CPIRAS

ADVISERS

Prof. Julio S. Amador, III

Mr. Julio Amador III was Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Service Institute. He provides policy analysis and strategic advice on ASEAN issues, Southeast Asia security and international relations, and foreign policy to several offices in the Department of Foreign Affairs. He earned a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Security Studies as a Fulbright Graduate Scholar at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University for 2012-2013. He was an Asia Studies Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center in Washington from May 27 to November 27, 2013. He lectures at the De La Salle-College of St Benilde, Development Academy of the Philippines, FSI, and the Special Intelligence Training School (SITS).

H.E. Laura Q. del Rosario

Ambassador Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario was a career diplomat who joined the Philippine Foreign Service in 1979. She has served various tours of duty in the Philippine Embassies in Vienna, Singapore, and Washington D.C. She also served as the Philippine Ambassador to India and as the non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Nepal from 2003-2007. Ambassador Del Rosario was designated as the Director-General of the Foreign Service Institute or FSI from 2009-2011 before serving as the DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations from 2011-2016. During the Philippines’ hosting of APEC in 2015, she chaired meetings as the Chair of the Senior Officials’ Meetings. Aside from being a career diplomat, Ambassador Del Rosario is an educator whose early career in the academe began at Maryknoll College where she served as the Acting Department Chairman of the Literary Studies Department and as Director of Admissions for five years. She is currently an Eminent Fellow at the Development Academy of the Philippines and a Distinguished Fellow at the Asian Institute of Management.

Orlando S. Mercado, Ph.D.

Dr. Mercado was a senator of the Philippines for two terms (1987–1992 and 1992–1998). In 1998, he was appointed Secretary of National Defense by then President Joseph Estrada. In 2009 he was appointed as the first permanent representative of the Philippines to ASEAN. He is currently the Secretary-General of the Eastern Regional Organization and Public Administration (EROPA), an organization of states, groups and individuals in the general area of Asia and the Pacific. He has taught courses in Public Administration and Communication in the University of the Philippines where he obtained all his degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Master of Arts in Communication, and Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science. He is a faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government and has been conferred membership to the Council of Fellows of the Development Academy of the Philippines with the title Eminent Fellow. He is also a member of the DAP Academic Council.

Jose Prospero E. de Vera, III, DPA

Dr. de Vera III is a Professor of Public Administration, teaching courses in administration of social development, public administration and national development, Philippine administrative system, and policy process among others. His specializations include demography/population, environmental policy, higher education governance, legislative studies, monitoring and evaluation, non-governmental organizations, policy analysis, political management, and social development.

Atty. Roberto V. Oliva

Atty. Oliva is a professional forester and lawyer. He specializes in natural resources law and policy and has over 30 years of professional experience in the areas of forestry, protected areas, environment and natural resources management. Prior to his appointment as ACB (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity) Executive Director, he served as Assistant Secretary (Assistant Minister) at the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPCFNR) in 1978 as a government scholar and finished his law degree in 1984. Atty. Oliva worked with various international organizations, including the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and US Agency for International Development and private consulting firms mostly as natural resources policy and legal specialist.

ACTIVITIES

CPIRAS second batch successfully concluded; certificates awarded to 19 participants

To The Certificate Program in International Relations and ASEAN Studies (CPIRAS) of the New Era University ASEAN Studies Center recently concluded its 2nd run earlier this March. Participants of the program attended the 10-Saturday series of lecture-training and workshop facilitated by leading experts in the fields of diplomacy and international relations. The 19 participants –students, professionals, and academics, who have completed the program were given recognition on the Awarding of Certificates last April 28, 2018. Dr. Carlos Tabunda, Jr., ASC Director, gave a short speech and welcomed the attendees. He also introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Julio S. Amador III, ASEAN Studies Center Adviser. Mr. Amador mentioned that international relations is such a complex and intricate course and he hopes that those who took up the CPIRAS will now have a certain advantages in understanding foreign affairs and having a sophisticated appreciation of regional, national and global developments. After the message of the guest speaker, certificates were awarded to the participants. Before the program ended, Dr. Tabunda gave a short speech to encourage the attendees to continue their foray into the world of international relations and other related studies and to pave the way for other professionals and students to engage in the said field.

NEU-ASC, Center for International Linkages hosts Forum on Federalism

On March 20, 2018, the New Era University-ASEAN Studies Center and the Center for International Linkages held a Forum on Federalism at the University Hall. The said event aimed to raise the public’s awareness on the advantages and disadvantages of a federal form of govenrment. Former Senator Atty. Joey Lina, former CHED Commissioner Dr. Alex Brillantes, and former Bulacan Governor Roberto Pagdanganan were guest speakers. Each speaker was given thirty (30) minutes to deliver their stand regarding the matter of federalism in the Philippines. Atty. Lina reiterated his belief that amending the constitution is not necessary in order to implement a federal form of government in our country as such a system is already guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution and the 1992 Local Government Code (LGC). He cited his stint as Laguna Governor an example of strict adherence to the precepts of the LGC that resulted in the growth of the province. For his part, Dr. Brillantes said that Federalism is the “logical next step” in the process of devolution (transferring power from the national level into the local level), and will help alleviate the sad condition of the fringe provinces, especially in Mindanao. He stressed the importance of involving the citizenry, especially the younger generation, in the discussions regarding this matter. He also warned against mere copying other countries’ model for federalism and called for a deep study on how to create a system of federal government fit for our country. Former Governor Pagdanganan capped off the discussions by stressing the importance of changing the status quo. He posited that a carefully studied and structured federal government with a single constitution might provide the remedy to the ills of political dynasties, extreme rural and urban poverty, and lack of unity of policies in the metropolitan areas. Each of the speakers emphasized the importance of discussion about federalism which is very timely since the issue is all over the news and social media these days.

NEU-ASC co-hosts ASEAN-India Forum

On November 21, 2017, the New Era University together with Eagle Broadcasting Corporation held an ASEAN-India Forum at the EBC Atrium, Central Avenue, Quezon City. Called, “The Forum: Celebrating 25 Years of ASEAN-India Partnership”, the event is the first in a series of gatherings for foreign ambassadors and leaders of their partner foundations and organizations to speak about their own country and government and their relationship to the Philippines.

In his keynote speech, H.E. Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, expressed his gratitude to the New Era University and EBC for recognizing his country through this forum. He also mentioned that India and the Philippines have similarities in many ways. Both are democratic countries and leaders are focused in the inclusive growth, anti-corruption and infrastructure. The four panel discussions touched upon the different aspects and fields of concern regarding the relationship between ASEAN and India: The first session focused on the Philippines’ perspective on economic cooperation, political convergence and strategic partnership. The second talked about the growth of trade industry among ASEAN countries in which made way for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of India in the ASEAN market. Agribusiness was mentioned too and its benefits for the livelihood of the Filipinos. The third session discussed the need to strengthen the bilateral socio-cultural engagements between India and the Philippines. They stated the need to expand and increase student exchange, Indian-oriented think-tanks, training programs, common advocacies and the field of music. The fourth session discussed the challenges to India-Philippines relations and drew a way forward to a closer link between the two countries.

New Era University’s ASEAN Studies Center successfully concludes first batch of Certificate Program

The New Era University ASEAN Studies Center, or ASC, recently concluded its first batch of seminars for the Certificate Program in International Relations and ASEAN Studies (CPIRAS). The CPIRAS aims to create and foster amongst the members of the academe, professionals, and the general public sufficient knowledge and understanding of the basic theories and approaches to international relations, diplomacy, ASEAN-related matters, and national and international security issues. The conception and execution of this program coincided with the Philippine hosting of the 31st Summit and 50th anniversary celebrations of ASEAN. Among the lecturers who were kind enough to lend their time and expertise to the CPIRAS were former Senator and Defense Secretary Orly Mercado, UP Professors Aries Arugay and Herman Kraft, and eminent lawyer and South China Sea expert Jay Batongbacal. To show the enthusiastic support of the University to the CPIRAS and the drive to promote faculty development, the first batch of CPIRAS attendees were thirty-five (35) select faculty members and department heads. The CPIRAS ran for ten (10) weekly lectures and workshops, every Saturday from September to November. Right from the very first meeting, the CPIRAS immediately proved to be an engaging, deeply informative, and enjoyable series of lectures and workshops. The lecturers utilized a combination of comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand presentations based on the latest academic literature, smart visuals and complimentary video presentations, and their own expert insights on the subject. An open forum was also held at the end of every lecture, giving the attendees opportunity for further inquiry and assessment of the lectures. As a fitting conclusion to the first series of seminars and a testament to the success of CPIRAS, the ASC held an Awarding of Certificates for the attendees who completed the program. The gathering was held on November 11, 2017, 2:00 in the afternoon, at the Faculty Lounge of the Professional Schools Building of the New Era University, and was attended by the University vice-presidents for Administration, for Research, for and Academic Affairs. The second series of CPIRAS lectures and workshops are scheduled to begin on November 25, 2017.

NEU-ASC plays host to Dr. E. Koldunova of MGIMO for Round-table discussion on RP-Russia relations

Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova, deputy dean of the School of Political Affairs of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), visited the New Era University last November 25, 2016 to take part in a roundtable discussion hosted by the New Era University-ASEAN Studies Center. The said event centered around discussions on RP-Russia relations under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia, the Philippines, and the whole of the ASEAN will stand to benefit from a closer relationship among these countries as ASEAN pushes its development agenda for the coming decades. “Generally, I think that this is a very positive moment for both Russia and the Philippines, …we need to have more connections at more levels” remarked Dr Koldunova as she further discussed the importance of improving bilateral relations between the Philippines and Russia, as well as the multilateral relations of Russia with the rest of the ASEAN member states. Dr. Koldunova further stated that it would also be good to start with exchange of opinions between Russian and the Philippine experts and through student exchanges so that the current generation of Filipinos and Russians to know more about each other’s culture and history. “Small things can work well in the final outcome,” she said. But, more importantly, the historical meeting between Presidents Duterte and Putin would mean a lot for Russia and the Philippines, particularly since the Philippines would be hosting next year’s ASEAN summit. ASEAN will also be celebrating its 50th year next year. “Hopefully, this historical encounter between Putin and Duterte at the sidelines of the APEC summit this year in Peru means business initiatives will follow. We know we cannot predict the future. But looking (with) more interest at each other, looking more intensively to each other also means quite a lot,”