Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, announced that on Friday, August 21 the Subcommittee will convene a field hearing to examine the impact of land grabbing in Southeast Asia. The hearing, entitled “Property Rights and Development in Southeast Asia, " will begin at 10 a.m. PT in the Bronco Student Center on the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Chairman Royce said: “For years, the United States has sought to help promote security and economic growth in the Philippines and Cambodia. While there have been some successes, many citizens in Southeast Asia are still denied basic protections under the law - including the right to secure property, raise capital, and participate freely in the economy. This field hearing will seek to address these continuing concerns by hearing from witnesses who have long studied how land grabbing has significantly impacted the lives of Filipinos and Cambodians, as well as U.S. officials charged with promoting development in these important countries."
Subcommittee Chairman Salmon said: “We convene this hearing to explore land tenure, property rights, and the rule of law in Southeast Asia. In order to better serve our citizens and protect their rights abroad, I look forward to hearing from our Administration and private panel for their perspectives on how we can best work with governments in Southeast Asia to improve rule of law, accountability, and transparency."
What.
Subcommittee Field Hearing: “Property Rights and Development in Southeast Asia"
Where.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Bronco Student Center
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
When.
Friday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT
Witnesses.
Panel I
The Honorable Jonathan Stivers
Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Asia
U.S. Agency for International Development
Mr. James Carouso
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Panel II
Mr. Joey Quinto
Publisher
California Journal for Filipino Americans
Mr. Richard J. Rogers
Partner
Global Diligence LLP
(Attorney representing Cambodian victims before the International Criminal Court)
Ms. Faith Bautista
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Asian American Coalition
Mr. Zosimo Laurel Contreras
(Litigant in Philippines property dispute)
*** The hearing will be webcast live HERE.
