Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 112)
The main purpose of Proclamation No. 112 is to make public the Treaty of Friendship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Spanish State, which aims to strengthen the bond of friendship based on historic and cultural ties.
The Treaty of Friendship was signed on September 27, 1947, in Manila by the respective plenipotentiaries of the two governments.
The Philippine Senate concurred with the Treaty of Friendship in Resolution No. 47 adopted on April 14, 1948, with a reservation ensuring that the Treaty would not affect, alter, amend, or repeal any existing constitutional provisions, statutes, or laws regarding aliens' rights in the Philippines.
The Senate's reservation was that nothing in the Treaty should be construed as affecting, altering, amending, or repealing constitutional provisions or laws that prohibit aliens or limit their rights to acquire or dispose of property, establish schools, reside, travel, or engage in trade and other pursuits in the Philippines.
The Treaty of Friendship entered into force on the exchange of instruments of ratification on July 25, 1948.
Elpidio Quirino, then President of the Philippines, caused the Treaty and related documents to be made public.
The Treaty is subject to an exchange of notes dated April 7 and April 12, 1948, between the Philippines and the Spanish State to place the Philippine Government’s interpretation of the Treaty.
The rights referenced include acquiring, possessing, disposing of property, establishing and maintaining schools, residing and traveling, and engaging in trade, industry, and other pursuits as regulated by Philippine laws.
Teodoro Evangelista was the Executive Secretary who signed the proclamation by the President.
Making the Treaty public informs the citizens and ensures that every article and clause is observed and fulfilled in good faith by the Republic of the Philippines and its citizens.