16 December 2015 – Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras headed the Philippine Delegation in the 8th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) held in Bali, Indonesia on December 10-11. Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen Isleta and other personnel from the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta also joined the delegation.
Under the theme “Democracy and Effective Public Governance,” Secretary Almendras remarked that in order to achieve inclusive growth, the Philippines has aimed to implement focused, targeted programs that involves all stakeholders, including the local communities, the private sector and civil society groups.
The BDF is an annual event bringing together representatives from Asia-Pacific States, with observers from other countries and international organizations, to share their reflections and best practices pertaining to democracy. The Philippines has been an active participant in the BDF since its inception in 2008. Last year, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino co-chaired with former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the Seventh Bali Democracy Forum. END