President Rodrigo Duterte remains firm on his stand to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and United States of America amid the move of some senators to seek the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on the issue.
“They cannot compel me. I refuse to be compelled. I have terminated it. Tapos ang problema ko. Wala na akong problema diyan (My problem is over. I no longer have a problems with that). Insofar as I am concerned, we are beginning to count the 180 days for them to pack up and go. I am not reneging on the VFA and I am not going to America to discuss this with anybody though I respect highly of Trump,” President Duterte said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senator Richard Gordon, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, Sr. filed a petition Monday to convince the High Court to release a “definite ruling” stating whether or not there is a need for the Senate’s concurrence before the President terminates any international agreement. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
