II STEADY GROWTH IN THE RELATIONS

II

STEADY gROwTH IN THE RELATIONS

Since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and its entry into force in 1949, relations between the Philippines and France have been strengthened over the decades by cooperation and engagement in many fields of endeavor—political, economic, cultural, and people to people exchanges. Both countries concluded a number of bilateral agreements in these fields which can be found in the end of this book.

The Philippines and France have each sent the following ambassadors and envoys to each other’s capitals to represent their respective national interests and promote closer ties:

Table 1. French Envoys and Ambassadors to the Philippines

Table 2. Philippine Envoys and Ambassadors to France

Figure 112. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Proceso Sebastian (center) leaving the Élysée Palace following his Presentation of Credentials to President Vincent Auriol, 13 March 1951 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 113. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Salvador P. Lopez to President René Coty, 9 February 1955 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 114. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Jose M. Alejandrino to President Charles de Gaulle, 1963 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 116. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Felipe Mabilangan, Jr. (left) to President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 6 September 1979 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 118. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo to President François Mitterrand, 9 May 1990 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 120. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Hector K. Villarroel (center) to President Jacques Chirac, 11 September 1997 (Archives Nationales)

Figure 122. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Rora Navarro Tolentino to President Nicolas Sarkozy, 25 January 2009 (Photographie Présidence de la République)

Figure 124. Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro to President François Hollande, 8 July 2014 (Photographie Présidence de la République)

The exchanges of high-level visits are veritable highpoints of the political relations between the Philippines and France. These highlevel visits, especially those at head of state or head of government level, serve as important catalysts to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations.

Following Quirino’s visit in 1947, Vice President and Secretary of Agriculture Fernando Lopez visited Paris in 1952 to promote closer economic ties between the Philippines and France. Quirino, by then, had become the President of the Philippines.

In 1963, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Emmanuel N. Pelaez visited Paris twice. The first visit was in February and coincided with his trip to attend the London Talks on the issue of North Borneo13 and a regional conference of the Philippine Chiefs of Missions in Europe organized to coordinate diplomatic efforts

Figure 125. Philippine Vice President Fernando Lopez and French President Vincent Auriol at the Élysée Palace, 6 November 1952. (Archives Nationales)

“to augment Philippine export trade with Europe and the extension of financial and economic assistance by European countries to the Philippines.”14 The second visit was in April for the SEATO Ministers’ Council Meeting.

Figure 126. Philippine Vice President and Foreign Minister Emmanuel Pelaez leaving the Élysée Palace following his meeting with President Charles de Gaulle on 8 February 1963 (Archives Nationales)

While the February visit was a private one, the French Foreign Ministry organized meetings between Pelaez and President Charles de Gaulle, Prime Minister Georges Pompidou and Foreign Minister Maurice Couve de Murville. In his discussions with the French President, Pelaez expressed his satisfaction at the good relations between the Philippines and France but hoped to reinforce them in the political, economic and cultural areas. Pelaez noted that since its independence, the Philippines has indeed relied heavily on the United States but that it is natural to look at new markets such as France. De Gaulle expressed France’s willingness to increase its relations with the Philippines and to look for practical ways to improve them. He did note however, that Philippine products such as copra oil and other tropical products would have to compete with

the products coming from France’s former colonies in Africa.15 There were also discussions between Pelaez and De Gaulle related to the developments in North Borneo and on the Asian region in general.

The meeting with Foreign Minister Couve de Murville centered on how both sides can strengthen bilateral economic relations and on the French Government’s interest in the problems affecting SEATO. The French viewed SEATO as an effective alliance playing a useful role in the region.

Besides visits to each other’s countries, state funerals also provided opportunities for meetings between the leaders of the two countries. In 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal and President Charles de Gaulle were some of the more prominent leaders who attended the State Funeral of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Similarly in 1969, President Ferdinand E. Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos had the opportunity to meet with President Charles de Gaulle during the funeral of U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. At the sidelines of the State Funeral of Japanese Emperor Hirohito in 1889, President Cory Aquino and President François Mitterrand held bilateral discussions.

Figure 127. Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez in an interview with Paris-based media— United Press International, Reuter’s News Agency, Agence France Presse, and The Associated Press. (Photo / Emmanuel Pelaez Foundation)

Figure 128. President Diosdado Macapagal (right) with President Charles de Gaulle (left) during the State Funeral of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, 25 November 1963.16

Figure 129. President Ferdinand E. Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos with President Charles de Gaulle during the State Funeral of U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, 1969 (Photo / Office of Representative Imelda R. Marcos)

During the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, there were high-level visits between the two sides. In 1976, First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos visited France on the invitation of the City of Paris and attended the opening of À la découverte des Philippines (Discover the Philippines), an exhibition of Philippine products and industries that was held from 24 to 30 May 1976 at the Centre Commercial Parly 2, in Île-de-France. During this visit, the First Lady paid a courtesy call on French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and a lunch was tendered in her honor at the Élysée Palace.

Figure 130. First lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos with French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing at the Élysée Palace, May 1976 (Archives Nationales)

Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo followed the First Lady’s visit on November 1978. Foreign Minister Romulo and his French counterpart, Louis de Guiringaud, signed cultural and scientific accords in Paris on 18 November 1978. During their bilateral meeting, Minister Romulo noted that these two accords reflect the quality of cooperation between the two countries and allow for a form of rediscovery between the cultures of both nations. For his part, Minister Louis de Guiringaud stated that France appreciates the importance the Philippines plays in Southeast Asia and its unique role in the whole of Asia.17

Figure 131. First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos introducing a member of her delegation to French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. (Archives Nationales)

at the Élysée Palace, 6 November 1952. (Archives Nationales)

Figure 132. Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo with French Foreign Minister Louis de Guiringaud, 18 November 1978. (Photo / CPR Foundation)

Exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries were likewise robust during this period. Batasang Pambansa Speaker Querube Makalintal paid an official visit in 1979 upon the invitation of the French-Philippine Parliamentary Friendship Society of the National Assembly and return visits by French parliamentarians were made during this period. French and Philippine labor ministers also exchanged official visits to discuss possible joint ventures in subcontracting and employment projects in the Middle East. In July 1983, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Cesar Virata met with this French counterpart Pierre Mauroy and agreed to exert best efforts in solving industrial disputes which had remained as obstacles to better relations and committed to start a new chapter in PhilippineFrench relations.

CORAZON C. AQUINO STATE VISIT

France was among the first to recognize the government of Corazon “Cory” Aquino in February 1986. Then Prime Minister Laurent Fabius categorically stated that “France must show its support of democracy and state it is alongside Aquino”. Mr. Fabius would later visit Manila and meet with President Cory Aquino in June 1986, (when he was no longer Prime Minister, having been replaced by Jacques Chirac in March 1986) to express support to the government.

Figure 134. President Corazon C. Aquino and President François Mitterrand at the Élysée Palace (Archives Nationales)

It was the desire of then French President François Mitterrand that President Aquino be invited to France to a State Visit on 11-14 July 1989 so that the State Visit could occur just before the French Bicentennial celebrations. Preparations for her visit began in March 1989, soon after the encounter of Presidents Aquino and Mitterrand during the funeral of Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo in February 1989. Her presence in France as Chief Guest at the French Bicentennial was seen as an added note of prestige to the French celebration, given her popularity and the fact that she had become an icon for democracy.

President Aquino was personally met by President Mitterrand and his wife at the Orly Airport. From there, they flew by helicopter to the Esplanade des Invalides fronting the mausoleum of Napoléon Bonaparte. Here, the motorcade to the State Guesthouse, the Hôtel de Marigny, began.18

Hundreds of French Republic Guards on horseback were a magnificent sight to behold as they cantered forward, blowing on trumpets as they escorted President Aquino to the State Guesthouse. All roads leading to Hôtel de Marigny were closed to traffic to accommodate the Presidential entourage. In simple ceremonies, President and Mrs. Mitterrand and President Aquino exchanged gifts and pleasantries.19

Figure 135. President Corazon C. Aquino delivering her remarks in French during the State Banquet hosted by President François Mitterrand, July 1984.

Later at the Élysée Palace, the President was feted in a state banquet hosted by President Mitterrand. It was during this important occasion that the latter verbalized the value the French people and government accorded to President Aquino as a guest of honor: “In the heart of a year devoted to the commemoration of the Bicentenary of the French Revolution, this week is, for us French, somewhat exceptional as it is the week of the 14th of July, our National Holiday. I wanted to invite, for this occasion, a few of those people who are working to create a more just and more generous world in the spirit of the universal values of human rights and democracy that France proposed to the world in 1789. It is only fitting, Madam President, that with this state visit with which you honour us, you should be the first to arrive at this gathering of the friends of France”.20

The second day of President Aquino in France began with a meeting with French business leaders to discuss investment prospects in the Philippines. Afterwards, she visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and proceeded to the reception tendered in her honor by Mayor Jacques Chirac of Paris at the Hôtel de Ville.21

The highlight of the day was the luncheon hosted by the Conseil national du patronat français and her meetings with French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas and Prime Minister Michel Rocard. Before the Patronat, the President underscored the economic gains made by her country and assured her audience that the political, social,

and economic situation was ripe for joint ventures and new trade opportunities with French businessmen.22

During the meeting with Minister Dumas, President Aquino witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding which provided for the extension of social security to some 12,000 to 15,000 Filipinos working in France. During a press conference at the Hôtel de Marigny, the President announced the signing and exchange of letters specifying the extension of FRF 1.0 billion in official development assistance from France to the Philippines over a period of four years. Her day finally ended with a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Rocard at the Foreign Affairs Palace where she was repeatedly praised for her role in the bloodless revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines.23

President Aquino was among forty-six other chiefs of state who attended the many ceremonies to commemorate the French Bicentennial. Even among this crowd of world luminaries, the President stood out, being very much applauded and cheered.24

As was her wont, President Aquino made the most of her time and the opportunity by meeting with several world leaders present during the celebrations. The President met with Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney of Canada, Rajiv Gandhi of India, Sōsuke Uno of Japan, and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The President also took time to meet with UNESCO officials and six honorary Filipino consuls as well as the Filipino community in France. The timing of President Aquino’s visit was most opportune as she was able to ensure the support of France in the meeting of the world’s economic powers, the Group of Seven (G-7), which was to be held in France after the Bicentennial Celebration.25

FIDEL V. RAMOS VISIT

The huge goodwill of the Philippines in France which saw its peak during the State Visit of President Corazon Aquino in 1989 lasted well until the Official Visit of President Fidel V. Ramos to France on 13 to 15 September 1994. That visit was seen as the necessary impetus to boost the relationship between the Philippines and France.

During the Official Visit of President Ramos, bilateral relations between the Philippines and France primarily revolved around three subjects: 1) culture, science, and technology; 2) official development

Figure 136. President Fidel V. Ramos with French President François Mitterrand (Archives Nationales)

assistance; and 3) debt relief through the Paris Club accord and the bilateral debt rescheduling agreements.

Among the members of President Ramos’ delegation were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, seven Cabinet members, one Senator, and four Congressmen. President Ramos met with President François Mitterrand, Prime Minister Édouard Balladur, and National Assembly President Philippe Séguin.

A successful conference on investment was also held on 14 September 1994 at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris. Nine agreements were signed between the Philippines and France which included an Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, Agreement on Financial Protocol, Cooperation Agreement between the Metropolitan Manila and the Region of Île-de-France, and Arrangement between the Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines and the Minister of Defense of the French Republic related to Defense Cooperation.

President Ramos’ official visit to France rode on the changing perception of the Philippines as country that has gone “back in business in the heart of Asia.” President Ramos invited France “to take part—as a friend and a partner—in the economic modernization of the Philippines…It seems to us only fitting that Europe—and

“For truly the Philippines is unique in Asia today for venturing to develop—not at the expense of its democracy, but through democracy. And we are succeeding, much as Europe did in an earlier time. I say that not to boast but to reply to the conventional wisdom that only authoritarian government can make progress possible in the Third World. Democracy also needs its examples of success among developing countries.”27

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA PRESIDENCY

The highlight of Philippine-French relation during this period was the celebration of the Centennial of Philippine Independence in France with the naming of the Place José Rizal in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The inauguration of a plaza honoring the Filipino national hero and the Philippines is a rare recognition accorded by the Paris municipal government to the efforts made to strengthen the ties between the Philippines and France. Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo L. Siazon formally inaugurated the plaza and also met with his French counterpart Minister Hubert Védrine. During this period, there were visits by members of the France-Philippines Friendship Group of the National Assembly. French companies involved in construction, gas and petroleum, water treatment, cement production considered the Philippines as a good investment destination.

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO PRESIDENCY

Exchange of visits by officials and businessmen from both countries continued during the first decade of the 21st century. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited France in September 2003 not as an official guest of the French government but as the Keynote Speaker of the Plenary Session of the 32nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo also visited in 2007 and met with Brice Hortefeux, Minister for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and CoDevelopment. In the meeting, Secretary Romulo stressed that upholding and protecting the rights, welfare, and well-being of Filipinos overseas is one of the pillars of Philippine foreign policy under the administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo. The signing of a Joint Statement on Filipino professionals and student exchange was witnessed by the two ministers.

Figure 137. Speech by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the opening plenary meeting of the Thirty-Second Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, 29 September 2003

JEAN-MARC AYRAULT VISIT

The visit of French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault to the Philippines on 19-21 October 2012 was an historic one because it was the very first made by a French Head-of-Government to the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947.

Prime Minister Ayrault brought with him a large 130-member delegation, which included key cabinet officials, and leaders of industry, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, Airbus, ALSTOM, Peugeot Citröen, Thales, among other companies.

Among the highlights of the visit were the meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Prime Minister Ayrault, signing of Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) such as the MOA for the Philippine Exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly in April 2013,

the biomass project funded by a French government grant, and the holding of a Philippines-France Business Forum where commercial contracts were signed, including between Philippine Airlines and Airbus, for the purchase of 10 aircraft, on top of an earlier order of 54.

From Manila, the Prime Minister traveled to Cebu to inspect an important cooperation project on the development of a bus rapid transit system supported by the French Development Agency and the World Bank, in cooperation with the local government. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new building of the Alliance Française de Cebu.28

The historic visit was significant in raising the visibility and profile of the Philippines in France, especially among French officials and businesses. It also paved the way for increased engagement in many areas—political, security, defense, economic, and cultural. Soon after the trip of Prime Minister Ayrault, President François Hollande in February 2013 invited President Aquino to visit France.

Figure 138. President Benigno S. Aquino III and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at the Malacañan Palace (Pierre Chabaud, photographe des services du premier ministre)

Figure 139. President Benigno S. Aquino III and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault witnessing the signing of various bilateral agreements (Pierre Chabaud, photographe des services du premier ministre)

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III VISITS

The official visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III on 17-19 September 2014 was his first visit to France. The visit marked the growing strength and dynamism of Philippines-France relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations. This momentum was further maintained as President Hollande also announced his visit to the Philippines in 2015.

During the official visit, President Aquino was able to articulate the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea issue. In the Philippines-France Joint Statement, both President Aquino and President Hollande expressed their opposition to any acquisition or claim, by coercion or force, of any or all territory of a State by another State, in violation of international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations. They stressed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law and the promotion of maritime security and freedom of navigation.

Figure 140. President Benigno S. Aquino III and President François Hollande during their press conference, Élysée Palace, September 2014 (Photographie Présidence de la République)

The Philippine and French governments committed to undertake regular political consultations between Foreign Ministries as a framework to strengthen relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.

As part of the implementation of an updated Philippines-France Arrangement, defense cooperation will be enhanced particularly in the fields of defense equipment, logistics and defense industries. The Philippine and French ministers of defense later discussed and agreed to finalize the updated arrangement for signing.

Several agreements were signed and witnessed by the two Presidents, which included a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, Administrative Arrangement between the National Commission of Culture and the Arts and the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, and a Memorandum of Understanding for Academic Collaboration between the Development Academy of the Philippines and the École Nationale de l’Administration (ENA).

Figure 141. President Benigno S. Aquino III and President François Hollande with their respective delegations, Élysée Palace, September 2014 (Photographie Présidence de la République)

In his official engagements with President Hollande, Prime Minister Valls, and in a conference at the Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI), President Aquino highlighted the importance of promoting the welfare of the 10 million overseas Filipinos. President Aquino also addressed around 700 to 800 members of the Filipino community in France. He informed the community of the positive developments in the Philippines and the bright prospects for economic growth.

During the visit, both countries also committed to work together on climate change issues, most especially towards a successful outcome of COP21 which would be held in Paris in 2015. France acknowledged that global warming is not a matter of statistics for the Philippines but a stark reality which affects the country.

On 30 November and 01 December 2015, President Aquino was again in France primarily to participate in the COP21 Leaders Event. He delivered the national statement for the Philippines where he urged other Parties to take heed of the needs of the vulnerable countries, especially for more climate financing, during the Climate Vulnerable Forum.

Figure 142. President Benigno S. Aquino III with French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy Ségolène Royal at the COP21 in Paris.

Figure 143. President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Third High Level Climate Vulnerable Forum Meeting at COP 21 in Paris, 30 November 2015 (Photo/Climate Vulnerable Forum)

Figure 144. President François Hollande and President Benigno Aquino III during the State Dinner at the Malacañan Palace, 26 February 2015 (Photographie Présidence de la République)

FRANçOIS HOLLANDE VISIT

The State Visit to the Philippines of French President François Hollande on 26 to 27 February 2015 was groundbreaking because it was the first visit of a French Head of State since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947.

President Hollande was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Laurent Fabius, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, Annick Girardin, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Ségolène Royal, and France’s Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet, Nicolas Hulot. They were joined by personalities well-known for their environmental advocacies, such as Marion Cotillard, Mélanie Laurent, Patriarch Bartholomew I of the Orthodox Church, and high officials from various international organizations.29

A bilateral meeting between President Aquino and President Hollande on 26 February 2015 was held where they discussed issues of bilateral interest such as defense, security and anti-terrorism, economic and trade relations, climate change, education, people-topeople exchanges, among others.

President Aquino and President Hollande witnessed the signing of the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation, MOU on Cooperation on Higher Education and Research, and the Declaration of Intention on the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Marine Resources of the Philippines.

On 26 February 2015, both Leaders issued the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Partnership between the Philippines and France. The Declaration recognized that the “two countries have entered a new, more dynamic and future-oriented era in the development of bilateral relations,” and committed “to maintain this positive momentum and to mobilize our respective governments towards this end.”

JOINT DECLARATION ON THE ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP BETwEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE FRENCH REPUBLIC 26 February 2015, Malacañan Palace

1. We, the President of the Philippines Benigno S. Aquino III and the President of the French Republic François Hollande, agree to expand and strengthen bilateral relations and elevate the bilateral relationship to an enhanced partnership between the Philippines and France on the historic occasion of the first visit to the Philippines by an incumbent President of France made on invitation of President Aquino during his first visit to France on 17 - 18 September 2014.

2. We affirm that the Philippines and France shared the same commitment to democracy, the rule of law, the maintenance of peace and international security and to common objectives to promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

3. On international peace and security, we affirm our opposition to any acquisition or claim, by coercion or force, of any or all territory of a State by another State, in violation of international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations.

4. We reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia and promoting maritime security, freedom of navigation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We call for a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in fostering peace and stability.

5. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and call on the international community to work together to fight this scourge to mankind.

6. Acknowledging that our two countries have entered a new, more dynamic and future-oriented era in the development of bilateral relations, we commit to maintain this positive momentum and to mobilize our respective governments towards this end. We believe that upgrading the bilateral relationship would be highly beneficial to both our countries and peoples. From this perspective, we agree to encourage the active participation of various stakeholders, such as local and regional governments, the business community, the private sector and civil society, in strengthening bilateral ties.

7. We welcome the promising outlook for the development of enhanced economic and trade relations in numerous industries of the future. We welcome, in particular, the development of new fields of cooperation and the conclusion of agreements in the areas of renewable energy, sustainable development, urban transportation and infrastructure, and the management of natural resources.

8. We wish to develop mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the area of health, in particular, in the fight against emerging and re-emerging diseases due to, inter alia, the effects of climate change.

9. We hope to promote exchanges between the French and Filipino peoples, particularly the youth, through the intensification of academic exchanges. In this regard, we welcome the conclusion of agreements in higher education and research, and in the development of the tourism sector in the Philippines which would increase tourist flows between our countries.

10. Our enhanced partnership will also be pursued through regular bilateral political consultations between our Foreign Ministries, through meetings of the Joint Economic Committee, and through the framework provided by the bilateral Defense Cooperation Arrangement between our Defense Ministries.

11. We stress the importance of strengthening the fight against climate change and its impacts and agree that the Philippines and France must work together to encourage the adoption of a universal and equitable agreement during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) to be hosted by France at the end of the year in Paris. We, therefore, took the initiative to launch the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change, which takes into account the needs and concerns of the most vulnerable countries.

12. In that spirit, the Government of the French Republic will extend to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, through the French Development Agency, a loan of at least fifty million euros to contribute to the implementation of prevention and reconstruction actions in response to natural disasters resulting from the effects of climate change or from other causes.

Figure 145. Launching of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change at the Malacañan Palace grounds. (Photographie Présidence de la République)

Both Leaders also issued the Manila Call on Climate Action on 26 February 2015 which urged the international community to act on climate change and to give importance to developing country concerns.

On his second day in the Philippines, President Hollande visited Guiuan, Samar, one of the areas most devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 where he met with local officials and the local community. He announced the donation of the French government of €1.5 million to ACTED, a French NGO that will help fishing communities.

Figure 146. President François Hollande in Guiuan, Samar which was the hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan (Photographie Présidence de la République)

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE PRESIDENCY

The Philippine ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the presidency of Rodrigo Roa Duterte was the singular highlight of the 70th anniversary of Philippines-France diplomatic relations in 2017. The ratification comes in full circle two years after the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change.

Figure 147. French Ambassador Nicolas Galey presenting his credentials to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, December 2017.

Figure 148. French Minister for Environment and Solidarity Nicolas Hulot with Philippine Senate Delegation. L-R: Senator William Gatchalian, Senator Cynthia Villar, Minister Hulot, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Jr., Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Gérard Miquel and Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, 28 June 2017.

Figure 149. Philippine Senators call on Gérard Larcher, President of the French Senate, 28 June 2017.

Under President Duterte, there was increased interaction between parliamentarians with the official visit to the Philippines in January 2017 of four French Senators headed by Mr. Gérard Miquel, Chairman of the France-Southeast Asia Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and the official visit to Paris of eight Philippine Senators led by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Jr. in late June 2018. The Philippine delegation included Senators Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar, Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, William Gatchalian, and Joel Villanueva.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano was in Paris in late February 2018 and met with newly-elected UNESCO DirectorGeneral Audrey Azoulay where they discussed how culture and education can help rebuild Marawi which has been devastated by violent extremism and terrorism.

Figure 150. Philippine Senators with members of the France-Southeast Asia Interparliamentary Friendship Group. 1st Row: Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Jacky Deromedi, Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. 2nd Row: Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam, Senator Simon Sutour, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Jr., Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Yves Pozzo di Borgo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator William Gatchalian, 28 June 2017.

Figure 151. Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, 28 February 2018 (UNESCO/Christelle ALIX)

Figure 152. French delegation to the 2018 Philippines-France Joint Defense Consultative Committee Meeting with officials of the Philippine Embassy. 1st Row: General Philippe Boutinaud, Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. 2nd Row (L-R): Minister and Consul General Aileen Mendiola-Rau, Commander Jérôme Chardon, Mrs.Valérie Saint-Aimé Hilaire, Colonel Philippe Deponcelle, Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Peltriaux, and First Secretary Hans Mohaimin Siriban

The past two years likewise saw the convening of various bilateral committee meetings on defense, education, and tourism to implement agreements signed in 2014 and 2015, including the holding of the Political Consultations and the Joint Defense Consultative Committee.