Senate adopts resolution expressing condolences over death of Queen Elizabeth II

The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution expressing its sympathies and condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace on September 8 announced Elizabeth's death in her Scottish summer residence following nearly a year of failing health. She was 96.

In his sponsorship speech on Senate Resolution No. 198, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Elizabeth played a great role, especially because she put aside her personal life to serve the people.

“She assured in a golden age of the monarchy and became a constant figure of stability for her people. Her leadership was instrumental in uplifting national morale even in socio-economic and political upheaval,” Zubiri said.

“In her seven decades of a monarch she also saw the strengthening of their foreign affairs including of course bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the Philippines, particularly with regards to peace and development, disaster and relief management, trade investments and climate action and help,” he added.

Among the earliest agreements entered into by the Philippines and the United Kingdom during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign are the “Agreement on Air Services (relating to designation of routes)” and “PH-UK Agreement on Air Services Between and Beyond Their Territories.”

The two agreements were signed and entered into force on January 31, 1955.

Likewise, the two countries on December 11, 2012 entered into a bilateral relationship also known as the Philippines-United Kingdom Joint Plan of Action (JPA).

JPA serves as a framework for bilateral cooperation covering five key areas: political, economic, consular and law enforcement, cultural, and regional and global issues.

“The relations between the two countries have been marked by keener British interest in Philippine economic and political developments, as shown by the significant increase in the volume of trade and investments, including the hiring of thousands of Filipino workers to fill critical gaps in the delivery of health services as exemplified by the influx of Filipino nurses as an essential part of the United Kingdom National Health Service,” the resolution said.

As for the foreign affairs, Zubiri said the UK remained a vital partner in the Mindanao peace process as the active founding member of the International Contact Group that provided advice to both the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels.

“The Philippines and the United Kingdom also share strong ties in education and both have manifested convergent interests in global and regional matters, particularly in counter-terrorism, interfaith work, climate change, disaster management and a strong adherence to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law,” the resolution read.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom provided £77,000,000.00 of humanitarian aid when Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013.

In addition, the British public donated a further £85,000,000.00 through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal.

At the height of the pandemic, the United Kingdom also donated 415,040 and 3,191,040 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

“The passing away of a true ally, a great monarch and head of state, and an outstanding world leader whose invaluable support and contribution to the Philippines will forever be remembered,” the resolution said.

“A copy of this Resolution be furnished to the bereaved family of the late Queen Elizabeth II and to the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Philippines,” it added.—LDF, GMA News