3rd impeach complaint vs. PNoy to be filed Thursday over EDCA

Several members of civil society groups are set to file a third impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday, this time over the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.

According to Gabriela party-list, the complaint will be filed by representatives from various civil society groups and some of the petitioners who questioned EDCA’s legality before the Supreme Court.

The complaint will be jointly endorsed by Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus and ACT-Teachers’ party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio.

De Jesus said Aquino committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by pushing for EDCA’s affirmation since the agreement supposedly violates constitutional provisions banning the presence of foreign troops and bases and the use and entry of nuclear weapons in the country.

"This agreement allows an unlimited number of troops to stay in an unlimited number of areas in the Philippines, all year round. It is an outright transgression of our Constitution and an outright sell-out of our sovereignty. This agreement likewise puts Filipino women and children in a vulnerable situation, making us open targets for abuse,” she said in a statement.

EDCA is a 10-year defense pact that allows American troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels. It was signed by Philippine and American officials during the visit of US President Barack Obama last April.

Two impeachment complaints have been filed against Aquino this week by members of civil society groups and youth leaders. The first suit, filed Monday, was endorsed by Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate and Neri Colmenares, and Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap. The second impeachment complaint, filed the day after, was endorsed by Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

The two complaints cited the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as the basis for impeaching the President.

Not for media mileage?

De Jesus said the EDCA merits another impeachment complaint against Aquino since he virtually allowed the US to “yet again make a military base of the Philippines.”

Tinio, meanwhile, dismissed criticism that militant lawmakers planned to endorse each of the three impeachment complaints on separate days to gain media mileage.

“That’s nonsense. Our complaint [with Gabriela] is on EDCA. It’s a different issue,” he told GMA News Online.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas said Tuesday that the successive filing of impeachment cases against Aquino was being done “for the members of the media to [witness] action before the SONA (State of the Nation Address).”

“Malungkot naman kung walang nangyayari dito,” he said.

Aquino is scheduled to deliver his fifth SONA on July 28.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., the House justice committee chairman, said several impeachment complaints can be filed against Aquino as long as they are referred on the same day to the panel. It can be consolidated later on in the impeachment process. —KBK, GMA News