NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2590
J . a;
ot tijc C: ■ t • >
24 mar-6 PI :16
RECEiVtDB,
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
AN ACT
DECLARING THE 22nd OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS A 
SPECIAL DAY FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 
“PHILIPPINES - AUSTRALIA FRIENDSHIP DAY”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Republic of the Philippines and Commonwealth of Australia 
established formal diplomatic relations on May 22, 1946. Seventy- 
seven (77) years later, both countries recognize the importance of 
fostering friendship to promote mutual prosperity, and diplomatic 
cooperation.
Trade between the two countries yielded $4.1 billion in 2023, 
with around 40,000 Filipino workers employed by more than 300 
Australian companies.1 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 
also shared that it had garnered $1.53 billion in Australian investments 
to the Philippines from 12 business agreements signed by the 
stakeholders of the two nations.2
Moreover, the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area 
(AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
(RCEP) seek to benefit trade growth between the Philippines and 
Australia from a regional perspective.
1 https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/4/dti-garners-l-53-b-australian-investments-to-the-philippines
2 Ibid.


This bill seeks to dedicate May 22 as a special day to honor the 
long-standing relationship between the Republic of the Philippines and 
the Commonwealth of Australia.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly 
sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2590
2i.
ifM'irp of ll)t' ft'
24 mar-6 PI :16
m;cL. .. j:. 
/_____
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
4
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
AN ACT
DECLARING THE 22nd OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS A 
SPECIAL DAY FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE
“PHILIPPINES - AUSTRALIA FRIENDSHIP DAY”
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State 
to pursue an independent foreign policy in its relations with other 
States. It is also the policy of the State to put value to its existing 
bilateral relations with other States and to commemorate and celebrate 
these bilateral relations annually, and on their special occasions like the 
50th, 75th, and 100th year anniversaries of the said bilateral relations.
SEC. 2. Diplomatic Relations. - The Philippines and Australia 
established their diplomatic relations on May 22, 1946. Therefore, the 
22nd of May of every year is hereby declared as a Special Day for the 
commemoration of the “Philippines - Australia Friendship Day”.
SEC. 3. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Foreign 
Affairs (DFA) shall lead the Government in the commemoration and 
celebration of the “Philippines - Australia Friendship Day” annually, 
and on other special occasions such as the 100th year anniversary.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 
19
SEC 4. Special Day Status. - The Special Day status of the date 
herein referred to in Section 2 shall not affect its classification as either 
a working or a non-working day as determined by some other more 
specific law.
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current 
appropriations of the DFA. Thereafter, such amount necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,