PHL turns over Asean Tokyo chairmanship to Cambodia

The Philippines turned over to Cambodia on December 8  the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee in Tokyo (ACT).   Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez turned over his post as ACT chairman to Cambodian Ambassador Hor Monirath for the term January to June 2012.   "The ACT is composed of ten ASEAN Ambassadors ACT and its chairmanship rotates every six months," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a news release. The DFA said the turnover was held at a meeting of ASEAN Ambassadors at the Philippine Ambassador's official residence.   It was the third in a series of ACT meetings organized by Philippines since assuming chairmanship in July 2011.   The Philippine Embassy organized and chaired three ASEAN meetings in Tokyo this year.   Lopez had led the ambassadors in meeting local officials of Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture in October, and with visiting ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan in September.   ASEAN Ambassadors also met with the President of the House of Councillors of the Diet in July. Lopez also hosted a luncheon in July for ASEAN ambassadors with  Nikkei Chairman Ryoki Sugita as guest.   The ACT organizes the annual ASEAN Family Day, ACT Bowling Tournament and ACT Golf Tournament. - VVP, GMA News