Philippine Ambassador Attends the Inauguration of Colombian President

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil with concurrent jurisdiction over Colombia, Eva G. Betita, represented President Benigno S. Aquino III at the inauguration of re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota, Colombia on 07 August 2014.

In the one-on-one meetings with the visiting Heads of State and Special Envoys, President Santos expressed to Ambassador Betita his appreciation for President Aquino's congratulatory message. President Santos also acknowledged the commonalities between Colombia and the Philippines and looks forward to the further strengthening of PH-Colombia relations citing commonalities between the Philippines and Colombia.

Ambassador Betita also met with Colombian Foreign Ministry officials who echoed Colombia's interest to work more closely with the Philippines in the various areas of cooperation. Director Sandra Salamanca of the Ministry's Asia, Oceania and Africa Department also informed Ambassador Betita that Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin wishes to visit the Philippines at an appropriate time.

During the week of the Presidential Inauguration, the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia conducted a consular outreach mission at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Bogota.

A total of 39 passport applicants and 44 OV registrants attended the consular mission in Bogota. Several others also availed of Post's consular services such as civil registration, notarization and citizenship retention.

Aside from those living in Bogota, Filipinos from other Colombian cities such as Baranquilla and Medellin took advantage of Post`s weekend mission. Some had to travel by bus for about ten hours while others flew in from nearby countries such as Bolivia and Peru.

Majority of the Filipino workers in Colombia are engineers, missionaries, seafarers, household services workers and teachers. Some have become permanent residents due to their marriage to Colombian citizens.