Fate of VFA still hangs

President Duterte has yet to decide on the fate of the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, more than a year after ordering its abrogation and then imposing certain conditions for him to keep the deal. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Mr. Duterte was still mulling over the matter. “The last thing he said to me is he has not yet made a decision on the VFA. He is still thinking about it,” Roque told a press briefing. “Let us the wait for his decision,” he added. The President ordered the termination of the VFA in February last year after the United States canceled the visa of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the President’s longtime ally.

—Leila B. Salaverria