Edca challenged in Supreme Court

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Two former senators who voted to kick the US military bases out of the Philippines in 1991 on Monday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

At the same time, former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and several other petitioners also asked the high court to issue a restraining order against Edca’s implementation.

Other petitioners include former UP President, Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr., Dean Pacifico A. Agabin, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, Atty. Steve Salonga who is a son of former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga, lawyers Harry Roque, Evalyn Ursua and Edre Olalia, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo and Dr. Roland Simbulan, and  former Representative Teddy Casiño of Bayan.

In a 61-page petition, petitioners said the government cannot use the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines in justifying Edca’s implementation because the MDT has already been superseded by the 1987 Constitution which renounces war as a national policy.

Petitioners added that Edca “also does not provide any substantial, long-term real benefit, much less distinct advantage or improvement in our position vis-à-vis the United States.”

The Edca was signed last April. Critics say its signing was fast-tracked in time for the Philippine visit of US President Barack Obama in April.

‘Edca a magnet for war,’ says lawmaker 

Santiago confident SC will declare EDCA unconstitutional