by magnolia_eic | Nov 9, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines – President Aquino expressed disaproval with the United States yesterday for voicing concern over the impending review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) but not finding time to officially alert him of alleged terror threats used to justify the issued travel warnings to its citizens.
Despite recent travel warnings, former US President Bill Clinton will be coming to the Philippines for a speaking engagement. President Aquino considers this visit as a vote of confidence for the Philippines. P-Noy also adds that he and the former US President have yet no meetings arranged and that he would be preparing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit this week.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to provide security for Clinton.
Click here for full article from The Philippine Star
by magnolia_eic | Oct 15, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Malacañang wants an overhaul of the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
President Aquino has directed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to take a look at the controversial agreement which is among the primary legal pretext for military exercises of local and American troops in the country.
Aquino agreed to a review of the agreement following renewed calls by some groups for its immediate abolition.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President has not yet made a decision whether the government would terminate the RP-US military deal pending the study being conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
For now, Lacierda said there are “no discussion on the abrogation” of the VFA as far as the Executive branch is concerned, although the DFA has recognized the benefits of having such military deal with the United States.
Lacierda said the President stands by his personal commitment made when he was a senator that VFA forged between Manila and Washington should be studied anew. He said then Senator Aquino signed a joint resolution calling for a review of such agreement. (PIA)
