Locsin, Lorenzana not consulted on Duterte’s decision to terminate VFA

President Rodrigo Duterte didn't consult Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement on his decision to terminate the VFA.

During the Senate foreign relations committee hearing Thursday, Locsin said he was not consulted and he did not want the President to go to him before he made such pronouncements.

“No and neither would have I wanted the President to make consultation before he makes that statement,” Locsin said on questioning by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

“The commander in chief must be able to express what he wants, his displeasure at the insult delivered by a foreign power. I would not want him to come first to me nor do I believe the Secretary of National Defense would like,” he added.

The DFA chief said it was the prerogative of the executive, the President and commander in chief to make the call.

“Now having made that call, in what I believe was a valid reason— sovereign insult delivered to our justice system which is the principal mark of a state that they have the monopoly to decide  what is right and what is wrong —the President can fire off his desire to abrogate it,” Locsin said.

“Then we come in to advise him whether it is wise or not, all things considered,” he added.

Drilon said he did not dispute the authority of the President to make decisions as the principal actor and decision maker on the matter of foreign relations.

But he added it was expected that "there were consultations done.”

Duterte earlier said he would terminate the VFA if the US would not restore the canceled visa of Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Also during the hearing, Locsin said the Philippines had yet to send to the US its notice of termination as regards the VFA, adding that a review of the agreement is called for. —NB, GMA News