ON 4TH OF JULY | Solon asks US for ‘better terms’ for PH on EDCA

From InterAksyon (Jul 4): ON 4TH OF JULY | Solon asks US for ‘better terms’ for PH on EDCA

On July 4, 2014, which Malacanang observes as Republic Day to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the formal recognition of Philippine independence by the United States of America, an administration ally asked the negotiators on both sides of the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to consider better terms for  the country not only on infrastructure programs for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) but also for health, education and other social development programs.

In a press conference at a posh restaurant ni Bonifacio Global City, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano appealed for better terms from the United States, which has been a big brother to the Philippines many times in the past.

"Don’t only be big brother. Although the agreement says at low cost, there is much that they can do to help the country, including to spend more on our defense capabilities so that we can use our own money to fund social services and economic development," Cayetano said.

"Since the country needs a lot of money for infrastructure but if we can source our defense budget from US military aid, the monies intended for AFP modernization can be used for other social services programs and economic development.

"So my appeal during what used to be the Filipino-American Friendship Day is let us have better terms. Our negotiators, I don't know why they gave it at low cost; in Japan they are spending billions. But I think the appeal is in order," he added.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/90534/on-4th-of-july--solon-asks-us-for-better-terms-for-ph-on-edca