Palace sees court nod on EDCA

From the Manila Times (Dec 14): Palace sees court nod on EDCA

Malacanang hopes that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) will hurdle all questions on constitutionality when it is tackled by the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday.

“(The) government entered into the EDCA in order to strengthen the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) capability in the evolving Asia Pacific defense scenario and in line with both the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) and mutual defense treaty provisions,” said Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a text message to The Manila Times.

“We will await the Court’s decision on the matter as it will provide guidance on government’s next course of action,” he added.

The SC is set to deliberate and probably vote on EDCA on tomorrow after a series of delays.

The Times earlier reported that the high tribunal was poised to declare the controversial agreement constitutional, citing unimpeachable sources.

It was said that an 82-page draft decision upholding the constitutionality of the defense agreement had been circulated among the 14 magistrates. The ponente of the case is Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who claimed that EDCA is “not constitutionally infirm.”

According to the decision, President Benigno Aquino 3rd, as head of the executive department, has the power to sign agreements on matters of foreign affairs and national security.

An overwhelming majority of the justices are inclined to agree with Sereno since no dissenting opinion had been issued.

http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/palace-sees-court-nod-on-edca/