President Rodrigo Duterte suggested that Vice President Leni Robredo should further study the constitution if she has aspirations to be the country’s leader.
The response followed the “extortion” remarks of the vice president on the statement of Pres. Duterte seeking payment from the United States of America if it wants to pursue the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“The Constitution of the Philippines provides that the foreign relations or foreign policy is vested in the president alone… Kung ano ang policy gusto niyang ipalabas (The policies he wants) for the Philippines is vested in the president and not with the senators or the vice president,” the Chief Executive said.
“I said if by unfortunate chance you become the president, please study more. I think that you need a refresher course sa (in) law,” he added.
Pres. Duterte stood by his earlier statement on the VFA, taking into consideration the benefit which the western country has been getting from the Philippines through the joint military exercises. He also pointed out that the Philippines will be in a vulnerable position when the US gets into war with its enemies.
“You do not use this word “extortion”, “extortion”. When we say you pay, dapat talagang magbayad (they should pay). Anong tingin mo sa… ano ito? Tingin mo sa Pilipinas colony ng Amerika (Do you think the Philippines is an American colony)?” he added.
“How can that be an extortion when you’re asking for a payment? Maningil ka para sa bayan mo (You ask payment for your country), extortion?” he questioned.
Pres. Duterte also responded to Senator Panfilo Lacson over the same matter, pointing out that he has “nothing to do with this.”
“I may not be a lawyer like him. Last time I read the Constitution, a senator has something to do with international agreements. The President should refresh his memory by reading Article VII Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution,” Lacson raised.
“It says, ‘Article VII Section 21. 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’,” Lacson continued.
The camp of Robredo, countered the statement of the president in an interview saying that the she had proven her leadership skills even during the pandemic . – Report from Mela Lesmoras
