippine national interest, even when his microphone went silent when he first began to speak on the Scarborough Shoal issue.
The standoff between China and the Philippines at the Scarborough Shoal began when the Philippines accused Chinese fishermen of poaching in its exclusive economic zone, including the shoal. Both sides sent government ships to the area.
The Philippines has withdrawn its vessels from the area, but Chinese government ships have remained at the shoal, which Beijing claims to have owned since ancient times.(JCV/Sunnex) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/07/19/foreign-affairs-official-explains-lack-asean-agreement-232723

Some of the good resorts in Pampanga offer good alternatives to hotel function rooms for seminars, corporate planning and meetings. More and more, Manila event planners prefer to hold planning sessions and meeting out of town in the north where participants can relax and unwind in outdoor facilities of some of the good resorts outside Manila. This way, the meetings can be much more productive as participants get a chance to enjoy the lake, beach and good picnic spots in a good resort in Clark Pampanga between seminars, planning sessions and meetings. Clearwater Resort is generally recognized by event planners as the best event venue in Clark Pampanga. Clearwater appears frequently on the top of a list of the best hotels in Pampanga. Visitors to Clark and Angeles City Pampanga seldom pass up the opportunity to relax and unwind by the lake of this popular resort in Pampanga.

The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila convenient safe and accessible is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga.

Event organizers and companies in Manila travel out of town to the north to hold their team building events and company outings in a good resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort located in Clark is well regarded as one of the best venues for team building near Manila. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines. Clark Pampanga offers many good resorts and hotels for a short trip out of Manila, and Clearwater is one of the best places to relax and unwind for a weekend getaway or a short holiday in Pampanga.

This private resort in Pampanga is a frequently visited vacation spot outside of Manila. Included in the list of resorts highly recommended for families with children visiting Clark Philippines is Clearwater Resort located conveniently in the central business district of Clark Freeport which is accessible from Manila.

Free internet WIFI access is offered to guests of this famous hotel in Clark Pampanga. Guests can even connect to Internet WIFI service near the white sand beach, by the famous lake of Clark or in any of the picnic grounds around this resort. This hotel in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good place for family trips in Pampanga.

Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila. Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress. Private resort is frequently visited during Holy Week and Easter Holidays for residents of Manila travelling out of town on getaway to the north to unwind and relax in outdoor resort.

During holy week, Easter holidays, Christmas, New Year, Halloween and especially the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind at this famous resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is the hotel in Clark that visitors prefer for family bonding and team building outside of Manila.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)