GOVPH

PH Government, University of Namur Sign Deed of Donation for Philippine Studies Program

Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium and Rector Annick Castiaux of the University of Namur signed the Deed of Donation for the Philippine Studies Program on 7 November 2024 at the Rector’s Office.

Philippines-Belgium cultural and academic relations marked another milestone yesterday with the signing of a Deed of Donation granting Philippine government funding for the implementation of a Philippine Studies Program (PSP) at the University of Namur, a prestigious Belgian institution of higher learning situated in the capital of the Francophone Walloon Region.

The implementation of the PSP at the University of Namur is part of the wider global initiative spearheaded by Senator Loren Legarda, who envisions to promote a deeper understanding of the Philippines among both Filipino and foreign students in prestigious international universities.

Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Jaime Victor B. Ledda, accompanied by First Secretary and Consul Mr. Enrik Fort E. Revillas and Cultural Attaché Ms. Virginia T. Abad, concluded the agreement with University Rector Prof. Annick Castiaux, in the presence of other university officials from the institution’s International Affairs, History, and Geography departments.

In her message read by Ambassador Ledda, Senator Legarda stated that “by integrating our (Philippine) unique heritage into academic discourse, we not only celebrate our identity but also invite others to appreciate the richness of our culture. It is through such scholarly endeavors that we bridge gaps and build lasting connections”.

In particular, the PSP funding will be used to support scholarly research and events at the University highlighting Philippines-Belgium connections in the 19th and early 20th century - a timely endeavor in the build-up to the celebration of the 135th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s sojourn in Belgium in 2025, and the 80th anniversary of Philippines-Belgium diplomatic relations in 2026.

The PSP will also include support for Filipino scholars and visiting academics, as well as for strengthening and expanding cooperation between the University of Namur and Philippine academic institutions.

Prof. Castiaux and her team thanked the Office of Senator Legarda for the generous contribution and resolved to continue exploring other opportunities for partnership with the Philippines through the Embassy in Brussels, including in the fields of children’s rights law and space cooperation, among others. 

Read more: PH Government, University of Namur Sign Deed of Donation for Philippine Studies Program

Embassy Personnel Participate in Race for the Cure - Brussels

Personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, as well as their families, joined the Race for the Cure® in Brussels on 03 November 2024.

Participants in the race joined a 7km run or 3km walk in support of the fight against breast cancer, through funding scientific research, raising awareness, and supporting affected people.

PH, Belgium Boost Judicial Cooperation with JBC Visit

Hon. Nesauro H. Firme, JBC Regular Member representing the Academe; Hon. Juliet Marie De Leon Ferrer, Congresswoman, JBC Ex Officio Member and Head of Delegation; Ms. Vanessa de Francquen, HCJ Co-President, President of the French Appointment, and Designation Committee and President of the United Appointment and Designation Committee; Ms. Hilde Melotte, current HCJ President, Chairman of the Advisory and Research Committee; Ms. Valerie Delfosse, HCJ Co-President, President of the Advisory and Investigation Committee, and President of the United Advisory and Investigation Committee; H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Philippine Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU; Retired Justice Erlinda P. Uy, JBC Regular Member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and Hon. Jose V. Mejia, JBC Regular Member representing the Private Sector.

BRUSSELS, 18 October 2024 – In yet another milestone of Philippines-Belgium bilateral relations, a high-level delegation from the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) of the Philippines visited Brussels to conduct discussions and knowledge exchanges with Belgian judicial institutions from 16 to 18 October 2024.

The Philippine delegation was spearheaded by Representative Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice and JBC ex-officio member, along with regular JBC Members Justice Erlinda P. Uy (Ret.) for the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Atty. Nesauro H. Firme for the academe, and Atty. Jose V. Mejia for the private sector. Joining them were administrative officials of the JBC and court attorneys representing other regular and ex-officio JBC members.

In welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda underscored the importance of the JBC’s visit in sustaining the momentum of Philippines-Belgium bilateral relations, as it breaks new ground on matters of judicial cooperation. Justice, judicial matters, and the rule of law are integral elements of the Philippines-Belgium Joint Plan of Action signed last year by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

The JBC delegation had meaningful and productive interactions with Belgium’s High Council of Justice, its direct counterpart in the Belgian government which also handles nominations of candidates for appointment to the judiciary. The JBC delegation also held meetings with Belgium’s Judicial Training Institute, which handles the training and continuing education of Belgian magistrates and other court personnel, and the Federal Ombudsman, whose remit is the investigation of citizen complaints concerning federal public services.

Both the Philippine and Belgian sides acknowledged the benefit of enhancing mutual understanding of their respective judicial systems, as well as learning about each other’s best practices. Both sides also undertook to explore further opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.

The Judicial and Bar Council is a body created under the 1987 Philippine Constitution chaired ex-officio by the sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and composed of members from the executive and legislative branches, as well as the IBP, the academe, and the private sector. As an invaluable pillar of the administration of justice and rule of law in the Philippines, its primary mandate is to administer the screening and selection process for nominees to various posts in the Judiciary, from the Supreme Court, other lower courts, the Legal Education Board, and the Ombudsman.

JBC delegation with HCJ officials.

Read more: PH, Belgium Boost Judicial Cooperation with JBC Visit