PINAGTIBAY ng Kamara de Representantes ang isang resolusyon upang lalong mapatatag ang ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Japan sa pamamagitan ng Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society at nagtalaga ng mga opisyal at miyembro ng organisasyon.

Sa sesyon nitong Lunes, pinagtibay ng mga mambabatas ang House Resolution (HR) No. 1146, na akda nina Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, at Tingog Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez at Jude A. Acidre.

“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,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez, pinuno ng 312-member na kapulungan

Nakasaad sa resolusyon na noong July 23, 1956, naging epektibo ang San Francisco Peace Treaty at Japan-Philippines Reparations Agreement na siyang panimula sa diplomatic relations ng dalawang bansa.

“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,” saad sa HR No. 1146.

“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,” dagdag pa sa resolusyon.

Salig din sa resolusyon, itinalaga bilang opisyal at miyembro ng friendship society, sina Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona G. Labadlabad bilang Chairperson, Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel J. Arenas bilang Vice-chairperson; at bilang mga miyembro naman sina 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 at Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte, Jr.

Tinukoy din sa resolusyon na ang friendship society ay nakabatay sa “genuine friendship and mutual trust and respect,” na siyang sandigan ng magandang relasyon ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas at Japan.

“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,” paglalahad sa resolusyon

“As members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the World Scout Parliamentary Union, and the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, the bilateral and international cooperation between the Philippines and Japan intensified and led to more purposeful exchanges of best practices and experiences in promoting sustainable development goals and other mutual concerns and interests,” sabi pa sa HR No. 1146

Nakalahad din sa resolusyon na sa pag-upo ng Japan bilang dialogue partner sa Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, ang espesyal na relasyon ng Pilipinas at Japan ay lalo pang yayabong at ang regional cooperation para sa pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan, pagkakasunduan at kolaborasyon sa pagitan ng mamamayan ng ASEAN ay mapapatatag.

“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,” saad sa resolusyon.