Senate’s petition to SC on VFA abrogation to benefit future senators — Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate’s petition, which aims to contest the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, will also benefit future senators, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Saturday.

The Senate will file a petition before the Supreme Court to question the scrapping of VFA without concurrence of the upper chamber and to determine if the Senate’s decision is necessary to discontinue a treaty or international agreement, Lacson explained.

“Para na rin ito sa future generation of senators na maliwanagan na, ano ba ang role ng Senate under the Constitution sa pag-withdraw,” the senator said over DWIZ.

(The petition will also enlighten future generation of senators on the role of Senate  on the withdrawal of treaties under the Constitution)

The Senate’s petition will be drafted by Senate President Vicente Sotto III which is expected to be filed at the High Court next week.

Earlier, Sotto said a majority of members of the Senate are not in favor of scrapping the 1999 VFA with the U.S.

Lacson said the document on the termination of VFA has already signed. The official termination of the agreement which allows the coordination of defense forces of the Philippines and the U.S. in training programs takes effect on Aug. 9.

Edited by MUF