Solon files measure to drop VFA

From the Manila Standard Today (Nov 19): Solon files measure to drop VFA

A counterpart measure has been filed in the House demanding the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement after lawmakers from both houses of Congress started calling for an end to it following the alleged dumping of toxic waste in Subic. Bayan Muna Rep. and Makabayan senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño said House Joint Resolution 7 was filed a week after Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed Senate Joint Resolution 3. The two measures are seeking to terminate the defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States. Those were filed one week apart in August, but no action was taken by the leadership of either chamber. The two measures are seeking to terminate the defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States. Those were filed one week apart in August, but no action was taken by the leadership of either chamber. On Monday, Santiago said she would file a resolution directing the secretary of Foreign Affairs to give the United States notice of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement. She made the announcement following the reported dumping of toxic waste in Subic by Glenn Defense Marine, a US Navy contractor servicing US vessels.... Casiño said he welcomed Santiago’s renewed call for the immediate dumping of the VFA. “We have always been consistent in our call to junk the VFA since it was implemented in 1999,” he said. “In fact in the 15th Congress alone we have at least four House resolutions calling for an investigation of the VFA and its termination.” Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello on Sunday said he was willing to share with the Senate his findings on the waste-dumping incident. He said he went on a fact-finding mission to Subic on Friday, where he spoke with US Navy Captain Glenn Pendrick, commander of the USS Emory Land.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/11/19/solon-files-measure-to-drop-vfa/