EDCA negotiations at a standstill amid SC case

From ABS-CBN (Sep 9): EDCA negotiations at a standstill amid SC case

The Philippines and the United States have yet to agree on the locations that will be used by American soldiers under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino said there are no negotiations now since the EDCA's constitutionality is still being reviewed by the Supreme Court.

Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Emmi De Jesus, for her part, expressed frustration with the Department of National Defense when it was asked to reveal the budget allocations for activities related to American military presence in the country.

"Nakakabahala ang pagtatakip ng DND, kung hindi man nakakapagtaka na hindi alam ni Sec. Gazmin kung ano ang budget at mga ginastos ng Pilipinas para masuportahan ang panghihimasok ng mga tropa ng Estados Unidos sa bansa. Ganito palagi ang nagiging anomalya sa defense budget at dapat lamang ay hindi na bigyan pa ng pananalapi ang mga programang hindi maipakita sa mga taxpayer at mambabatas," De Jesus said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/09/14/edca-negotiations-standstill-amid-sc-case