No need to ask SC on limit of Senate powers on treaties, says ‘Bato’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday said that asserting the need for Senate concurrence before a treaty can be terminated would be an “overreach,” pointing out that the Constitution is “very clear” on the limitation of its powers.

In an interview with reporters, Dela Rosa said he sees no need to ask the Supreme Court to rule whether or not concurrence of the body is necessary before scrapping treaties previously concurred in by the Senate.

This after the Senate adopted a resolution seeking clarification from the high court on the chamber’s role in treaty abrogation.

“I said I abstained my vote dahil nga nakikita ko personally na hindi ko na kailangang magtanong pa sa Supreme Court kung hanggang saan yung limitasyon ng power ng Senado dahil nga wala naman akong nakitang ambiguity dun sa Constitution, very clear naman yung pagkasulat ng Constitution na walang sinasabi doon na makialam dapat ang Senado dun sa abrogation ng treaty,” Dela Rosa said.

“Wala naman sinabi doon, so kaya bakit ko pa tanungin ang Supreme Court? Maybe there is ambiguity if you want to overreach doon sa power ng executive. Gusto mo gamitin yung rason ng ambigiuty para lang manghimasok ka sa powers ng ibang branch?” he added.

The Senate leadership’s planned petition before the SC follows the unilateral withdrawal of President Rodrigo Duterte from the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the US.

The cancellation of Dela Rosa’s 10-year multiple entry tourist US visa was the final trigger for the chief executive in scrapping the decades-long military accord.

EDV