DFA: Laws to celebrate friendship days with other countries not necessary

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said that the celebration of "Friendship Days" with other countries does not necessitate legislation.

This position was made by DFA Assistant Secretary Adrian Candolada during the Senate foreign relations hearing on 10 bills on Philippine Friendship Day Bills.

"Our position is that it is not necessary through legislation," Candolada said, adding that the DFA is not aware of any laws in other countries on such celebrations.

Candolada shared that these proposals can be done through executive orders and that the DFA and foreign posts are already conducting "milestone" year celebrations with other countries.  

The DFA official also mentioned the cost of legislating such, saying this would entail regular appropriations under the annual national budget of the country.

Further, Candolada noted the political implications of legislating such.

"We have also to take into consideration the political sensitivity of this proposal. Of course, other countries would ask why we are doing this to certain countries, not to others. So there is a political sensitivity component," the DFA official said.

Among the 10 bills that were tackled by the Senate panel are the proposals by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senator JV Ejercito to legislate the Philippine Friendship Day.

However, Senator Imee Marcos, the chairperson of the Senate panel, said this might not be the "best time to pass such" considering the ongoing war in Israel.

Marcos also pointed out that if Congress passes these "friendship day" bills for other countries, the Philippines must prioritize ASEAN countries.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, one of the authors of the bills that were tackled, refuted the position of the DFA that there is no need for such laws because other states do not legislate the same.

He asked the DFA to reconsider, noting that his bills are very specific with regard to the years that the Philippines is supposed to celebrate its relations with other countries.

A technical working group was tasked to consolidate and refine the bills on Philippine Friendship Days. — BM, GMA Integrated News