Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday countered accusations that the country is beholden to the United States amid the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
“You can never describe the Aquino administration as beholden to the United States,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a televised press conference.
He said the government was not beholden nor will it be beholden now that the EDCA, which allows US forces’ access to Philippine military facilities.
“There is a recognition that both countries will mutually benefit from this agreement,” Lacierda pointed out.
The Philippines and the US signed the EDCA on Monday, hours before US President Barack Obama arrived in Manila for his first state visit to the country.
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