Not yet time for Obama, Noy to discuss EDCA – Miriam

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino should not discuss the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to be held in Manila next week, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said yesterday.

Santiago said legal issues on EDCA should be settled first.

 “Let’s just say that this is not the best time for our President to deal with this matter because apparently the President’s advisers differ from the opinion of the general public, especially the students in the universities,” Santiago said.

 “This would have to be ironed out, if possible among the Filipino people themselves,” she added.

The EDCA is among the issues that would be taken up during the bilateral meeting between Aquino and Obama, US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said the other day. 

Two petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the constitutionality of the EDCA, which was signed last year. Earlier this week, the Senate also approved a resolution declaring the EDCA a treaty that needs the chamber’s concurrence.

Under the Constitution, all treaties need the concurrence of the Senate before it can take effect. The executive department has taken the position that the EDCA is only an executive agreement.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin signed the EDCA on behalf of the Philippine government while Goldberg signed for the US side.

Santiago said the Constitution provides that foreign bases, troops or facilities would not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate.

She said the EDCA, which deals with foreign bases, troops and facilities, is clearly a treaty.