Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the following upcoming Committee events:

Friday, August 21

Subcommittee Field Hearing: Property Rights and Development in Southeast Asia

10 a.m. PT on Friday, August 21 at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona’s Bronco Student Center in Pomona, California

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman

Invited Witnesses Include:

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)

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “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.”

Chairman Salmon on the hearing: “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."

 

***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

*** The hearing will be webcast live HERE.

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