Sotto: Keep VFA with US

Senate President Tito Sotto said Saturday that the Philippines should “absolutely” keep its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, saying its benefits outweigh the supposed disadvantages of having it.

“The benefits of having a VFA with the USA far outweigh the presumed unfavorable effects of its presence,” Sotto said in a message to reporters.

The Senate chief issued the statement after President Duterte said Wednesday he would seek the public’s opinion on whether or not to push through with the termination of the VFA.

“I must be frank...I have not yet decided on what to do. Meaning to say, to abrogate or renew because I want to hear the people,” he said.

“Ang ordinaryong mamamayang (The ordinary people) can have the say,” he added.

“Diplomatic relations and economic pressures work in different ways, achieving the same purpose,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, said of Duterte’s remarks.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson also welcomed Duterte’s pronouncement, saying: “Nobody has the monopoly of wisdom regardless of power and authority.”

Several senators had opposed Duterte’s unilateral abrogation of the VFA with the US, with some saying that the Senate, as in entering into treaties, should first concur with move.