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Ceremonial Correspondence

Congratulatory Messages

The President of the Philippines sends congratulatory messagesto heads of states celebrating occasions such as: independence day, anniversaries, principal national holidays, and birthdays of monarchs, heads of state and heads of government.

These messages are prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are sent either directly to the heads of state or through the Philippine diplomatic representative in the celebrating state. The text of the message is likewise quoted in a note sent by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the representative of the celebrating state in the Philippines.

Example:

(1)

Mesage transmitted by the President to the President of the United States on the anniversary of its independence:


        ON THE OCCASION OF THE 199TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION

OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES CMA THE FILIPINO PEOPLE JOIN

ME AND MRS MARCOS IN CONVEYING SINCERE FELICITATIONS AND BEST

WISHES STOP MAY I EXPRESS MY FERVENT HOPE THAT PHILIPPINE AMERICAN

FRIENDSHIP SHALL CONTINUE TO GROW EVEN STRONGER FOR THE MUTUAL

BENEFIT OF OUR TWO COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES.


(2)

Note sent by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador in Manila:


Manila, 4 July 1975                

        Excellency:

        I have the honor to quote hereunder the text of the radiogram of His Excellency, the President of the Philippines to His Excellency, the President of the United States:

        "ON THE OCCASION OF THE 199TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION

OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES CMA THE FILIPINO PEOPLE JOIN

ME AND MRS MARCOS IN CONVEYING SINCERE FELICITATIONS AND BEST

WISHES STOP MAY I EXPRESS MY FERVENT HOPE THAT PHILIPPINE AMERICAN

FRIENDSHIP SHALL CONTINUE TO GROW EVEN STRONGER FOR THE MUTUAL

BENEFIT OF OUR TWO COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES."

        The officials of the Ministry join me in extending to you and to the members of your staff my best wishes on this happy occasion.

        Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

CARLOS P. ROMULO                          
Minister for Foreign Affairs                        

His Excellency
        Ambassador of the United States
                Manila


Felicittions are also sent on days of great rejoicing or celebration.

Birth Anniversary

    

Birthday - RP-UK        

JFF - 132

        The Ambassador of the Philippines presents His compliments to His Excellency Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and has the honour to transmit through His Excellency to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II the following message from His Excellency the President of the Philippines:

HER MAJESTY
QUEEN ELIZABETH

        "MRS. MARCOS JOINS ME AND THE FILIPINO PEOPLE IN CONVEYING
TO YOUR MAJESTY OUR SINCERE BEST WISHES AND FELICITATION ON YOUR
BIRTHDAY."

        "MAY YOUR MAJESTY CONTINUE TO ENJOY GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
IN THE YEARS TO COME."

"FERDINAND E. MARCOS                            
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES"                    

        The Ambassador of the Philippines avails himself of this opportunity to renew to His Excellency Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs the assurances of his highest consideration.

3 May 1973


Birth of a Royal Heir

    

NV-89-68                                                                                                29th May 1968

Excellency:

        I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's Note of the 27th May 1968 conveying to me the good news of the birth of a Prince to Her Royal Highness Princess Margrethe.

        I share the feeling of the Danish people over the happy event and extend my heartfelt congratulations to their Royal Highnesses.

        Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of most distinguished consideration.

[Pen Signature]                                                

His Excellency
        Poul Hartling
                Minister for Foreign Affairs
                        Copenhagen


Correspondence Between Heads of States

Heads of states send each other congratulatory messages on the occasion of national holidays or birthdays of a sovereign, and messages of condolence on the death of a close member of the sovereign's family. They also send letters to each other on any topic, but usually covering areas of common interest to their countries.

On the Occasion of Accession to the Throne because of Death or Abdication

    

Name and Title of Sovereign

To (Name and Title of Head of State)
        (Address)

Great and Good Friend:

        Called by the death (abdication) of my Father and by the order of succession to the throne of (name of country), I fulfill the duty of announcing to you my accession. I trust that my reign will always find support in your sentiments and I wish to assure you that on my part it will be pleasure to maintain and to cultivate the friendly relations and good will which happily exist between our two countries.

        I express the hope that you will lend me your valuable cooperation with a view to attaining this results, which is for the greater good of the people whose destinies have been confided in us. It is with this sentiment that I avail myself of this opportunity to convey to you my sincere wishes for the prosperity of (name of state of addressee) as well as for your personal happiness.

Your Good Friend,                              

[Signature of Sovereign]                        

Signature of Foreign Secretary (Minister)
Place and date of signing of letter


On the Occasion of Election to the Presidency

    

Name and Title of Head of State

To (Name and Title of Head of State)
        (Address)

Great and Good Friend:

        I have the honor to inform you that I have taken on this day my oath of office as President of (name of state), to serve as such for a period of (four) years.

        In conveying this information, I wish to assure you that it shall be on my constant endeavor to maintain and strengthen the friendly relations that happily exist between our two countries at the present time. I trust that, in the attainment of this objective, you will lend me your valuable cooperation.

        I avail myself of this opportunity to express to you (Excellency, Majesty) my sincere wishes for the prosperity of (name of state), as well as for your personal happiness.

Your Good Friend,                              

[Signature of Head of State]                        

Signature of Minister for Foreign Affairs
Place and date of signing of letter


The reply may be as follows:

    

Name and Title of Head of State

To (Name and Title of Head of State)
        (Address)

Great and Good Friend:

        I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of (date), announcing your (accession, election) to the (Throne, Presidency). It is my hope that under your benign (wise) rule (leadership), the bonds of friendship that bind our two countries will be maintained and further strengthened. Please be assured that, on my part, I shall endeavor to work for the realization of this end.

        I avail myself of this opportunity to convey to Your (Majesty, Excellency) my sincere wishes for the prosperity of (name of state of addressee), as well as for your well-being and happiness.

Your Good Friend,                              

[Signature of Head of State]                        

Signature of Minister for Foreign Affairs
Place and date of signing of letter


Death of a Head of State

A formal notification on the death of a head of state is made to all chief of mission accredited to the country of the deceased.

The diplomatic representatives of the mourning country notify the Foreign Office of the country to which they are accredited, of the death of their head of state. A stationery with a black stripe on the upper right side is used.

Example:

    

Excellency:

        It is with deep regret that I fulfill the sad task of informing you of the death of the Honorable ___________________, President of the Philippines, on ___________________________.

        A visitor's book is provided at the Chancery of the Embassy, for those who may wish to pay calls of condolence, and will be open daily from eight to twelve o'clock in the morning and from two to four o'clock in the afternoon, until the day of the funeral.

        Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of our highest consideration.

Signature of Chief of Mission                                

(Name and Address of Foreign Minister)


A week after closing the visitor's book, a card of thanks is sent by the chief of mission to all those who have expressed their condolences.

A.

Sample Card of Thanks


The Ambassador of the Philippines
gratefully acknowledges
your expression of
sympathy on the occasion
of the death of
The Honorable ______________
President of the Philippines


B.

Sample of Message of Condolence


        The Ambassador of the Philippines presents his compliments to His Excellency the French Ambassador and has the honour to convey his sincerest condolences on the death of His Excellency General Charles de Gaulle, the great leader and former President of France whose place in history is secure among the greatest statesmen and as one of the towering personalities of our time.

        The Philippine Ambassador shares the sentiments of loss and sorrow felt all over the world at the passing away of such an eminent patriot whose entire career was single-mindedly devoted to the service of his country and his people but at the same time advanced the broader causes of peace and freedom for all mankind.

        The Ambassador of the Philippines avails himself of this opportunity to extend to His Excellency the French Ambassador the renewed assurances of his highest consideration.

11 November 1970


Documents Issued to/for Consular Officers

Consular Commission (Letters Patent)

    

The President of the Philippines

To all who shall see these Presents, Greetings:

        Know ye, that, reposing special trust and confidence in the Integrity, Fidelity and Ability of (name of consular officer), I do assign him as (rank) of the Republic of the Philippines at (post) and uch other parts as shall be nearer thereto than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice Consul of the Republic of the Philippines within the same allegiance; and do authorize and empower him to have and to hold the said Office, and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities thereto appertaining, during the pleasure of the President of the Philippines; and I do hereby enjoin all Captains, Masters and Commanders of ships and other vessels, armed or unarmed, sailing under the flag of the Republic of the Philippines, as well as other citizens, to acknowledge and consider him, the said (name of consular officer) accordingly; and I hereby pray and request (the Government of the receiving state) and all its authorities, judges, civil and military officials to recognize (name of consular officer) in his capacity of (rank) and to permit him fully and peaceably to enjoy and exercise the said office without giving or suffering to begiven unto him, any molestation or trouble, but on the contrary to afford him all proper countenance and assistance. I offer to do the same for all those who shall, in like manner, be recommended to me by (said Government).

        In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be here unto affixed.

        Done in the city of Manila, this ______ day of _______________ in the year of our Lord, one thousend nine hundred and ____________, and of the independence of the Philippines, the ___________________.

(Seal of the Republic of the Philippines)

Signature of the President                        

By the President:

Signature of the Minister for Foreign Affairs


Sample Request for Provisional Recognition

    

Excellency:

        I have the honor to inform you that (name of consular officer), whose curriculum vitae is enclosed herewith, has been appointed Consul of (name of sending state) in (name of receiving state), with residence in (name of city where consular office will be located).

        I would appreciate it if, pending the receipt of this commission and the issuance of an exequatur thereon, (name of consular officer) may be granted provisional recognition.

        Accept, Excelency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Signature of Chief of Mission                        

His Excellency
        The Minister for Foreign Affairs
                Manila


Exequatur

    

(Name of President)

President of the Philippines

To all whom it may concern:

        Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me that (name of consular officer) has been appointed (rank of consular officer), I do recognize him as such, and declare him free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers, and privileges as are allowed to consular officers by the Law of Nations or by the Laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

        In testimony hereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be hereunto affixed.

        Done in the City of Manila this (date), and of the Independence of the Philippines, the ___________________________.

Signature of the President                        

By the President:
        Minister for Foreign Affairs


(SAMPLE: FULL POWERS)

MALACAÑANG PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

TO ALL WHOM THOSE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETINGS:

        KNOW YE, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence and ability of:

        Honorable Manuel Collantes, Deputy Minister
        for Foreign Affairs
- Chairman
Ambassador Hortencio J. Brillantes- Member
Ambassador Pacifico A. Castro- Member
Ambassador Nicasio Valderrama- Member
Counsellor Jaime J. Yamhao- Member

        I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, have designated the Honorable Manuel Collantes Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, as Leader and the rest as Members of the Philippine Observer Delegation to the Sixth Summit Conference of Non-Aligned Countries to be held in Havana, Cuba on 25 August to 9 September 1979, and have invested in them with full and all manner of power and authority, for and in the name of the Republic of the Philippines, to meet and confer with any person or persons duly represented in the said Meeting being invested with like power and authority.

        IN THE TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

        DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 14th day of July in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy nine.

BY THE PRESIDENT:

        Minister for Foreign Affairs


(SAMPLE: LETTER-CREDENTIALS)

13 February 1981                        

S i r :

        In connection with the forthcoming Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee Inter-sessional Meeting on the Law of the Sea which will be held from 16 to 18 February 1981 and Inter-sessional Expert Group Meeting on the Exclusive Economic Zone, from 19 to 21 February 1981, both in New Delhi, I wish to inform you that the following shall be participants in said Meetings:

1.Counsellor RODOLFO A. ARIZALA
Acting Director-General
United Nations and International
Organizations, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Manila
- Representative
2.Mr. FRANKLIN M. EBDALIN
Second Secretary
Philippine Embassy, New Delhi
- Alternate
   Representative

Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

(SGD) CARLOS P. ROMULO                                
Minister for Foreign Affairs                                

The Honorable
        B. Sen
                Secretary General
                        Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee
                                New Delhi

UNIO:RAA:prf:act


Letters of Credence

    

(SAMPLE: LETTER OF CREDENCE - PILIPINO)

PANGULO NG PILIPINAS

(RP SEAL)

Dakila at Butihing Kaibigan:

        Hinirang ko si                                                        

isang magiting na mamamayan ng Pilipinas, upang manirahang

malapit sa Pamahalaan ng lnyong                                bilang

ng Republika ng Pilipinas. May lubos siyang kabatiran hinggil

sa mga kapakanan ng dalawang bansa at hinggil sa matapat na

hangarin ng Pamahalaang ito na lubusang linangin ang pagkaka-

ibigang matagal nang nagbubuklod sa kanila. Ang aking nalalaman

tungkol sa kanyang ulirang katauhan at kakayahan ay nagdulot sa

akin ng lubos n pagtitiwala na tuwina'y sisikapin niyang mapa-

unlad ang mga kapakanan at kasaganaan ng dalawang Pamaha-

laan at sa gayo'y maging kanais-nais siya sa Inyong.

        Samakatwid, hinihiling ko sa Inyong

na siya'y mabutihin ninyong tanggapin at lubos ninyong panaligan

ang anumang sasabihin niya sa panig ng Republika ng Pilipinas at

sa mga iniatas kong paratingin niya sa inyo na mga pahayag ng

lalong mabubuting hangarin ng Pamahalaang ito para sa kasaganaan

ng

        Ingalan nawa ng Maykapal ang Inyong                        sa

kanyang matalinong Pangangalaga.

Ang Inyong Butihing Kaibigan,                        

Nilagdaan ng Pangulo:

        Minister ng mga Ugnayang Panlabas

                Maynila, Ika


(SAMPLE: LETTER OF CREDENCE - ENGLISH)

PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Great and Good Friend:

        I have made choice of

a distinguished citizen of the Philippines, to reside near the Government

of Your                        in the quality of

of the Republic of the Philippines. He is well informed of the relative

interests of the two countries and of the sincere desire of this Govern-

ment to cultivate to the fullest extent the friendship which has so long

subsisted between them. My knowledge of his high character and ability

gives me entire confidence that he will constantly endeavor to advance

the interests and prosperity of both Governments and so render himself

acceptable to Your

        I therefore request Your                        to receive him favorably

and to give full credence to what he shall say on the part of the Republic

of the Philippines and to the assurances which I have charged him to con-

vey to you of the best wishes of this Government for the prosperity of

 

        May God have Your                        in wise keeping.

Your Good Friend,                                                        

By the President:

        Minister of Foreign Affairs

                Manila


Letter of Credence Accrediting Ambassador to the Pope

    

Name and Title of Head of State

To (Title and Name of Pope)

Most Holy Father or Your Holiness:

        Desirous of Yostering the relations of friendship and good
understanding that exists between the Philippines and the Holy See,
I have decided to accredit to Your Holiness (name of ambassador),
a distinguished citizen of the Philippines, in the character of
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the
Philippines. He is well informed of the relative interests of our
two states and of the sincere desire of this Government to cultivate
to the fullest extent of the friendly relations which have long
subsisted between us. My knowledge of his high character and ability
gives me entire confidence that, in the discharge of his duties, he
will constantly endeavor to advance the interest and prosperity of
both Governments and so render himself acceptable to Your Holiness.

        I therefore request Your Holiness to receive him favorably,
and to give full confidence to what he shall say on behalf of the
Republic of the Philippines, more especially to the assurances which
I have charged him to convey to Your Holiness of the best wishes of
this Government for the prosperity and well-being of the Holy See.

        May God have Your Holiness in His safe and wise keeping.

Signature of Head of State                                                

By the President:

Signature of Minister for Foreign Affairs
Date and place of issue


Letter of Credence Accrediting a Minister to a King

    

(Name and Title of Head of Sending State)

To (Title and Name of Sovereign)

Great and Good Friend:

        I have chosen (name of Minister), a distinguished citizen of
the Philippines, to accredit to Your Majesty in the character of
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
the Philippines. He is well informed of the relative interests of
our two countries, and of the sincere desire of this Government to
cultivate to the fullest extent the relations of friendship and good
understanding which have so long subsisted between us. My knowledge
of his high character and ability gives me entire confidence that,
in the discharge of his duties, he will constantly endeavor to advance
the interests and prosperity of both Governments and so render himself
acceptable to Your Majesty.

        I therefore request Your Majesty to receive him favorably and
to give full credence to what he shall say on behalf of the
Republic of the Philippines, and more especially to the assurances
which I have charged him to convey to Your Majesty of the best
wishes of this Government for the prosperity of (name of receiving
state
).

        May God have Your Majesty in His wise keeping.

Your Good Friend,                                                

Signature of Head of Sending State                                      

By the President:

Signature of Minister for Foreign Affairs
Date and place of issue


Letter Accrediting a Charge d'Affaires

    

Excellency:

        I have the honor to inform you that I have appointed (name of
officer
) as Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Philippines in
(name of receiving state). Mr. (name of officer) will serve in that
capacity pending the arrival of an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the Philippines.

        In communicating the foregoing information, I have the honor to
request that Mr. (name of officer) be recognized in the character
above mentioned, and that he be received favorably, giving full
credence to what he shall say in my behalf, and causing to be
extended to him such immunities, privileges and courtesies as are
usually accorded to a diplomatic representative of his rank and
position.

        I avail myself of this occasion to convey to Your Excellency
the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

Minister for Foreign Affairs                                                

His Excellency
        (Name and Address of Minister for
                Foreign Affairs of Receiving State)


Letters of Recall

    

(SAMPLE: LETTER OF RECALL - PILIPINO)

PANGULO NG PILIPINAS

(RP SEAL)

Dakila at Butihing Kaibigan:

        Sa dahilang si                                na may

ilang panahon nanirahang malapit sa Pamahalaang ng Inyong

                bilang

                                                      ng Republika ng Pilipinas

ay pinabalik na, at sa dahilang bindi niya maiaabot nang tuwiran

ang kanyang liham ng pagpapabalik, ipinagkatiwala ko sa kanyang

kahalili ang tungkuling paglalagay niyon sa mga kamay ng Inyong

        Ikinalulugod kong paniwalaan na si

sa panahon ng kanyang misyo, ay nag-ukol ng buo niyang maka-

kaya upang mapatibay ang mabuting pagkakaunawaan at magiliw

na pagsasamahan ng dalawang Pamahalaan ng Republika ng Pilipi-

nas at ng

Ako'y umaasa na sa kasiya-siyang panunuparan ng tungkuling inl-

atang sa kanya'y natamo niya ang pagtingin at mabuting kalooban

ng Inyong

Ang Inyong Butihing Kaibigan,                        

Nilagdaan ng Pangulo:

Minister ng mga Ugnayang Panlabas

        Maynila, Ika


(SAMPLE: LETTER OF RECALL - ENGLISH)

PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Great and Good Friend:

                                                who has for some time resided

near the Government of Your                        in the character of

of the Republic of the Philippines, having

and being unable to present his letter of recall in person, I have entrusted

to his successor the duty of placing it in the hands of Your

        I am pleased to believe that                                        during his mission,

devoted all his efforts to strengthening the good understanding and the

friendly relations existing between the Government of the Republic of the

Philippines and                                                        I entertain the

hope that, while fulfilling satisfactorily the trust imposed upon him he

succeded in gaining Your                                        esteem and good will.

Your Good Friend,                                                        

By the President:

Minister for Foreign Affairs

        Manila


Calling Cards

Forms for Diplomatic Officers:

1.

Juan de la Cruz
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Philippines

Paris, France

2.

Juan de la Cruz
Ambassador of the Philippines

Paris, France

3.

Ramon Garcia
Second Secretary of Embassy of the Philippines

Rome, Italy

Cards are used for various occasions: to express gratitude, felicitations, to make and return calls, condolences, etc.

The following are generally accepted abbreviations, written in pencil on the lower left-hand corner of cards:

p.p. - pour presenter (to introduce)
p.r. - pour remercier (to express appreciation or thanks)
p.c. - pour consoler (to extend condolences)
p.f. - pour feliciter (to extend felicitations)
p.p.c. - pour pendre conge (to say goodbye)

Card forms for Consular Officers:

1.

Jose Reyes
Consul General of the Philippines

2.

Jose Reyes
Consul of the Republic of the Philippines

3.

Jose Reyes
Vice Consul of the Philippines

Diplomatic and consular officers when assigned in the Home Office should refrain from using their diplomatic titles or ranks. They should indicate below their names, the position they hold in the Home Office.
    

(SAMPLE: CALLING CARDS)
(90 x 52 mm)

Sample calling card

Sample calling card

Sample calling card

Sample calling card


Invitations

    

(SAMPLE: INVITATIONS)
(180 x 127 mm)

Sample invitation

Sample invitation