From Rappler (Apr 13): Lawmakers threaten to bring new PH, US military deal to SC
The Philippine panel on April 11 announced it was ready to submit to Malacañang the draft of the new military agreement with the US following the conclusion of Round 8 of talks
Militant lawmakers are threatening to go to the Supreme Court (SC) to block the new military agreement that thePhilippines is negotiating with the US
http://www.rappler.com/nation/55361-supreme-court-military-deal
The Philippine panel on April 11 announced it was ready to submit to Malacañang the draft of the new military agreement with the US following the conclusion of Round 8 of talks
Militant lawmakers are threatening to go to the Supreme Court (SC) to block the new military agreement that the
Titled Enhanced Defense Cooperation, the agreement will allow increased presence of American troops in the Philippines
“This early we are already studying the option of questioning the AEDC at the Supreme Court because it is a clear violation of our Constitution particularly Sections 3 and 7 and possibly Section 8 of Article II. We are also of the position that this is not a mere executive agreement but a treaty and should be scrutinized by the Senate and the House of Representatives,” said Bayan Muna Repsentative Neri Colmenares.
He said the agreement "will practically bring back US military bases in the Philippines
The Philippine panel on Friday, April 11 announced it is ready to submit to Malacañang the draft of the new military agreement with the US US
Philippine panel chairman Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino also maintained that the agreement doesn't need Senate ratification because it is only an implementation of existing treaties with the US
In 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty that would have extended the stay of American troops in US military bases here. This ended American military presence in the country and shut down key US bases in Clark in Pampanga and Subic in Zambales.
Talks for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation began in August 2012 upon the request of the Philippines , which is counting on US help to respond to the growing tension in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea ). Batino said the agreement "would provide significant benefits to the Philippines
Colmenares argued: “Even if they say that “key provisions and modalities of the AEDC would reflect, among others, full respect for Philippine sovereignty, nonpermanence of US troops and no US military basing in the Philippines and a prohibition against nuclear weapons, we all know that these can be circumvented by the fact that in reality it is the US government is the one calling the shots and not the Aquino administration.”
Fellow Bayan Muna representative Carlos Isagani Zarate is not convinced by the Philippines panel's assurances that the US
"There is a supposed prohibition of nuclear weapons, but that the US maintains a neither confirm or deny policy if their ships or planes carry nuclear weapons aside from this the US military can still bring other types of weapons of mass destruction that would make us a prime target of US enemies. This is a clear threat to our country’s safety and security,” he said.
The panels did not discuss if the Philippine troops will be allowed boarding of US ships but "appropriate officials," meaning Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin or his designated officials, can access the facilities US will build inside the bases.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/55361-supreme-court-military-deal