By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said she will investigate the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
“As chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, I am allowed by the Senate Rules of Procedure” to hold a public hearing on the matter even without filing a resolution, Santiago said in a letter to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday.
Trillanes, chair of the committee on national defense, on Monday filed a resolution calling for an investigation on the content and coverage of the new defense pact between the Philippines and the United States.
Santiago, in her letter, asked Trillanes and his committee for a “division of labor” so that the two committees’ investigations will not overlap.
“Defense (committee) will inquire into the military and political strategy involved, while foreign relations (committee) will inquire into the constitutional issues,” said the senator from Iloilo City.
Santiago said she will schedule her hearing “as soon as my chronic fatigue syndrome allows me to do so.”
The International Criminal Court judge earlier listed three constitutional provisions the EDCA failed to comply with.
She cited Article 7, Section 21; Article 18, Section 25; and Article 2, Section 8.
Article7, Section 21 provides that no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate, said Santiago, a constitutional law expert.
Article 18, Section 25 also says foreign military bases, troops or facilities shall not be allowed in the country except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate, she said.
Santiago also noted that Article 2, Section 8 prohibits the use and possession of nuclear weapons in the country./PN
