Senate panel endorses PH-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement to plenary

The Senate foreign relations committee has approved the endorsement of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to the plenary for its deliberations.

Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the panel, announced this in an ambush interview after the Senate committee conducted an executive session on the details of the RAA.

"In principle, it was endorsed to the plenary. So we're trying to iron out issues about jurisdiction and the privileges to be extended to the Japanese visiting forces as well as the civilian component," Marcos told reporters.

"Klinaro rin natin na palibhasa na wala naman tayong Mutual Defense Treaty, hindi naman ito manganganak ng isang executive agreement na biglaan... Hindi daw 'yun ang maaaring mangyari dahil wala naman tayong Mutual Defense kasama ng Japan," she added.

(We also clarified the concerns on the possibility of having succeeding executive agreements after the ratification of this RAA. They told us that it would not be possible because we have no Mutual Defense Treaty with Japan.)

During the hearing, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. stressed the need for RAA as he explained that the previous maritime activities with Japan are not considered a joint military exercise and it is conducted outside the territorial waters of the Philippines.

"No, only maritime cooperative activity," Teodoro said when asked by Marcos if it is legally tenable for the Philippines and Japan to hold joint military exercises without RAA.

"They're not within the land territory of the Philippines and they're outside the territorial waters. If at all, they are conducted in areas where there is right of passage," the Defense secretary added.

Marcos then asked Teodoro, "Therefore, this is absolutely necessary?"

"Insofar as we're concerned, yes ma'am," Teodoro responded.

Apart from the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Foreign Affairs also expressed the necessity of RAA amid the "increasingly challenging" security and environment in the region.

"This important security-related agreement will further promote bilateral security and defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan and will firmly contribute to initiatives towards a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific," DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said.

"With the foregoing, the Department of Foreign Affairs fully supports the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in seeking the Senate's concurrence for the Reciprocal Access Agreement," she added.

The landmark military agreement between the Philippines and Japan was signed last July 8 by Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko.

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.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News