Enhanced defense deal tops Senate agenda

MANILA, Philippines - The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) would be on top of the agenda when senators hold a caucus soon.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said he expects EDCA to be on top of the agenda during the caucus because of the different views the senators have expressed about the agreement.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he expects a number of resolutions to be filed seeking a review of   EDCA.

“The appropriate committee will conduct hearings on this and will ask Malacañang to come before the Senate and justify this agreement in terms of our Constitution and our national interest,” he said. “It will be principally the committee who will conduct the hearings.”   Drilon said the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law would not yet be taken up because it has not been submitted  to Congress.

“What I know is that the chief presidential legal counsel is reviewing the draft proposal of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission,” he said. “We have not received it at this point. As for the deadline, there is not too much delay and I am confident that we will meet our self-imposed deadline.” 

Congress has imposed a deadline of yearend to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Cayetano said the caucus could also tackle calls to organize the Senate ethics committee so it could take up the cases of the three senators accused of plunder.

He would abide by what the majority of the senators would decide regarding the conduct of hearings by the ethics committee, he added.

However, Cayetano said he would rather have the committee of the whole assume jurisdiction over the cases of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy  Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.

Hearings of the committee on ethics are not open to the public and usually drag on, he added.

Cayetano said the process with the committee of the whole would be more transparent.

Discussions would most likely deal with possible disciplinary action against the three senators,   including expulsion, he added. 

Binay backs EDCA

Vice President Jejomar Binay backed EDCA for upgrading the country’s security platforms.

“Through the EDCA, we have effectively upgraded our own security platform, without shifting a significant portion of our limited resources to support an arms race and procure weapons systems that exceed our normal defense requirements,” he said. Speaking at a forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Binay said stronger US military presence in the country will give a certain level of peace among businessmen and the business environment.

“It enables us to focus better on developing a solid economic base to combat poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and disease,” he said.            

“A stronger American military presence in the Philippines and greater interoperability between our respective armed forces dramatically increases our individual and collective defense capabilities, providing a dramatic deterrent against external aggression.” 

Binay said he has always adhered to a peaceful solution to the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.            

“We have always believed and will continue to hold ourselves to the principle that the future of mankind lies not in conflict nor war, but in dialogue, cooperation, development and peace,” he said.            

Binay said his support for EDCA does not reflect a freezing of ties with China.             

“In the end, trade, as well as the deep filial ties that bind our peoples, will prevail over the issues of territory and boundaries that are currently threatening our relationship,” he said. 

Details on EDCA sought

Two members of the House of Representatives are seeking a briefing from the Department  of National Defense (DND) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the details and implications of EDCA.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon said Philippine officials consulted him during the negotiations on the EDCA, but that lawmakers need to clarify some issues regarding the agreement.  

“We want to hear directly their answers to our questions,” he said. “We also want to know if there are appropriations needed to implement the EDCA, which is the responsibility of the House.”   

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the review of the EDCA will top the agenda of the independent bloc in the coming weeks. 

“Only a thorough discussion on the EDCA can answer all these questions and stop whatever disinformation schemes are being implemented by any self-interest groups,” he said.

A lot of questions have been raised, and continue to be raised, by various sectors on   EDCA like the number of US troops to be assigned, and the constitutionality of the agreement, Romualdez said. 

At the Balikatan opening rites yesterday, Biazon, House defense committee chairman, endorsed EDCA.   

“I definitely support this agreement because as chairman of the defense committee, I am not only representing interest of the people in Muntinlupa,” he said. “I am representing an interest, national in scope, and that is security of this country.”  

Biazon, a retired Armed Force chief, said his differing view, compared to other lawmakers, is borne out of an urgent security need to secure and defend Philippine territory.

“The concern of the Senate is the constitutionality of the agreement, in reference to the power of the Senate to ratify any agreement,” he said.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo  Romero, Jaime Laude