Pio Lorenzo Batino AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—With a second petition questioning the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, its panel said Thursday that “every Filipino” could raise their queries about the bilateral agreement.
In a statement, the Edca panel, which Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino leads, said that “it is the right of every Filipino to raise questions and seek clarification on the Edca.”
Petitioners Makabayan bloc marched to the Supreme Court Tuesday to declare Edca unconstitutional.
They said that Edca is a “lopsided” agreement wherein the American troops would make the Philippine bases their stomping ground.
It was the second petition against the agreement after former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada, two lawmakers who voted to remove American bases in the country 24 years ago, filed their petition Monday.
Despite the second petition, the Edca panel saw it as an opportunity to quell the doubts about the agreement which was signed on April 28, the arrival of United States President Barack Obama in the Philippines.
“We welcome the filing of the cases and see this as an opportunity to allay the apprehension of those who doubt the Edca’s constitutionality,” the panel said.
Still, the panel is confident that the Edca would pass the scrutiny of the Supreme Court.
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