Senate concurs with ratification of 3 extradition treaties

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has given its concurrence to the ratification of three extradition treaties with Spain, the United Kingdom and India.

After one hearing on the three resolutions for the respective treaties, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, as chairman of the committee on foreign relations, sponsored the measures in plenary yesterday and immediately sought the concurrence of her colleagues.

Given the importance of the three treaties, the Senate suspended its rule requiring a three-day period in between the second and third reading of bills so that a vote could be taken for the concurrence of the three treaties.

Philippine law requires the Senate to give its concurrence to the ratification of treaties before these could take effect.

A vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate is needed for concurrence to treaties and in the case of the three extradition treaties, all 17 senators gave their support to all three.

Santiago warned officials facing plunder charges in the country that they now have fewer places to hide if ever they decide to flee now that the three extradition treaties have taken effect.

“The treaties are applicable to offenses committed prior to the entry into force of the treaties. This means that we can extradite the plunder criminals if they flee to the UK, Spain or India, even though the plunder was committed before the effectivity of the extradition treaties,” Santiago said.

“The extradition treaties with India, Spain and the United Kingdom will strengthen our bilateral relations with them, particularly in our common fight against criminality, our common goal of protecting our national security, and our common quest for justice,” she added.

Before India, the UK and Spain, the Philippines has existing extradition treaties with Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Micronesia, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States.

According to Santiago, the Philippines has proposed or pending extradition negotiations with 12 other countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Peru, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.

“Corrupt politicians and their partners-in-crime have a tendency to flee to other countries to escape the long arm of justice. We are making sure that arm is longer and stronger. They should have nowhere to hide,” she said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the extradition treaties with Spain, UK and India are essential in the government’s efforts against criminality, particularly child trafficking and prostitution.

Drilon said the Senate failed to give its concurrence to the three treaties during the 15th Congress due to a lack of quorum when they were taken up.

He said the treaties help the country in legally dealing with foreign individuals allegedly involved in child prostitution cases.

Drilon cited the grave criminal cases involving foreigners operating in the country, saying “these should compel local authorities and their foreign counterparts to swift, decisive action.”

“With the extradition treaties with Britain, Spain and India in place, we would be able to fully coordinate with their administrative and security agencies, resulting in the much more efficient rule of law against criminals,” he said.