The Supreme Court (SC) has asked Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to comment on the petition filed by senators on the withdrawal of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) “10 days from notice”.
SC Spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed it is one of the matters that have been decided upon by the magistrates on their en banc session on Wednesday.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Richard Gordon filed the said petition before the SC on March 9. Their petition for declaratory relief and mandamus asks the SC to release a definite ruling which states whether there is a need for Senate concurrence before the President terminates any treaty or international agreement which the Higher House has ratified.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday announced the suspension of the termination of the VFA between the US and the Philippines.
