The Philippine Embassy launched on 19 March 2016 the Kapihan sa Pasuguan, a dialogue between Embassy officials and the Filipino community in Cambodia on issues relevant and important to Pinoys working and living in the Kingdom. Led by the officers of the Samahan ng Mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI), about 50 members of the Filipino Community attended the activity.
Ambassador Christopher B. Montero welcomes members of the Filipino community who attended the inaugural edition of the Kapihan sa Pasuguan at the Sentro Rizal of Phnom Penh.
"Hangarin ng ating Embahada na gamiting plataporma ang Kapihan para mai-bahagi ang mga mahahalagang inpormasyon tungkol sa serbisyo ng ating Embahada para sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Cambodia. Layunin din namin na gamitin ito bilang behikulo para sa konstruktibong talakayan tungkol sa mga isyu at bagay na kinakaharap ng mga Pilipino dito sa Cambodia” Ambassador Christopher B. Montero shared the audience in his opening remarks.
Envisioned to be held quarterly, the inaugural edition of Kapihan tackled civil registration at the Embassy and the overseas voting for this year's national elections. The participants raised many questions regarding the registration of births and marriages abroad, as well as on dual citizenship.
Consul General Myca M. Fischer gives a presentation on the importance of civil registration for Filipinos in Cambodia.
Mr. Romeo Yamat, Chairman of the Special Board of Election Inspectors at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, talks about the forthcoming overseas voting for the national elections that will start 9 April.
The event also included a secular, non-partisan discussion on developments in the Philippines in the run-up to the 2016 National Elections. Conducted by a group of civic-minded individuals led by Mr. Francis Perez, the “Kwentuhang Bayan” portion of the Kapihan talked about the various problems facing the Philippines and how overseas Filipinos can contribute to the solution of these problems. The participants then considered and exchanged ideas on the Scorecard 2016 developed by The Movement for Good Governance (MGG). The MGG Scorecard is a simple and effective guide to evaluate candidates based on three key leadership criteria: effectiveness, empowering, and ethical leadership.
Mr. Francis Perez leads a lively discussion on the upcoming May national elections.
The three-hour activity ended with the participants commending the Embassy’s initiative to be more easily accessible to them and expressing the hope that the Kapihan could be done more often. END