French, Phl senators discuss environmental, diplomatic cooperation

Included in the talks are cooperation and ties between the Philippines and France, especially the issue on climate change.

The meeting was led by Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, together with Sen. Loren Legarda, head of the Philippine-France Parliamentary Friendship Association, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, senators Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor ejercito and their French counterparts senators Gerard Miquel, Bernard Saugey, Claude Lenoir and Simon Sutour.

According to Sen. Pimentel, the meeting is important because after a 16-year hiatus or lack of inter-parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between the French Republic and the Senate of the Philippines, it is high time to promote the parliamentary diplomacy and the exchange of best practices of the two countries.

“With this visit, we can renew and deepen our inter-parliamentary cooperation with France once more, exchange best practices and pursue global advocacies such as climate, sustainable development, poverty alleviation and improvement of economic and trade relations,” said Sen. Pimentel

For his part, Sen. Miquel, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship group said, it is important to promote economic cooperation between the Philippines and France.

Aside from Philippine senators, the French senators will also meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu Mayor Tomas Osmeña during their four-day state visit. — Joyce Balancio | UNTV News & Rescue



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Duterte declares January as ‘National Bible Month’

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation Number 124 to declare the month of January as the National Bible Month while the last week of January is designated as the National Bible Week.

The proclamation signed by the President on January 5, 2017 declares that the state recognizes the religiosity of Filipinos and the influence of religion in society.

The government has also vowed to maintain its neutrality in dealing with members of the religious community in the country.

It also promised to continue supporting the strengthening of ethical and spiritual values of Filipinos as stated in the 1987 Constitution.

The proclamation also states that history is a witness to the positive impact of reading the Bible on society and how it inspires people to do good deeds. — Aga Caacbay | UNTV News and Rescue


https://sg.news.yahoo.com/duterte-declares-january-national-bible-023023746.html