16-4 Senate vote ratifies Jpepa before break

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate late Wednesday night ratified the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement by a vote of 16-4. Those who voted for the approval of JPEPA include Senate President Manuel B. Villar, Jr., Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan, Senators Edgardo J. Angara, Rodolfo G. Biazon, Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Jose "Jinggoy" E. Estrada, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Richard J. Gordon, Gregorio "Gringo" B. Honasan II, Panfilo M. Lacson, Loren B. Legarda, Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid, Ramon "Bong" B. Revilla, Jr., Manuel A. Roxas II and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Senators Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III, Francis Joseph G. Escudero and Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby A. S. Madrigal voted "no." Senators Joker P. Arroyo and Pilar Juliana "Pia" S. Cayetano were absent. Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, facing mutiny charges, is barred from attending sessions. The Japanese Diet ratified the JPEPA just months after it was signed. Under Jpepa, 95% of Philippine exports to Japan will face zero duties. Ten years from its effectivity, tariffs will be removed on almost all industrial goods. "In one short sentence, my word is my bond," Lacson said in explaining his "Yes" vote. Pangilinan said he voted "yes" with "serious reservation." On the other hand, Lapid drew laughter from the crowd when he gave the thumbs-up sign when asked for his vote. Last month, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chair of the foreign relations committee, released to the senators copies of the exchange of notes between the Foreign Affairs chiefs of Japan and the Philippines to guide them in ratifying the controversial treaty. She said that in international law, "an exchange of notes constitutes a treaty, binding on the parties and implying performance in good faith." "This exchange of notes will in effect constitute an integral part of the treaty," she said. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Jpepa with then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on September 2006 in Helsinki during the European leg of her four-nation trip. - GMANews.TV