President Aquino: PHl-US framework pact still being worked out to adhere to PHl, US laws

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 14): President Aquino: PHl-US framework pact still being worked out to adhere to PHl, US laws

Work is still ongoing for a prospective Philippine-US framework agreement that would allow increased rotational presence of US troops in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III said Friday.

The President, in an interview with media in Pasay City, said both sides want to make sure the pact does not violate Philippine and US laws.

"Mula naman noong simulan ang usapan na ito talagang ang focus ay mapamadali, na magkaayos na tayo't magkasundo dito. Iyong principles that we want to uphold... dapat klaro ang details. Sabi nga nila, the devil is in the details. Iyong details ang medyo kailangan pang plantsahin (Since the negotiations started, the goal was to reach an agreement soonest. But we must make sure the result does not violate the rules of both countries. We still have to iron out the details)," he said.

The President made the clarification amid speculations that the pact is being readied for signing in time for US President Barack Obama's visit to the Philippines in April.

But for now, President Aquino said there are still meetings being held to iron out the details of the pact that would allow a US rotational presence that will meet both the needs of the Philippines and the US.

The added presence of US forces is seen to boost the Philippines' position in its territorial row with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=616172