The House plenary hall (Contributed photo)




The Speaker Martin Romualdez-led House of Representatives has adopted a resolution seeking to strengthen the mutual cooperation between the Philippines and Japan through the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society. “The Philippines and Japan have a history of close bilateral relations spanning more than 67 years now. And in those long years, Japan has always been a close ally in almost every facet of international relations, especially in the areas of trade and economy,” said Romualdez, one of the authors of House Resolution (HR) No. 1146. The resolution stated that on July 23, 1956, the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Japan-Philippines Reparations Agreement were enforced, normalizing the diplomatic relations between the two countries. “In 1971, the Philippines-Japan Society was established which positively contributed to the strong bilateral Philippines-Japan relations that now persist at various levels of great importance – business and economics, academic, technical training, cultural and interpersonal exchange,” HR No. 1146 read. “On November 13, 1987, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 14, entitled ‘Resolution Organizing the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society,’ strengthening the inter-parliamentary dialogue and enhancing beneficial ties between the House of Representatives of both the Republic of the Philippines and Japan,” it added. The measure, adopted by the lower chamber last Monday, July 31, also provides for the designation of officers and members of the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society. Designated were Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona G. Labadlabad as chairperson, Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel J. Arenas as vice chairperson, and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales, Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Reps. Isidro T. Ungab, Roberto V. Puno, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Camille A. Villar, Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, Ralph G. Recto, Vincent “Duke” D. Frasco, Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Gerardo P. Valmayor, Jr., Mario Vittorio “Marvey” A. Mariño, Raul “Boboy” C. Tupas, Neptali M. Gonzales II, Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, Ma. Lucille I. Nava, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, Ron P. Salo, Antonio “Tonypet” T. Albano, Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr., Marissa “Del Mar” P. Magsino, Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata, Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag, Robert Raymund M. Estrella, and Luis Raymund “LRay” F. Villafuerte, Jr. as members. The friendship society is based on “genuine friendship and mutual trust and respect,” where the relationship between the Philippines and Japanese governments was strengthened. “To commemorate the 50 years of strong partnership and diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, the year 2006 was declared as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Year under Proclamation No. 905, Series of 2005, and July 23, 2006, as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day, by virtue of Proclamation No. 854, Series of 2005,” the resolution read. “Through the Philippine-Japan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society, the Philippines and Japan share a common aspiration to intensify their collaborative endeavors in pursuit of regional peace and prosperity, to promote mutual understanding and cooperation, and to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and solidarity between them,” it continued. It also said that with the accession of Japan as a dialogue partner to the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, “the special relationship of the Philippines and Japan is further developed, and the regional cooperation towards perpetual peace, everlasting amity, and collaboration among the peoples in ASEAN is enhanced".