Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT DECLARING A 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 1937, 
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. They were treated with 
such compassion and kindness that some even permanently relocated in 
the Philippines. 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 
July 21, 2022
4:21 am
2216


 
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. 
 
On August 9, 1957, the said foundation was further reinforced when 
the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Israel formally established 
their bilateral diplomatic 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 between the two countries, it is just proper to 
formalize commemorating this extraordinary tie by designating a 
Philippines-Israel Friendship Day. Hence, given the foregoing, the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT DECLARING A PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP DAY 
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
1 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the 
4 
policy of the State to: 
5 
1. Strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and countries
6 
with which it has shared history, values, and traditions; and
7 
2. Commemorate notable acts of bravery and compassion of the
8 
Filipino people.
9 
10 
SECTION 2. Philippines-Israel Friendship Day. – The ninth of
11 
August of each year is hereby declared as Philippines-Israel Friendship 
12 
Day to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between 
13 
the Philippines and Israel, birthed from the signing of Proclamation No.173 
14 
by President Manuel L. Quezon which called on all Filipinos to welcome 
15 
and help Jewish refugees who were escaping the horrors of Holocaust. 
16 
17 
2216


 
SECTION 3. Implementation. – The National Historical Institute 
1 
(NHI) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act. For this 
2 
purpose, it shall formulate and issue the implementing rules and 
3 
regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act. 
4 
 
5 
The Department of Foreign Affairs is hereby mandated to 
6 
spearhead the conduct of activities in celebration of the Philippines-Israel 
7 
Friendship Day. 
8 
 
9 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act or 
10 
any part thereof shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
11 
provisions, as far as they are separable, shall remain in force and effect. 
12 
 
13 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders and issuances, 
14 
rules and regulations and/or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
15 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
16 
 
17 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
18 
days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers 
19 
of general circulation. 
20 
 
21 
Approved, 
22