Resolution Expressing the Sense of the Senate to Fully Promote, Support, and Enhance the Philippines-Israel Relations, a Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association be Established

July 24, 2018

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 114

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE TO FULLY PROMOTE, SUPPORT, AND ENHANCE THE PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL RELATIONS, A PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION BE ESTABLISHED

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution states, "the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice";

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 7 of the same Constitution states, "the State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination";

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as "Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991," mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to implement the three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, as follows: (1) Preservation and enhancement of national security; (2) Promotion and attainment of economic security; and (3) Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas;

WHEREAS, Philippines-Israel relations predate the establishment of the State of Israel. Under the Commonwealth Government by President Manuel L. Quezon, the Philippines established an "open door policy" offering refuge to fleeing Jews from the Holocaust in Europe. Around 1,300 European Jews relocated to Manila and stayed until the Japanese occupation;

WHEREAS, in 1947, the Philippines was one of the thirty-three (33) countries to vote in favor of the United Nations Resolution 181 that outlined the partition of Palestine and created the State of Israel;

WHEREAS, on 9 August 1957, the Philippines and Israel formally established diplomatic relations; and, the two nations have over sixty (60) years of diplomatic relations and have forged seventeen (17) bilateral agreements in several fields, such as: air services, agriculture, tourism, double taxation, posts and telecommunications, customs and logistics, and defense industry;

WHEREAS, Israel is a developed country, known for its high-technology designs and manufactures, and is considered as the start-up nation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even announced that it aspires to be the world's fifteenth (15th) largest economy by 2025;

WHEREAS, an increasing number of Filipino agricultural students, under the Granot Agrostudies programs, are now learning new techniques in farming, in Israel. As of 11 December 2017, a total of 3,315 Filipino student-trainees have graduated from the Program;

WHEREAS, Israel's diverse market economy which includes agricultural, service, tourism, high-technology, textiles, and diamond sectors will support the Philippines' fast-growing economy;

WHEREAS, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III invited the Knesset Parliament to send a delegation to visit the Philippines to promote closer relations between the two nations, in a letter dated 05 January 2017;

WHEREAS, on 24 April 2018, Israel's Knesset Deputy Speaker Nava Boker, by mutual agreement with Sen. Richard J. Gordon, agreed to establish the Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association;

WHEREAS, as of 28 May 2018, numerous Senators have agreed to become members of the Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association;

WHEREAS, the formation of the Parliamentary Friendship Association will pave the way for regular discussions on matters of mutual interest and areas of mutual cooperation between the two nations;

WHEREAS, strengthened relations between the two nations will promote closer relations between Filipino and Israeli parliamentarians and, at the same time, help sustain the robust bilateral ties and strategic relationship between the two nations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, as it is hereby resolved, Expressing the sense of the Senate of the Philippines to fully promote, support, and enhance the Philippines-Israel Relations, a Philippines-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association be established.

Adopted,

(SGD.) VICENTE C. SOTTO IIIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on July 24, 2018.

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICASecretary of the Senate