Soe sie,

oN

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6053

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT DECLARING FEBRUARY 26
EVERY YEAR AS SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY
IN CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP DAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bilateral relationship between the Republic of the Philippines and the State
of Israel is deeply rooted in a sentimental history. In the late 1930s, President Manuel
L. Quezon authorized the admission of up to one thousand three hundred (1,300)
Jewish refugees being persecuted in the Nazi regime, in what was known as the Open
Door Policy. The Israelis who were suffering persecution and were brutally and
inhumanely treated during the Holocaust were provided homes in the Philippines
where they were respected and accepted by the community.

It has to be noted, however, that while President Quezon was the one who
approved of the Israelis’ entry to the country, it was the Filipino people who welcomed
and treated them as their fellow countrymen. They were treated with such compassion
and kindness that some even permanently relocated in the country. It was such a


.
moral victory, not only for the Israelis who were saved, but also for the Filipinos who
emerged as real-life heroes.

On November 29, 1947, thirty three (33) countries voted in favor of the United
Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, to create the State of Israel. These
countries are Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Byelorussian SSR, Canada, Costa
Rica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala,
Haiti, Iceland, Liberia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, South Africa, Ukrainian SSR.
United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Uruguay, and
Venezuela. Among this thirty-three, the Philippines was the ONLY Asian country who
casted a favorable vote on the creation of the State of Israel.

These, and other significant events, became the foundation of a historical
connection between the two countries. On February 26, 1958, the said foundation was
further reinforced when the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Israel! signed
the Treaty of Friendship, formally establishing their bilateral relations, which led to the
opening of an Israeli Embassy in Manila and a Filipino Embassy in Tel Aviv in 1962.
In 1997, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which
formalized a bilateral political dialogue between the countries’ foreign ministries. Since
then, the desire towards further cooperation and expansion of the partnership of the
two countries has been stronger.

In fact, when typhoon Haiyan (locally know as Yolanda) struck the Philippines,
and left thousands of Filipinos dead, injured, and homeless, the State of Israel
mobilized medical professionals, set up field hospitals, donated medicine and provided
relief goods to those who were affected. Apart from this generosity, in the same way
that the Philippines has opened its doors to the Israelis nearly 90 years ago, Israel has
given visa-free access to Filipino tourists.

Most significantly, the State of Israel built an Open Doors Monument in Lezion
Memorial Park just off Tel Aviv in 2009 to thank President Manuel L. Quezon and the
Filipino people for the Open Doors Policy which gave Israeli refugees not only new
homes but also the opportunity to begin new lives.


Therefore, acknowledging the mutual desire towards greater cooperation and
expansion of partnership founded on a deep, historical, and moral friendship of the

Philippines and Israel, we ought to formalize commemorating this extraordinary tie of
‘the two nations.

Hence, given the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

find
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6053
House Bill No.

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT DECLARING FEBRUARY 26
EVERY YEAR AS SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY
IN CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
1. Strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and countries with which it
has shared history, values, and traditions
2. Commemorate notable acts of bravery and compassion by the Filipino people
and the Philippine government to remind the Filipinos of today of our values as
anation

SECTION 2. Philippines-Israel Friendship Day. — On February 26, 1958, a Treaty
of Friendship was signed by and between the Republic of the Philippines and the State
of Israel, establishing their full diplomatic relations. To mark this significant occasion,
there is a need to declare the said day a national holiday to commemorate both
countries’ mutual desire to strengthen their bond of peace and tie of friendship.


The twenty-sixth (26) of February every year is hereby declared as Philippines-
Israel Friendship Day to commemorate the Treaty of Friendship signed by and
between the Philippines and Israel. It is hereby declared as a national special
working holiday.

SECTION 3. Implementation. — The National Historical Institute (NHI) shall be
responsible for the implementation of this Act. For this purpose, it shall formulate and
issue the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or any part thereof
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions, as far as they are
separable, shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders and issuances, rules and
regulations and/or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,