[L-R] Amb. Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Hon. Aoyama Yamato, Hon. Miyauchi Hideko, Hon. Otsuka Taku, Hon. Okuno Shinsuke, Hon. Moriyama Hiroshi, Senate President Migz Zubiri, Sen. Imee Marcos, Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Mark Villar, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Win Gatchalian, Amb. Mylene Garcia Albano.
Ni NOEL ABUEL
Pinagtibay ng Senado ang resolusyon na kumikilala sa magandang bilateral relations ng Pilipinas at ng Japan sa matagal na panahon.
Sa Resolution No. 703 na ipinanukala nina Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva at Minority Floor Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, pinagtibay nito ang “enduring bonds of friendship” sa pagitan ng pinakamataas na lehislatibong katawan ng Pilipinas at Japan kung saan pinarangalan ang 67 taong bilateral relations ng dalawang bansa sa maraming larangan tulad ng kalakalan at pamumuhunan, at pagtatanggol at seguridad, at iba pa.
Today, we honor the strong ties that bind our two countries, deeply rooted in mutual respect, regional cooperation and a profound appreciation of our entwined history. Japan is a true friend of the Philippines, and this resolution recognizes that very deep friendship,” ayon kay Zubiri.
Sa resolusyon, ang Japan, ang pangalawang pinakamalaking trading partner ng Pilipinas at kabilang sa pinakamahalagang bilateral economic partners ng bansa.
Sinasabing noong 2022, umabot sa $23.49 bilyon o humigit kumulang P1.29 trilyon ang gross trade scale ng dalawang bansa.
Nakasaad pa sa Resolution No. 703 ang pagkilala ng Senado sa National Diet of Japan partikular sa Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League (JPPFL) sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang pinuno nito na si Honorable Moriyama Hiroshi.
“The Philippine Senate and the National Diet of Japan enjoy robust inter-parliamentary ties, facilitated mainly through our Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians Association and the JPPFL, whose relations have been characterized by frank, substantial and open dialogue, [and] frequent exchanges of visits between Filipino and Japanese lawmakers …,” nakasaad sa resolusyon.
“These frequent exchanges with the JPPFL since its establishment in 1986 and their substantial discussions strengthen the deep cooperation between the two countries, which have included parliamentary support to continue funding development assistance to the Philippines …,” dagdag nito.
Kabilang sa sinasabing development aid ang suporta sa Mindanao Peace Process, donasyon ng emergency vehicles at bangka sa mga munisipalidad at Filipino communities na sinalanta ng nagdaang typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, at ang pagdami ng bilang ng mga mas maraming Filipino nurses sa Japan.
“As a Mindanaoan, I would like to express my thanks for the Japanese Parliament’s support for development aid to the Philippines, that has significantly improved the peace situation and the lives and welfare of our countrymen,” ayon pa kay Zubiri.
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