DND hopeful Senate to ratify SOVFA with Australia

Manila, Philippines -   The Department of National Defense (DND) remains hopeful that senators will concur with the Status of the Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia amid concerns over its supposed impact on the country’s sovereignty.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez also allayed fears that the agreement would violate the Constitution.

“We are hopeful the positive (aspects) of the agreement would be seen. Everything that is in the SOVFA with Australia was crafted within the Constitution and Philippine interests,” Galvez said in a press briefing yesterday.

Galvez said the SOVFA would enhance the interoperability between Philippine and Australian troops.

“We hope and pray they (senators) see the advantages. Philippine interests are very much protected… We try to be interoperable with many countries, especially on humanitarian and disaster response,” he said.

The DND is hopeful that the Senate would concur with the agreement once it resumes session next month.

Galvez noted Australia has been helping the Philippines improve its security capabilities.

He said the Australian government supported the establishment of the country’s coast watch system in Mindanao.

The project enabled the military to monitor the country’s maritime domain against transnational crimes like piracy, terrorism and smuggling, Galvez said.

Australia also donated boats that are now being used by security forces in running after lawless elements in Central Mindanao, he added.

Last week, Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed reservations over SOVFA, saying this would be disadvantageous to the Philippines.

Santiago believes concurring with the treaty may threaten the country’s sovereignty.

“This treaty violates the doctrine of void for vagueness. It is so vague that it will spawn myriad irritants in Philippine-Australia relations,” she said.

Santiago also raised concerns on the criminal jurisdiction of the agreement, saying this impinges on the exclusive power of the Supreme Court.

She also pointed out that the agreement did not specify the magnitude of Australian military presence within the Philippines.

Marcos, on the other hand, cited the need to clarify first the government’s foreign policy.

Arroyo, for his part, believes the SOVFA would not benefit the Philippines.

The Senate adjourned last Wednesday without ratifying the agreement.