Singapore
April 24, 2018

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap tackles the significance of the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins his fellow leaders in the regional bloc event from April 26-28, 2018.

Following the successful Philippines hosting of the ASEAN in 2017, Ambassador Yap said that the participation of President Duterte to the Summit shows solidarity towards Singapore as it assumed the chairmanship this year. The President is expected to pursue and discuss certain policies with his fellow leaders that the Philippine government considers important.

Part of the Chief Executive’s agenda to the Summit focuses on the rights and welfare of migrant workers, maritime security, and economic development and integration.

Moreover, Ambassador Yap details the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore that traces its roots since the opening of the Philippine Embassy in the country in 1969. Up to this day, the two nations continue to enhance and strengthen that relation in various areas of cooperation such as trade and investment, economy, tourism, defense, and culture-to-culture ties.

Prior to his posting as the Philippine envoy to Singapore, Ambassador Yap worked in the private sector serving as a corporate executive to big companies such as the Filinvest Group, Family Bank and Trust Company, Nestle Company Inc., and Manila Electric Company.

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