The Senate asked the Supreme Court yesterday to compel the Office of the President to submit to the Senate for concurrence the government’s termination or withdrawal of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.
In a petition for declaratory relief and mandamus, the Senate – led by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III – told the SC that the VFA is a treaty that was concurred into by at least two-thirds of all Senate members on May 27, 1999.
It pointed out that the VFA “is valid and effective in two respects – as a bilateral treaty governing rights and obligations between two states – Philippines and US, and as a domestic legislation having the force and effect of law.”
Thus, in its petition, the Senate pleaded the SC to compel “the Executive branch, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Department of Foreign Affairs, to forthwith submit the question of the Philippines’ termination or the President’s withdrawal of the VFA for Senate’s concurrence.”
Aside from Sotto, those who filed the petition were Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, and Senators Richard J. Gordon and Panfilo M. Lacson.
Named respondents were Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (Rey Panaligan)
