MANILA: Saudi Ambassador to Manila Abdullah Hassan cited the growing ties between the Kingdom and the Philippines during a speech on the occasion of the 83rd Saudi National Day on Monday.

In a gathering at a hotel in Manila, Hassan welcomed the attendees and spoke of Saudi Arabia’s history and on the leadership of its founder King Abdulaziz and on to the present day under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

Present during the event were dignitaries from various countries, Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario, who also praised the depth of relations between the two countries.

The Philippines gets most of its oil supply from Saudi Arabia, which employs more than a million Filipino workers, from household workers to professionals.