The government panel that negotiated the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States welcomed the filing of petitions against the pact and saying it was confident the Supreme Court would uphold its constitutionality.
"It is the right of every Filipino to raise questions and seek clarification on the EDCA. We welcome the filing of the cases and see this as an opportunity to allay the apprehension of those who doubt the EDCA's constitutionality,” a statement from the panel, headed by Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, said.
“The panel is confident that the EDCA will pass the scrutiny of the Supreme Court," the statement added.
Two petitions have been filed before the high court challenging the EDCA’s constitutionality.
The first was filed Monday by former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tanada, former University of the Philippines president Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr, former UP College of Law dean Pacifico Agabin, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, lawyer Steve Salonga, son of former Senate President Jovito Salonga, lawyers Harry Roque, Evalyn Ursua and Edre Olalia, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, Dr. Roland Simbulan, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino.
The second petition was filed the next day by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, director Joel Lamangan, nationalist Renato Constantino Jr., and representatives from the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives -- Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna, Luzviminda Ilagan and Emi de Jesus of Gabriela Womens Party, Antonio Tiono of ACT Teachers, Fernando Hicap of Anakpawis and Terry Ridon of Kabataan.
Critics of the EDCA, which allows the increased presence of American forces and allows their free use of Philippine facilities, say it violates the constitutional prohibition against the presence of both foreign military troops and bases.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/87915/edca-panel-confident-sc-will-find-pact-constitutional
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