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Senate panelOKs
lequest to (econsider
VFA termination plan
THE SENATE foreign relations corimittee
has approved the resolution asking President
Rodrigo R, Duterte to reconsider the abroga-
tion ofthe Philippines Visiting Forces Agree-
rnent (VFA) with the United States.
. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F.
Zubiri said t}re resolution was calendaled to
be sponsored in the chamber on Mondayt
session, The,Feb. Io agenda showed the reso-
lution is lined up for sponsorship.
"This afternoon, idr'-discuss na namin ang
(we will discuss the) WA," Mr. Zubiri said in
a briefing ahead of the session. As of this writ-
ing the Senate has yet to tackle the measure.
"I'm leaning towards the adoption of the
resolution " he said.
Government officials over the weekend
gave contradicting statements on the Presi-
dent's directive over the VFA issue.
Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro L. Loc-
sin, Jr. said in a Senate heariig latt iveek that
the notice to terminate the agreement has
been prepared, brit still awaiting Mr. Duterte's
go-signal.
Senate Minorit! Leader Franklin M. Dril-
on, for his part, said he would wait fot the
Presidentt official announcement as a Sen-
ate review would be "a waste of time" if Mr.
Duterte terminates the agreement.
At the House of Reprcsentatives, Speaker
Alan Peter S. Cayetano hinted on support for
ending the \/:FA, saying the accord may have
"the effect of derailing the attainment of our
National Goals and Objectives."
"Today, if we do our research and review
the facts, we can see that we have been ne-
glected by the United States. They have
stood by blindly as we where abused by our
neighbors and our territory snatched from
us. And their former enemies - despite
still differing values on democratic process
and human rights - continue to get better
treatment and more resources from them
than their old friend, and ever reliable ally,
the Philippines," Mr. Cayetano, said in a
statement on.Monday. He also called for a
review not only of the VFA, but also on the
Philippines' "long relationship" with the US
government. Charmaine A- Tadalan cnd
-
GeDshen L. Espedido

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