25 September 2013 - Members of the House of Representatives joined their regional counterparts in discussions towards achieving an ASEAN Community during the 34th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) which was held in Brunei Darussalam from September 17 to 23.
The theme of this year’s assembly is “The Role of AIPA in Realizing the ASEAN Community.”
The Philippine delegation was led by Deputy House Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong (2nd District, Lanao Del Sur). Other House members in attendance were Rep. Raul V. Del Mar (1st District, Cebu), Rep. Victor F. Ortega (1st District, La Union), Rep. Susan Y. Sulit (2nd District, Tarlac), Rep. Jose F. Zubiri III (3rd District, Bukidnon), Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza (Party List-TUCP), Rep. Nicanor M. Briones (Party List-AGAP), Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman (Lone District, Basilan), and Rep. Ruby M. Sahali (Lone District, Tawi-Tawi).
In a press interview, Deputy Speaker Balindong expressed the Philippines’ full support for Brunei’s ASEAN Chairmanship and continued commitment in working with ASEAN member states towards strengthening the region’s stability and security, economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
Deputy Speaker Balindong noted that ASEAN parliamentarians can play an important role in achieving an ASEAN Community in 2015 through the following:
• Expediting the process of ratifying agreements, identifying priority areas for legal harmonization and conducting thematic studies and fact finding missions;
• Providing advice on issues affecting ASEAN and its members;
• Facilitating engagement with various state and non-state actors at the national and regional levels; and
• Institutionalizing key regional reforms so that the ASEAN Community in 2015 benefits each and every ASEAN member state and promotes the economic prosperity and well-being of our various stakeholders.
He concluded that Brunei Darussalam’s theme of “Our People, Our Future Together” during its ASEAN chairmanship clearly demonstrates the Sultanate’s commitment towards realizing ASEAN’s community-building goals and achieving one caring and sharing community by 2015. END
