Resolution Expressing the Sense of the Senate in Recognizing the Enduring Friendship and Dynamic Bilateral Relations of the Republic of the Philippines with the Republic of Korea and Expressing Gratitude to the Korean People and their Government for their Continuing Contribution to the National Development of the Philippines

January 26, 2015

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 071-15

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE IN RECOGNIZING THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP AND DYNAMIC BILATERAL RELATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE KOREAN PEOPLE AND THEIR GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR CONTINUING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea have enjoyed 65 years of warm and friendly relations based on a shared history of defending freedom, and our common values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights;

WHEREAS, during the Korean War, the Philippines deployed over 7,000 Filipino soldiers who fought alongside with South Korean troops with 120 of our brave soldiers sacrificing their lives;

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea has become an important partner for the Philippines with regard to trade and investment, defense and security, science and technology, human capital development, development assistance, disaster risk reduction and management;

WHEREAS, as a result of the productive discussions between His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, and Her Excellency Park Geun Hye, President of the Republic of Korea, during the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan in December 2014, both countries pledged to increase cooperation in trade and investment, labor and migration, as well as more people-to-people exchanges;

WHEREAS, Korean investors continue to show confidence in the Philippines, making the Republic of Korea the fifth leading investor in the country, with investments amounting to more than 8.5 billion pesos in 2013 alone; AHCaED

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea has been the Philippines' top source of tourists since 2006, reaching 1.2 million arrivals in 2013;

WHEREAS, a large number of Filipinos and Koreans reside in each other's countries, with 50,000 Filipinos in Korea and 100,000 Koreans living in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the partnership of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea has likewise contributed to the progressive development of international norms, particularly in upholding the primacy of the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes;

WHEREAS, the Korean government and people provided immediate humanitarian assistance to areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the form of cash donations, relief goods, and medicine worth US$5 million and official development assistance (ODA) amounting to US$20 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation;

WHEREAS, the Korean government deployed for a year in Leyte a 500-strong humanitarian team known as the Republic of Korea Joint Support Group or Araw Contingent which conducted medical operations and helped rehabilitate schools and hospitals affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan);

WHEREAS, the inter-parliamentary relations between the Korean National Assembly and the Senate of the Philippines has been strengthened by robust parliamentary exchanges and the existence of a Korea-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Association and a Philippines-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, To recognize the enduring friendship and dynamic bilateral relations of the Philippines and Korea and express gratitude to the Korean people and their Government for their continuing contribution to the national development of the Philippines. HTCISE

Resolved, finally, That a copy of this Resolution be furnished to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Manila and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Seoul.

Adopted,

(SGD.) FRANKLIN M. DRILONPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 26, 2015.

(SGD.) OSCAR G. YABESSecretary of the Senate