The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria

APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR VISA AND OTHER CONSULAR SERVICES

For your safety and convenience, the Embassy has initiated a new appointment system for Consular services.

Starting 26 August 2022, the Embassy will no longer accept walk-ins for visa application interview and submission of documents, and other consular services.

To schedule an appointment, please visit https://abujape.as.me

ALL APPLICANTS/CLIENTS MUST BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE.

Only those with confirmed appointments will be allowed at the Embassy.

Appointment is FREE of charge. The Embassy or its officials will never charge for an appointment.

For strict compliance.

Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo on the 6th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

12 July 2022

Today we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. More than a historic milestone whose value lies in its commemorative significance, we recall 12 July 2016 as the day that affirmed to the community of nations that the rule of law prevails, and that stability, peace and progress can only be attained when founded on a rules-based legal order on the oceans, as it should be everywhere else.

The Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea.

The year 2022 is also the 40th anniversary of the adoption of UNCLOS. UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. There is no recourse to general international law on matters comprehensively covered by the UNCLOS. Compliance with UNCLOS, which represents a delicate balance of the rights and obligations of all States Parties, in its entirety is key to ensuring global and regional peace and the fair and sustainable use of the oceans.

The Award, an affirmation of UNCLOS’ dispute resolution mechanisms, not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is an inspiration for how matters should be considered – through reason and right – by states facing similarly challenging circumstances.

It authoritatively ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’ had no basis in law and is without legal effect.

It upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone.

It affirmed that certain actions within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes.

These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award.

The Award benefits the world across the board. We do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far. We see it as it should be seen: as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change. It puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription.

And so we say once again: the present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to this for as long as it exists. END

ABUJA PE CELEBRATES PH 124th INDEPENDENCE DAY, BIGGEST SINCE PANDEMIC

ABUJA, 14 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Abuja held its first big event since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in Nigeria to mark the Philippines’ 124th Independence Day, welcoming more than 100 guests in the Chancery on Sunday, 12 June 2022.

(T) Flag raising ceremony attended by the Embassy personnel, diplomatic guests, and Filipino community

(B) Ambassador Shirley Ho-Vicario greets High Commissioner of Canada H.E. James Christoff

Also part of the event was the public taking of the Oath of Allegiance of Mrs. Veronica Snoxell, who had previously lost her Filipino citizenship when she gained British citizenship.

(L) Third Secretary and Vice Consul Dana Del Rosario served as the emcee of the event

(R) Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Roderico C. Atienza administering the Oath of Allegiance of Mrs. Veronica Snoxell

The celebration started promptly at 9:00 a.m. for the flag raising ceremony and pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag, followed by Ambassador Shirley Ho-Vicario’s welcome remarks. The video messages of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. were also played to the guests.

(T) Ambassador Ho-Vicario and the VIP guests

(B) Cake cutting with the guests

In attendance were members of the Filipino community and their families, and select members of the diplomatic corps: Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Usra Hendra Harahap and spouse, Vietnamese Ambassador H.E. Luong Quoc Thinh and spouse, Malaysian High Commissioner H.E. Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet, and Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. James Christoff and spouse Grendel Alvarado.

(T) Ambassador Ho-Vicario with Mdme. Nenny Harahap, spouse of Indonesian Ambassador

(B) Happy faces of the women of the Filipino Community with Embassy personnel Ms. Daisy Perez and Ms.Janice Villamar

An estimated 120 to 140 guests attended the event and enjoyed the sumptuous Filipino breakfast spread prepared by the Embassy, along with food donated by members of the Filipino community. Members of the Filipino community enjoyed the food and socials in the biggest gathering of Filipinos in Abuja in the past couple of years.

The successful event ended at 12 noon after guests had partaken in food and socials. - END.