Go says Duterte has authority to terminate VFA

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go believes President Duterte has authority to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US. ?

“Let’s wait for the President’s decision. He has the authority… since he is the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy,” Go said yesterday while visiting fire victims in Port Area, Manila. ?

Go also expressed his support to the President on whatever his decision may be.

Go said he respects the opinion of other senators who believe that the Senate should first review the termination of the VFA. ?

“We”re a separate branch of government and it is the right of each senator to express our views, their views,” Go said.?

Asked if he would vote for the Senate resolution asking the President to reconsider his decision, Go answered in a previous interview that the law should be followed: if the law says the President can terminate the VFA without concurrence of Congress, that should be respected. ?

Asked if he personally agrees with the termination of the country’s VFA with the US, Go said that the US senators who meddle in the Philippines’ domestic affairs should be taught a lesson. He also asked them to “mind their own business.”?

Go said the US senators should thoroughly inform themselves of the facts of the case of Sen. Leila de Lima, reiterating that there is no persecution in her detention. ?

The Supreme Court in June 2018 affirmed its earlier ruling upholding the legality of the arrest of De Lima on drug charges.?

Go also stressed that US senators have no right to interfere in Philippine domestic affairs.