Senate panel moves to fast-track 3 key int’l agreements

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

PACTS REVIEW. Sen. Erwin Tulfo seeks clear, direct answers from experts as the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations reviews on Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026) three key international agreements affecting Filipinos, including the Tokyo Convention on education recognition, a double taxation pact with Cambodia, and a transfer of sentenced persons treaty with the United Kingdom. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Thursday signaled its intent to expedite the review and concurrence of three international agreements covering education mobility, tax cooperation, and criminal justice coordination.

During a public hearing, committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the panel would move to fast-track pending treaties while ensuring that each measure delivers concrete benefits to Filipinos.

The agreements under review are the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (Tokyo Convention), Philippines-Cambodia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TTSP) between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

Tulfo noted that some treaties had been awaiting Senate action for years and stressed the need for more responsive processing.

“Kung puwedeng gawin ngayon, puwedeng tapusin within a month or within a year, dapat tinatapos (If it can be done now, if it can be completed within a month or within a year, it should be finished),” he said.

He added that the committee would prioritize clearing agreements pending before it.

Boosting student mobility

Under the Tokyo Convention, member-states commit to facilitating the recognition of higher education qualifications across the Asia-Pacific region.

Tulfo emphasized that while the agreement aims to ease cross-border recognition of degrees and professional credentials, reciprocity and safeguards must remain in place.

“Bawat kasunduang ating sasang-ayunan ay dapat may malinaw at konkretong pakinabang sa ating mga kababayan (Every agreement we concur with must have clear and concrete benefits for our fellow Filipinos),” he said.

The Commission on Higher Education informed the panel that it has begun strengthening its National Information Center functions and digital verification systems to support faster and more reliable credential checks.

Tulfo said the committee expects continued improvements to ensure efficiency and protect the integrity of the country’s education system.

Advancing tax cooperation

The Philippines-Cambodia DTAA seeks to eliminate double taxation and prevent tax evasion and avoidance, while providing clear rules on the taxation of cross-border income.

Tulfo described the measure as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic relations and facilitate trade and investment, while safeguarding national revenue interests.

He said the panel would ensure that the agreement supports job creation and economic growth without compromising the country’s taxing rights.

Strengthening justice cooperation

Meanwhile, the treaty with the United Kingdom establishes a framework for the transfer of sentenced persons, allowing convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their prison terms in their home country, subject to safeguards and mutual consent.

The agreement complements existing bilateral arrangements in criminal justice matters and aims to enhance rehabilitation while upholding accountability.

Tulfo said the Senate’s review would focus on ensuring that enforcement of sentences remains consistent with domestic laws and that humanitarian considerations are balanced with public safety.

The panel directed concerned agencies to submit supporting data and assessments to facilitate deliberations before the agreements are elevated to the plenary for concurrence.