Sotto vows Senate independence after seeking SC ruling on its role in treaty abrogation

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday stressed that Senate independence must be upheld above political alliances, a day after he led the filing of a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to clarify the role of the upper chamber in the abrogation of treaties.

“Personal interests should never outweigh public welfare. I will always choose to fight for the independence of the Senate," Sotto said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Senate President, along with five other senators, went to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a petition for declaratory relief and mandamus, asking the high court if a greenlight from Senate is required before a treaty it previously concurred on can be terminated.

The question on Constitutional boundaries surfaced a few weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte unilaterally ended the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

Sotto brushed off concerns that he might burn some bridges with Palace officials due to this legal mov.

He maintained that senators must be consulted on scrapping international treaties and agreements, same as when Senate concurrence was required before the country entered into such pacts.

“This role is particularly important to ensure that the power to forge partnerships with our neighbors and allies remains impartial. The Senate must do its part in protecting the checks and balances in our government,” he said.

On the other hand, Duterte said he could not be compelled to seek the Senate’s concurrence before he can terminate the VFA.

“They cannot compel me. I refuse to be compelled. I have terminated it, tapos ang problema ko,” he said. — BM, GMA News