Guingona slams DFA, DND chiefs over US bases

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Teofisto Guingona III on Tuesday slammed Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario for floating the idea that it would be okay for the United States to put up bases in the country due to the tension in the Korean Peninsula.

“They should be prudent and they should be reminded of the requirements of the Constitution. And the Constitution has these requirements of the Constitution. And the Constitution has these requirements whether there’s an emergency or not,” the senator said.

Guingona is wary that such arrangements would open the country to nuclear weapons.

“That has to be safeguarded. If there would be a military base, then there should also be no nuke arms,” he said.

The senator noted that requirements should be followed under the Philippine Constitution even in times of extreme emergency.

Guingona advised Del Rosario and Gazmin against setting aside the Constitution in view of the latest developments.

“The implication here is that they are setting aside the sense of the people and the requirements of the Constitution because of the emergency situation. That is alarming because we cannot set aside the requirements of the Constitution. Never,” Guingona added.

The senator said that before the US is allowed to set up a base in the country, the two countries to pass a treaty approved by the respective Congresses of the two countries.

In the case of the Philippines, the treaty should be passed by two thirds or 16 out of 24 senators. A national referendum should be conducted to determine the sentiments on the issue.

“Be that as it may, if there will be bases in the future, the requirements should be met. Treaty, getting 16 votes or more at the Senate, a national referendum and that it should be recognized by the other party as a treaty,” Guingona explained.

The primary consideration of putting up military bases is that it should serve the interest of the Filipino people, not the foreign powers.

“If it will help the Philippines, if it will help the interest of the country, if it will protect the Philippines, then we can talk about meeting the requirement,” he said. “If it will just serve the interests of the foreign power, then let us stop talking about it.”