13 October 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez presented her credentials to Queen’s Representative to the Cook Islands Tom Marsters at the Government House in Rarotonga on September 24. She is now the Philippine Non-resident Ambassador to the Cook Islands.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Government House where she presented the Letter of Credence from President Benigno S. Aquino III accrediting her as Philippine Ambassador to the Cook Islands to the Queen’s Representative. She conveyed the greetings of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Mr. Marsters and the best wishes of the Government and People of the Republic of the Philippines to the Government and People of the Cook Islands and highlighted the signing of the Joint Communiqué for the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the Cook Islands on December 12, 2011 formalizing the links that increasingly bind the Philippines and the Cook Islands together.
The Ambassador pointed out that in the community of nations, the Philippines and the Cook Islands share the same geographical footprint and ethno-linguistic roots. The Philippines greatly values its deepening cooperation with the Cook Islands in the Pacific region as both countries are bound together by the vast expanse of the Pacific facing the same challenges and sharing the same opportunities and responsibilities.
As active participants in the Pacific Islands Forum, the Philippines and the Cook Islands are natural partners in collectively pursuing cooperation in such vital areas as the environment, climate change, marine biodiversity, conservation, protection and preservation and combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), education and tourism promotion, among others. Ambassador Benavidez highlighted the fact that people-to-people ties remain at the forefront of the Philippines’ bilateral relations as Cook Islands is home to about 230 Filipinos contributing to the economic development of both our countries.
“They enhance our strong relationship and translate into practical ways our shared commitment to work together and develop alongside each other. The Philippines deeply appreciates the hospitality and recognition accorded to Filipinos living and working in the Cook Islands and the continued cooperation and support extended by the Government of the Cook Islands for their welfare and well-being,” she stated.
With the continuing high level meetings, dialogues and broadening cooperation between the Philippines and the Cook Islands in world bodies, the Pacific Islands Forum and other regional and international fora, Ambassador Benavidez reiterated the deep appreciation of the Philippine Government for Cook Islands’ valuable support for the candidatures of the Philippines in various international organizations.
“I shall endeavor to nurture and strengthen Philippines-Cook Islands relations within the framework of our mutual interests, shared goals, regional priorities and inter-dependence as good friends, close neighbours and vital partners,” Ambassador Benavidez said. She thanked Mr. Marsters, the Government and the People of the Cook Islands for the warm reception, excellent arrangements and gracious hospitality extended to her from the first time she visited during the successful chairmanship of Cook Islands of the 43rd Pacific Islands Forum and the 24th Post Forum Dialogue in August 2012.
The Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters received Ambassador Benavidez on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen and Head of State of the Cook Islands, and extended his best wishes to President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Filipino people. He stated that this year marks the third anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cook Islands and the Philippines and reiterated the deepest sympathy of the Government and People of Cook Islands who stood in solidarity with the Filipino community to raise funds for the victims of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. He acknowledged the important contributions of an increasing number of Filipinos to his country’s growth and service sector and said that there are now 15 Filipinos who have become permanent residents of Cook Islands. Mention was also made about the appointment of Mr. Restituto Tiangco as Cook Islands Honorary Consul in the Philippines. He spoke about the cooperation in the Pacific Islands Forum and looks forward to developing closer relations with the Philippines as a Post Dialogue partner. The Queen’s Representative highlighted the 50th Anniversary of Self Governance celebrations in August 2015 and invitations have been sent to Heads of State on this significant occasion. At the end of his speech, he extended his best wishes and support in the performance of Ambassador Benavidez’s mission as the Philippine Ambassador to the Cook Islands.
The ceremony was followed by morning tea and photo opportunity. During the ensuing TV interview by a local broadcast journalist, Ambassador Benavidez highlighted the close and friendly relations with the Cook Islands at the bilateral, regional and multilateral arenas and reiterated the gratitude of the Philippine government and the Filipino people for the outpouring of support, sympathies and generosity of the Cook Island government and communities in the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
Before the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Benavidez met with Foreign Affairs and Immigration Secreatry Myra Patai. Ambassador Benavidez also called on Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather at his office during which he shared the importance of the growing Filipino community especially in cultural events, the grant of permanent residence status to 15 Filipinos and the sacrificial giving of the local people from the 12 islands for those affected by typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in Central Philippines. Ambassador Benavidez said that the Filipino people have engraved in their hearts their gratitude for the unprecedented groundswell of generosity from the Cook Islands and the international community for all those affected by Haiyan/Yolanda. Deputy Minister Teariki hosted lunch for Ambassador Benavidez, together with the Minister of Justice Mona Ioane, Secretary Patai and Liaison Officer Eirangi Marsters.
Before returning to New Zealand, Ambassador Benavidez met with Internal Affairs Secretary Bredina Drollett, Labour and Employment Relations Director Patricia Tuara Demmke, Deputy Director of Immigration Vasie Poila, and Foreign Affairs Officer Eirangi Marsters at the VIP Lounge of the Rarotonga International Airport. Discussions focused on the problems and complaints from some Filipino workers, the systems and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in the recruitment and deployment of overseas Filipino workers and the mechanism for closer collaboration between the Philippine Embassy and their respective departments for rendering assistance to Filipinos in the Cook Islands and protecting their interests and well-being. END