Drilon clarifies: No Senate caucus on EDCA

Senate President Franklin Drilon. PRIB FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Franklin Drilon clarified that there won’t be a caucus to tackle the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) Monday.

“There is no caucus, a resolution will be filed in the Senate asking for a review of this EDCA and this will be referred to the appropriate committee which will conduct hearings,” Drilon said in briefing after bilateral consultations with the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL).

“[The committee can] ask Malacañang to come before the Senate and justify this agreement in terms of our constitution and our national interest. It will be principally the committee who will conduct hearings,” he said.

The EDCA’s constitutionality is being questioned by militant groups, saying it violates the provisions against entry of foreign troops in the country.

The agreement was signed a few hours before United States President Barack Obama’s state visit into the country after several rounds of negotiations between the Philippines and the US.

Malacañang has previously stated that the agreement was an executive agreement and does not need the concurrence of the Senate.

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