“This is an unfair surprise on the Philippine Senate which, under the Constitution, shares the treaty-making power with the President,” Santiago said.
She added that the EDCA would damage the country’s ailing relations with China, with whom the Philippines has a dispute with over territories in the West Philippine Sea.
“Definitely the new agreement, whatever it may contain will further antagonize China,” said Santiago.
Former Senator Joker Arroyo shared Santiago’s appreciation of the EDCA signing.
“No one, but no one was consulted about its constitutionality or participated in its preparation. It was exclusively Malacañang directed,” Arroyo said.
He added that the country gained nothing in the said agreement.
“We rushed to sign the EDCA as a gift to President [Barack] Obama, signed by our Defense Secretary and the US Ambassador that would allow more American troops in the Philippines,” Arroyo said.
But Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario disagreed and said the Philippines gained something from the agreement of both countries.
In a statement on the EDCA signing, Del Rosario said the “partnership attaches great importance in enhancing our individual and collective self-defense capabilities, strengthening maritime security and maritime domain awareness, and improving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacities.”
In Article 11 of EDCA, any problem between the two countries that may happen during the ten year agreement cannot be escalated to a local or international court without consent from both parties.
Additionally, US troops will be allowed in designated places without paying rent though they will still be subjected to pay for electricity, water and other utility bills they incur during their stay with no tax imposed.
According to the report, the Philippines also allowed America to open their own telecommunications system in the country.
For the equipment that US troops will bring, it will be exclusive for their troops and will remain their property.
But permanent buildings constructed in the country shall become Philippine property but will be used by American forces until no longer required by the US.
The EDCA was finalized between the two allies before President Obama’s state visit to the Philippines which was part of his week-long, four-nation tour in Asia. — Andrei Medina/DVM, GMA News
