US hails defense agreement ruling
The United States on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court decision ruling that the defense agreement signed by the US and the Philippines as constitutional, expressing its desire for the agreement’s immediate implementation.
“The US welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which will further strengthen the US-Philippine bilateral relationship,” the United States embassy in Manila said in a statement issued shortly after the Philippines’ high court voted 10-4 in favor of the agreement.
READ: Supreme Court upholds legality of Edca
The SC said the EDCA is an executive agreement and not a treaty that needs the ratification of the Senate.
The ruling on EDCA was timely as the tensions in the South China Sea with China’s test flights on one of its artificial islands continues to escalate.
READ: Anxiety over power play in South China Sea
“EDCA is a mutually beneficial agreement that will enhance our ability to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and help build capacity for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the US embassy said.
EDCA, which was signed during the state visit of US President Barack Obama in 2014, will allow the US rotational presence in the country.
Petitioners challenging its constitutionality said the government when its signed the agreement violated the Constitution which bans setting up foreign military bases and facilities without the concurrence of the Senate.
“We look forward to working closely with our Philippine partners on the implementation of this agreement,” the US embassy said.
The Philippines’ Foreign and defense secretaries Albert del Rosario and Voltaire Gazmin are today in the United States for a meeting with their counterparts US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in what was called as “2+2” in Washington D.C.
READ: PH, US to hold two-plus-two talks next week
The US and the Philippines are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues including defense and security cooperation and significant developments in the economic engagement of the two countries.
The agenda will also cover regional and global issues that impact on both countries, in particular, the recent developments in the South China Sea, the upcoming Special ASEAN-US Summit in California, and cooperation on climate change, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. CDG
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