A rotational phase difference of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft in a variable valve timing mechanism is controlled by an operation of an oil control valve. That is, in the oil control valve, there is outputted an operational signal which is defined by adding a feedback correction amount corresponding to a difference between an actual value and a target value of the rotational phase difference, to a holding learning value as the operational signal for holding the rotational phase difference. The holding learning value is altered only by a specified value on condition that the operational signal for holding the rotational phase difference is assumed to change.