MANILA: President Benigno Aquino III faces another impeachment complaint, this time for the supposed unconstitutionality of the Philippines’ recently forged defence agreement with the United States.
The impeachment complaint, signed by left-wing groups and party-lists, was filed yesterday before the House of Representatives. It argued that Aquino allowed the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement without the approval of Congress.
The complainants, which include representatives from the Gabriela Women’s Party-list, ACT Teachers Party-list and Bayan Muna, said that EDCA is by nature a treaty, as it allowed foreign forces to establish bases in the country — a move which requires Congress’ ratification.
“However, the president passed it off as a mere executive agreement and bypassed entirely the Senate and the House of Representatives,” ACT Teachers Party-List Representative Antontio Tinio said in an interview.
American Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, however, has defended the EDCA, a key part of the US agenda to modernise its Asia-Pacific alliances as the Obama administration pivots its foreign policy to the region.
The Philippine star
