Palace defends EDCA, says agreement does not violate constitution

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): Palace defends EDCA, says agreement does not violate constitution

The Palace reiterated on Saturday that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US is within the bounds of the law and that government lawyers can defend it in the Supreme Court (SC).

"We are very confident that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will be able to discuss and to defend the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

EDCA was discussed lengthily by the Philippines and US teams and it has been looked at by the Philippine government's legal team, Lacierda said noting that he believes the agreement has not violated constitutional provisions.

The concerns of those opposing EDCA have no basis, according to Lacierda. He added that in fact, the Department of Foreign Affairs released a briefer on EDCA saying it is in line with the Constitution.

"And for that particular reason, we are very confident that the OSG will be able to defend the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement before the Supreme Court," Lacierda said.

Leftist partylist groups also raised EDCA as one of three impeachment cases against the President. The lower house trashed the three impeachment complaints against President Aquino last week.

The Philippines and the US signed the agreement this year that allows American forces to use Philippine bases on limited and rotational basis.

This is in the midst of the country's ongoing territorial row with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

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