Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 139)
Proclamation No. 139 officially made public the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and its Protocol, thus obligating the Philippines and its citizens to observe and fulfill its provisions in good faith.
The treaty was signed in Manila on September 8, 1954.
The original signatories were Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.
The Senate of the Philippines concurred with the President's making of the Treaty through Senate Resolution No. 32 adopted on February 14, 1955, in accordance with the Constitution of the Philippines.
The Treaty enters into force between the States that have ratified it as soon as the majority of signatories deposit their instruments of ratification with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
They entered into full force and effect on February 19, 1955, at 11:00 a.m. Standard Time 120 East Meridian.
The instruments of ratification, deposited by the signatory States with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, signify official approval and make the Treaty effective between the ratifying States.
Ramon Magsaysay was the President of the Philippines when Proclamation No. 139 was issued.
The publication of the Treaty binds the Republic of the Philippines and its citizens to observe and fulfill the Treaty and its articles and clauses in good faith.
The Executive Secretary, Fred Ruiz Castro, attested the Proclamation on behalf of the President.