MANILA, Philippines -- Australia has asked the Philippine Senate to ratify within the first half of 2008 the defense pact between the two countries allowing for joint training, education, and exercises for their military personnel.

At Tuesday night's annual meeting with journalists, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely said: "One of the things we're hopeful for is that during the first half of the year, the Philippine Senate will ratify the Status of Forces Agreement."

The SOFA, which was signed May 2007 during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's trip Down Under, was ratified by the Australian Parliament in September 2007, the ambassador said.

"(The Australian Parliament's ratification) is a sign of (Australia's) trust and confidence in the Philippines as a defense partner. We hope that the Philippines will reciprocate that trust and confidence by ratifying the SOFA during the first half of 2008," Hely said.

The ambassador acknowledged that the Senate was busy with its many legislative and oversight functions, including the debates on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.

"We recognize that the Philippine Senate has a lot on its plate, including JPEPA...and it's not easy to find time...but we hope that it can look at the SOFA in a positive, quick fashion," he said.

The SOFA will be the second defense pact for the Philippines after the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.

Hely said the SOFA was a "non-controversial good document."