Most Pinoys support EDCA, US Amb. Goldberg says

From GMA News (Jan 27): Most Pinoys support EDCA, US Amb. Goldberg says

Contrary to claims by militant groups, US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg on Wednesday said most Filipinos support the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Goldberg also took issue on the emphasis of the "controversial" aspect of EDCA.

In an interview on dzBB radio, Goldberg said, "I notice that EDCA is always preceded by the adjective 'controversial.' I'd like to take a bit of issue into that. I think most Filipinos support a defense relationship with the Philippines as shown in opinion polls."

Asked if people's support is due to the aggressive posture of China in the West Philippine Sea, he said, "People's support for EDCA could be a reaction to China's activities."

But he clarified that "EDCA is not tied to the maritime dispute."

Voting 10-4, the Philippine Supreme Court on January 12 ruled that EDCA is not against the Philippine Constitution.

However, four associate justices—Marvic Leonen, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo Brion and Estela Perlas-Bernabe—dissented. Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza inhibited.

Goldberg reiterated that EDCA is an extension of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.

"These are the documents on which [EDCA] is based and it will help us to help the Philippines do more in trying to carry out its goal of building a defense that allows it to have some assurance in its maritime space."

According to Goldberg, the Philippines will benefit from the agreement in terms of enhancing a close relationship with the US Armed Forces, creating a minimum credible defense position, and enhancing capability in relief operations.

On comments that EDCA would turn the Philippines into the biggest US  bases, he said, "First of all, EDCA is not a return of the US military bases in the Philippines ... We have a defense relation ... it is mutually beneficial ... nobody could deny that."

He said that Benigno Aquino III's administration has set out for its goal a minimum credible defense position.

"What we are doing is mutually beneficial. But for the Philippines, it means closer relationship... as it builds a minimum credible defense as it works to ensure maritime security, and as it works to give humanitarian assistance."

For the United states, "it allows us to be more present in the region, helps us carry out a 'rebalance' [goal of] the Obama administration so its mutually beneficial."

Not Constitutionally infirm

The SC ruling said the EDCA is "not constitutionally infirm."

"As an executive agreement, it remains consistent with existing laws and treaties that it purports to implement," the ruling said.

The tribunal disagreed with the Senate's position that the EDCA should have first been submitted to the Senate in the form of a treaty for concurrence by at least two-thirds of all its members.

Leonen insisted in his dissenting opinion that the EDCA signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Goldberg is not binding unless concurred in by the Philippine Senate, as stated under Article 18, Section 25 and Article 7, Section 21 of the Constitution.

The associate justice is also of the opinion that the EDCA amended the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US forces to conduct joint military exercises with Philippine troops within the country's territory.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/552834/news/nation/most-pinoys-support-edca-us-amb-goldberg-says