Sotto says majority of Senators ‘not in favor’ of Duterte’s VFA abrogation

In a media forum in Quezon City on Saturday, February 29, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said, “Majority, I believe, I’m not sure of the number, perhaps, 12 or more are not in favor of abrogation.” (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

A “majority” of senators were not approved of the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

In a media forum in Quezon City on Saturday, February 29, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said, “Majority, I believe, I’m not sure of the number, perhaps, 12 or more are not in favor of abrogation.”

The Senate chief said his colleagues were opposing the termination of the two-decade-old military pact because most of them believe that the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), anti-terrorism, and anti cybercrime and cybersecurity relationship between the Philippines and the US “might be in peril.”

Sotto also agreed with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson who earlier said that some members of Duterte’s Cabinet were against the VFA abrogation, although he refused to name them.

“I’ve heard the same concerns from the Cabinet members themselves so I agree with Senator Lacson,” the Senate President said.

Lacson’s claim, however, was contrary to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s statement on Friday that “all” Cabinet members were supportive if the Chief Executive’s decision.

[READ: All Cabinet execs back Duterte’s VFA abrogation]

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in an interview with CNN Philippines, shared the same sentiment with the Panelo, saying, “‘Pag sinabi ni Pangulo, nagdesisyon na siya na ganiyan, i-terminate ang VFA, lahat po kami, miyembro ng gabinete ay susuportahan si Pangulong Duterte (If the President says that he is already decided to terminate the VFA, all of us members of the Cabinet will support President Duterte).”

Earlier this month, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), sent its notice of termination of VFA to the US government, leading to a 180-days countdown until the deal would be formally scrapped.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, shrugged off the Philippines’ decision to terminate the military pact. In fact, it was “fine” with him since America will be able to “save a lot of money.”