Malacañang has announced that it is possible that President Rodrigo Duterte will postpone the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA termination with the United States.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement a day after Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon proposed to extend the postponement of the VFA termination due to the ongoing US presidential election.
“Kung gusto natin ng elbow room, an extension of the suspension would be the choice given na mayroong possibility ng bagong administration na papasok sa America,” said Biazon.
Incumbent President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are running for office.
According to Biazon, if there is new leadership in America, it is also possible that there will be a change in the foreign policy of that country.
“Kung ie-extend lang natin ‘yong suspension, then we have the elbow room whether to, later on, push through with the termination or baka itong period na ito na magkaroon ng elections, it would become an opportunity for the Philippines to negotiate for terms that it deems better,” said Biazon, vice chairman of House Committee on National Defense.
Palace: Suspension of VFA termination may be extended
Apart from this, the Supreme Court will also have more time to decide on the Senate petition on whether the senators’ vote is still needed before terminating the VFA, which is considered a treaty, which passed through the Upper House.
“Ang alam ko rin wala pang action ang Supreme Court whether to even issue an order to put everything in suspension. As I understand it, noong nag-issue ng suspension of termination ‘yong Philippine government, in effect ulit ‘yong VFA,” the lawmaker said.
In an interview with CNN, Philippines, on Wednesday, Roque said that Duterte might extend the suspension of the VFA termination to another six months.
“Perhaps the President will invoke the second six month time to finally abrogate the VFA,” the official said.
“But anyway, what I am saying is, there is no immediate rush for the President to decide because the notification we sent to the Americans gives them at least one-year leeway before it’s abrogated.”