MANILA, Philippines — Let the review of the Visiting Forces of Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States be done beyond “political noise.”
Senator Grace Poe said this Thursday as the Senate committee on foreign relations opened its hearings on the VFA.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier threatened to terminate the VFA after the U.S. had revoked the visa of his close ally, former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Duterte’s threat prompted the Senate to review the agreement.
“It is our Constitutional duty to uphold the principles of separation of powers especially checks and balances which gave rise to the need for Senate action on treaties. Hindi natin ito pribilehiyo lang. Tungkulin nating busisiin ang mga treaty na pinapasok at inaalisan ng Pilipinas.,” Poe said at the start of the hearing.
“In the fulfillment of this duty, we need to evaluate the Visiting Forces Agreement beyond the political noise and assess it on its own merit. Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada ng VFA, nakabuti ba sa atin ito?” she added.
Poe then recalled how the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago “passionately argued in favor of Philippine sovereignty” and the rights and dignity of its citizens.
But if the Philippines would withdraw from any bilateral agreement, Poe said, it should be done with basis.
“If we are to concur in any executive action, let it be ultimately for the interest of the people,” she added.