Senate urged to review enhanced defense pact

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches (PCEC) yesterday called on the Senate to conduct a non-partisan review of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to determine if it would serve the interest of the Filipino people.

In a two-page statement, PCEC national director Bishop Efraim Tendero said while they affirm the friendship and alliance between the Philippines and the United States, they prefer to evaluate the alliance between the two countries based on justice, peace and righteousness.

“We believe that this document should be able to stand the test of thorough review, criticism and public debate,” Tendero said.

He added that they “expect a possible petition of lawyers groups, concerned taxpayers, and other non-government organizations to the Supreme Court about its constitutionality.”

The PCEC said that the agreement contradicts the simple and plain language of the Constitution.

The group stressed that while EDCA is called an executive agreement, it has all the elements of a treaty, which requires Senate approval.

“We trust and hope that our government leaders had the best interest of the nation in mind during the crafting and signing of the document and they, too, will welcome any discussion in the public square,” Tendero said.

“We are dealing with human beings and governments with conflicting interests and motives and that possible hidden agenda may be veiled beneath sweet words and great speeches.” 

The Philippine and the US signed the EDCA shortly before US President Barack Obama arrived in the country for a two-day state visit last April 28.