Escudero: Senate to prioritize RAA ratification

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Tuesday said that the chamber will prioritize the ratification of the newly-signed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which aims to heighten defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

In a chance interview, Escudero answered in the affirmative when asked if the ratification of RAA will be the chamber's priority.

However, he noted that Malacañang has yet to transmit the defense pact to the Senate.

"Hindi pa sina-submit sa Senado (the agreement was not yet submitted to the Senate)," he noted.

Escudero also mentioned that he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko for a courtesy call earlier in the day.

Importance

The lawmaker reiterated his support for the new defense pact that the two countries have entered into, noting its importance in strengthening the Philippines' position in the West Philippine Sea.

"Personally, wine-welcome ko ang kasunduang ito at isa ito sa mga kasunduan na magpapalakas sa ating bansa, magpapatatag sa ating posisyon  sa rehiyon kaugnay ng issue na kinakaharap natin ngayon sa bansang China sa West Philippine Sea," he said.

(Personally, I welcome this agreement as this is one of the pacts that would strengthen our position in the region, especially in light of the challenges that we face against China in the West Philippine Sea.)

However, Escudero said that strengthening the country's defense capability is still the best way to protect our rights over the WPS.

"Bagama’t hindi pa tayo dumarating sa puntong ‘yon ay magandang magkaroon tayo ng kasunduan tulad nito para mapalakas yung ating kasalukuyang kalagayan at sitwasyon bagaman hindi pa dumarating yung aktwal na panahon na minimithi natin na maging malakas na ang ating sandatahang lakas," he said.

(Although we have not reached the point where we already strengthened our defense capability, it is good to have these agreements so we can bolster our current position in the West Philippine Sea.)

Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution states that “no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.”

On Monday, Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee which is in charge of hearing all treaties referred to the upper chamber, said her panel would scrutinize the new defense pact to make sure it is aligned with the country's national interest. —VAL, GMA Integrated News