After SC nod to Edca, youth group asks Senate: Junk VFA, MDT

After SC nod to Edca, youth group asks Senate: Junk VFA, MDT

By DEE AYROSO

MANILA – After the Supreme Court upheld the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) as constitutional, a youth group now hopes to find another way to keep US troops out.

The Kabataan party-list called on the Senate to abrogate Edca’s supposed mother treaties: the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the 1947 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

The Supreme Court declared on Jan. 12 that Edca was only an implementing agreement of the VFA and MDT, and is only an executive agreement, not a treaty which requires senate concurrence. The high court also disagreed with Senate Resolution 105, which asserted that Edca needs Senate approval.

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