The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to improve parliamentary collaboration between the Philippines and Japan through the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians' Friendship Society.
The parliament endorsed House Resolution 1146 during Monday's plenary session, which also named the officers and members of the friendship society.
The resolution's author, Speaker Martin Romualdez, stated that 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."
According to the resolution, the organization's chairwoman will be Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona Labadlabad and Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas will serve as vice chairperson. Deputy Speakers Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Isidro Ungab, Roberto Puno, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Camille Villar, Raymond Democrito Mendoza, Ralph Recto, Vincent Frasco, and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos are among those named as members.
The resolution stated that the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians' Friendship Society was established on November 13, 1987, with the adoption of House Resolution No. 14, and that the friendship society strengthened inter-parliamentary dialogue and enhanced beneficial ties between the Houses of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines and Japan.
It went on to say that the friendship society is founded on "true friendship and mutual trust and respect" and that the relationship between the Philippine and Japanese governments has been enhanced.
It also stated that with Japan's accession 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 regional cooperation towards perpetual peace, everlasting amity, and collaboration among the peoples in ASEAN is enhanced.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives led by Romualdez enthusiastically welcomed members of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League (JPPFL) led by Chairman Hiroshi Moriyama in a courtesy call on Monday at the Batasan Complex.
Romualdez expressed optimism that the meeting will pave the way for deeper bilateral ties, robust economic collaboration, and fruitful legislative contacts.
He noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Japan earlier this year and had a constructive conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about increasing ties in commerce and industry, as well as defense and marine security, among other things.
Moriyama emphasized the need for inter-parliamentary exchanges to further bilateral relations.
He told the Speaker that Japan is actively promoting economic progress in the Philippines.
He also used the occasion to convey his condolences to Filipinos devastated by the recent typhoons.
Other House members present included Gonzales, Frasco, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Deputy Majority Leaders Antonio Albano and Julienne Baronda, Arenas, Labadlabad, and Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga. Mylene Garcia-Albano, the Philippine Ambassador to Japan, was also present.
Vice Chairman Shinsuke Okuno, Secretary General Taku Otsuka, Executive Director Hideki Miyauchi, and Deputy Secretary General Yamato Aoyama were among the JPPFL delegation.
Kazuhiko Koshikawa, the Japanese Ambassador to Manila, joined them.
During the plenary session presided over by Singson-Meehan, lawmakers formally acknowledged the JPPFL members.
