Diplomatic corps lauds PH 'encouraging' economic figures

Manila Bulletin

Foreign envoys in the Philippines have congratulated President Marcos on the country's "encouraging" economic figures, saying these are good reasons to be optimistic about the country's future.  Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown III said this as Marcos hosted a New Year vin d'honneur for members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country in Malacañan on Saturday evening, Jan. 11. (Courtesy of RTVM)  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/12/diplomatic-corps-lauds-ph-economy  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00Your Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines,

00:05First Lady Louise Areneta Marcos, Honorable Secretaries of the Cabinet,

00:11Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs,

00:14Your Excellency's Ambassadors and Heads of Mission accredited to the Republic of the Philippines.

00:19It is for me, as always, not only an honor and a privilege, but indeed a pleasure,

00:25to speak on this happy occasion, the traditional exchange of New Year's greetings

00:30between you, Mr. President, and the diplomatic corps accredited to the Philippines

00:35here in Malacanang Palace.

00:38Your annual invitation to welcome the New Year with you and the First Lady

00:42is always deeply appreciated by all of us,

00:45because in addition to being an opportunity for us to interact with you,

00:49it also gives us the occasion to express our gratitude

00:53to you, to your government, and indeed to all the people of the Philippines

00:58for the kindness we experience every day in this wonderful nation.

01:03The diplomatic corps congratulates the government for the encouraging economic figures

01:08recently released on inflation, economic growth, and employment

01:13mentioned by you, Mr. President, in your speech.

01:16In these areas, there is good reason to be hopeful about the future economic prospects of the country.

01:22With regard to progress in the area of peace and reconciliation in the New Year 2025,

01:30the international community continues to believe that the Bangsamoro peace process

01:35remains the viable path to peace, security, and prosperity

01:41for the people of the Bangsamoro region of Muslim Mindanao.

01:47Although recent challenges remind us of the need for patience and perseverance

01:53in the attainment of those goals.

01:56The international scene is, however, as all of us know,

01:59marked by significant polarization and even recrimination,

02:04all of which is amplified in a media environment characterized by strident, contrasting opinions

02:11and the presentation of perspectives ranging from information to misinformation and disinformation.

02:19In such an environment, it's virtually impossible for any single actor to completely control the narrative

02:26as may have been possible in the past.

02:30The consequence of this reality is that the public's trust in institutions begins to diminish considerably.

02:38The antidote to this state of affairs is not easy,

02:42but it certainly involves on the part of all of us a recommitment to truthfulness,

02:47balance and fairness in our statements

02:51and to listening respectfully to the perspectives of people with whom we disagree.

02:58For all of us, men and women serving in government and in diplomacy,

03:02our mission is to help guide the course of human events in a path that leads to peace,

03:08prosperity and security for all.

03:12That is only possible when there's communication,

03:16the authentic and respectful exchange of ideas and proposals in continuous dialogue.

03:23Your Excellency, Mr. President, allow me to conclude my comments this evening

03:27by recognizing in a special way the work of the women and men of the Department of Foreign Affairs

03:33under the leadership of His Excellency Secretary Enrique Manalo.

03:37We, the diplomats accredited to the Philippines, interact on almost a daily basis

03:42with the officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs

03:44and it is indeed a pleasure for us to collaborate with them.

03:49And so, Your Excellency, it is an honor for me to express on behalf of all the members of the diplomatic corps

03:55our sincere best wishes for a new year blessed by peace, prosperity and progress.

04:03And now, my dear friends, may I ask all of you to join me in a toast?

04:12To the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,

04:18for his well-being, health and success,

04:21and to the peace, prosperity and happiness of the Filipino people.

04:26May God bless the Philippines.

04:28Mabuhay! Cheers!

04:51For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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