• Palace congratulates Nonito Donaire, Jr., for winning against French Anthony Settoul
• Palace welcomes support of American Senators in country’s effort to peacefully resolve West Philippine Sea row

APEC NEWS RELEASE

• APEC’s Iloilo City meeting to tackle infrastructure development through long-term investments

“Palagi po nating ipinagmamalaki at ipinagbubunyi ang tagumpay—ang bawat tagumpay—katulad nitong pinakahuling tagumpay ni ‘Filipino Flash,’ Nonito Donaire,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Donaire, known as the “Filipino Flash,” brought down Settoul twice in the first round of their scheduled 10-round super bantamweight boxing match held at the Venetian Resort in Macau, China last Saturday.

In the second round, Donaire landed his right hand at Settoul’s chin that sent the latter for the third time in the canvas, this prompted the Frenchmen’s corner to throw in the towel at 1:41 of the round.

With this win, Donaire’s scorecard is now at 35 wins (23 knockouts) and three (3) losses.

“Muli po siyang (Donaire) naghatid ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Sana’y magpatuloy ang kanyang pagiging kampeon,” said Coloma. PND (ag)

“Ikinagagalak po natin na lumalawak lalo ang hanay ng mga sumusuporta sa posisyon ng ating bansa,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

United States Senators John McCain, Jack Reed, Bob Corker and Ben Cardin released a statement supporting the Philippines’ decision to file a case before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea concerning China’s expansive claim to disputed maritime territories.

In a statement, the four US Senators said, “Although the United States does not take a position on the competing claims, we applaud Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and his government for his commitment to pursuing this legal course of action. While China is constructing and militarizing new land features in the South China Sea and increasingly turning to coercion to achieve its goals, we are encouraged to see that Manila continues to make every effort to resolve these claims peacefully, consistent with international law, and through international arbitration mechanisms.”

The US Senators also support “bolstering the maritime capabilities of South East Asian nations and conducting joint exercises and patrols.”

“It is also critical that the United States take the necessary steps to sustain a balance of power that will continue to uphold peace and stability throughout the region. Given the pace and scope of China’s military trajectory, we believe this will demand a sustained investment in our military presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” the US Senators added.

Coloma said the US Senators now join the list of those who support the Philippines’ effort to resolve the dispute peacefully.

“Sa ganyan pong pagpapahayag nina Senator McCain at Senators Jack Reed at Bob Corker at Senator Ben Cardin, dumarami po lalo ang hanay ng mga sumusuporta sa ating itinataguyod na mapayapang pagresolba ng mga usapin sa West Philippine Sea o South China Sea,” said Coloma.

The European Union, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan and Australia has shown their support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute following international law. PND (ag)

The meeting, titled “Fostering APEC’s Infrastructure through Long-term Investment and Capital Market Development,” will be held at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center in Iloilo City.

Delegates include financial experts and senior officials from finance ministries across APEC member-economies, as well as representatives from international development institutions.

Iloilo’s local government sees the meeting as a good opportunity to help realize the goal of investment generation especially in the Visayas region.

“Hosting APEC is a way to boost awareness of the investment opportunities and strengths of Iloilo City as an investment destination,” Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said.

Iloilo City is taking advantage of its hosting of one of the high-profile meetings of APEC to drum up interest among potential investors in a wide range of sectors, including retail, manufacturing, business process outsourcing (BPO), agro-processing, and tourism.

Mabilog said 400 hectares of reclaimed land in Iloilo City is currently being developed to become an industrial zone.

The city received P150-billion worth of investment pledges in 2013 from various private enterprises intending to locate in the zone. So far, he said, about 60 percent of the amount has already been spent by investors.

On top of this, Mabilog said, another 400 hectares of reclaimed land have been identified recently by the city government for the establishment of another business area. As such, the city is keen on promoting itself to even more potential investors.

While delegates will talk about infrastructure and capital market development in the Asia-Pacific region, Iloilo believes the event will help spread positive impressions on the city.

Mabilog said Iloilo City, named as the most livable city in the Philippines by touristspotsfinder.com, boasts of high-quality workforce with 99 percent literacy rate. The city also has a secure supply of electric power with its coal-fired power plant, he added.

He also said the city government, recognized by the National Competitiveness Council as No. 1 in terms of local government efficiency, observes business-friendly processes.

“The economic outlook for Iloilo is very dynamic, and we have a lot of potential to grow. We look at Iloilo City as a globally competitive, premier city,” Mabilog said. PND (as)