15 January 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez paid a courtesy call on Hon. Ismail Kahraman, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic of Turkey on January 06. The Honorable Speaker was elected after the 01 November parliamentary elections in Turkey and took his oath on 22 November 2015. 

He noted the important bilateral visits that have occurred recently and cited the excellent relations between the Philippines and Turkey. He noted the bilateral cooperation in the issues of terrorism and local politics. He expressed warm greetings to Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was a guest of Turkey last year and  looks forward to working closely with him in furthering interparliamentary cooperation between the Philippines and Turkey.  END