RP should get maximum benefits from VFA review, says Ochoa
The Aquino Administration is committed to a thorough review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) so that refinements can be introduced to ensure that the country obtains the maximum benefits of the bilateral agreement, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday.
“The VFA was envisioned to be a mutually beneficial agreement that would serve the interests of both our country and the United States,” said Ochoa, who also chairs the Presidential Commission on the VFA. “The President, however, believes that a review is necessary because we must evaluate whether we are getting the most out of the VFA.”
According to the Executive Secretary, the commission was created in 2000 under the Office of the President "to ensure that visiting U.S. troops respect Philippine laws, policies, public morals, customs and traditions."
Ochoa stressed that enough time has passed to provide insight with regard to assessing the impact of the bilateral pact.
“It has been over a decade since the VFA was ratified, and we have over ten years’ worth of experience with regard to the implementation of the agreement to serve as bases for a thorough and objective assessment of its costs and benefits."
"We are also conscious of the fact that there have been specific incidents that necessitate an evaluation of provisions that deal with the handling of visiting American armed forces personnel that violate Philippine laws," Ochoa explained.
Ratified in 1999, the VFA serves as the framework for the treatment of visiting U.S. forces in the Philippines and governs the entry and exit of American troops in the country in connection with the activities approved by the government.
It also establishes the manner in which criminal cases are handled against any member of the U.S. troops, as well as a procedure for resolving differences that may arise between the two sides in this regard.
On October 1, the President issued Executive Order No. 9, which amended E.O. No. 67 released in January 2002. It reorganized the Presidential Commission on the VFA and named the Executive Secretary chair of the commission, and Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin as co-chairs.
The other members of the commission are the secretaries of the Departments of Justice and Social Welfare and Development, the executive director of the commission, and a private sector representative to be appointed by the President. (PCOO)
Aquino urges Filipinos to go out and vote on Monday
In efforts to further strengthen the community, President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino people nationwide to exercise their right of suffrage by participating in the barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday (Oct. 25).
The Chief Executive said the electoral process is a chance for the people to strengthen the community through the barangay, the basic branch of government capable of providing first hand public service.
“Given the significant role played by the barangay in helping the government deliver important basic services, it is contingent upon us not only to participate in the electoral process, but to exercise this responsibility wisely”, the President said.
The barangay plays a valuable role in making the government accessible to the people.
The President also urged voters to choose honest and competent barangay officials for they will be making a difference in the immediate environment.
Able barangay leaders could also ensure the cleanliness of the streets, keeping them safe for the children and fairly settle issues among warring neighbors.
“I therefore call on our people to vote for those committed to good governance, mga kandidatong naniniwala sa daang matuwid”, President Aquino said.
He likewise called on the candidates and their supporters to set aside partisan politics and help authorities in the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections.”
Meanwhile, Malacanang has expressed confidence that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be able to conduct an orderly and peaceful barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections.
In a radio interview over government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan (DzRB), Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Comelec has assured the smooth flow of the electoral process considering that their preparations have already reached 96 per cent completion.
“We trust that the Comelec will be able to administer yung elections po natin with minimal or no violence at all”, said Valte.
According to Valte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already been directed to make sure that everything will be under their control.
Valte noted that the PNP has been conducting regular roving to avert any untoward incident especially on election day.
“The PNP will also do its duty to make sure that the elections will not be influenced by any violence or any untoward incident,” she stressed.
The Comelec said that officials to be elected are the chairman and seven councilors for both the barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) who will have a three-year term of office.
The poll body announced that voting will start from 7 a.m. up to 3 p.m.
If at 3 p.m. there are still voters within 30 meters in front of the polling place who have yet to cast their votes, voting shall continue but only to allow said voters to cast their votes.
There are a total of 42,000 barangays all over the country. (PCOO)
