Santiago, Poe agree US after own interest in West PHL Sea

Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Grace Poe on Sunday agreed that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) the Philippines inked with the United States should have been scrutinized by the Senate first.

In the third round of the Pilipinas Debate 2016 held in Cagayan De Oro City, the two presidential aspirants said the US has a vested interest in helping the Philippines defend its sovereignty over the disputed West Philippine Sea.

“I am against the EDCA. In fact I was the sponsor and author of the resolution in the Senate, expressing that EDCA should first pass the Senate which is what happened to all other treaties,” Santiago said in expressing her vehement objection to EDCA, the constitutionality of which was upheld by the Supreme Court last month.

The EDCA, which falls within the scope of the PHL-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), will give US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.

The agreement, however, prohibits the US from establishing permanent bases in the Philippines as it would violate the Philippine Constitution.

International treaty

Santiago said EDCA is an international treaty and thus must past the approval of the Senate in accordance with the law.

“Bakit ito pinirmahan lang ng mga opisyales ng executive department nang hindi binigay sa Senado? Bakit 'yung ibang mga treaty ganun ang paraan noon? Kaya galit talaga ako diyan. Dahil parang naging sunod-sunuran tayo,” Santiago said.

Santiago said the US has its own interest over the West Philippine Sea and is using the issue on China's reclamation works in the disputed territory to advance its own interest.

“Itong dalawang higante, ang China at ang United States, parehong gustong kuntrolin ang Pilipinas. Bayaan niyo na kung ano ang ambisyon nila sa mga sarili nila. Pero huwag nila tayong idamay. Kaya pareho lang 'yan na mga ganid,” the feisty lawmaker said.

“Ang katotohanan, parehong gusto maka-kontrol ang West Philippine Sea nitong dalawang bansa na ito. We have to stand for our sovereign rights. I am willing to join any movement to declare our independence from imposed sovereignty!” she added.

Poe: PHL should consider its own interest

During her turn to rebutt Santiago, Poe instead seconded the former's statement, saying the government should be wary of the US' real intention in helping the country defend its territory.

“Sang-ayon ako kay Senator Miriam na dapat talaga ay dumaan ito sa Senado para masuri kung ito ba ay bagong kasunduan o hindi. Ito po ang ilagay natin sa ating isip: Wala pong isang bayan na mag-iisip kung ano ang mas maganda para sa kanilang kapitbahay o para sa kanilang kaalyado. Ang una nilang iisipin ay ang kanilang sarili,” Poe said.

Poe has once renounced her Filipino citizenship to become a US citizen. She reacquired her Filipino citizenship sometime in 2006 but allegedly maintained a dual-citizenship status until July 2011.

Poe is facing disqualification cases befor the Supreme Court for allegedly not being a natural-born Filipino citizen and for her supposed failure to meet the 10-year residency in the Philippines as required by the Constitution for a presidential candidate.

Poe said it is better for the country to think of its own interest as well and not depend too much on the EDCA in protecting its territory.

“Ngayon, ang isipin natin ay ang ating sarili. Ano ang pwede nating makuha sa kasunduang ito? Oo nandyan sila (US), isang bigatin na puwede tayong bantayan. Pero naalala ba ninyo, nung nandito yung base militar, kahit papaano binabayaran tayo ng mga Amerikano. Pero ngayon dahil sa EDCA libre ang kanilang pagiging nandito,” Poe said.

Alternatives

For her part, Santiago said there are other options in defending the country's sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea other than securing a military assistance from the US.

Santiago said the government is right in elevating the matter before the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal through a protest case against China.

She said if the Philippines would not get a favorable ruling in the case, the government must also consider negotiating with China and the other countries who have claims in the disputed territory such as through a joint exploration agreement.

“The first track is always to exchange notes. For example, the Philippines already protested the activities of China. That's the first track. But if it does not take effect, we have to go to the second track. We have to negotiate with China together with the other ASEAN countries,” Santiago said. —KBK, GMA News