Arguments OfPROVFAThe VFA Is A Good
Arguments of PRO-VFA
The VFA is a good deal because we are not getting any less than the rest. The US had made similar agreements with other countries.
Ratifying the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will reaffirm friendly relations between the Philippines and the United States.
The VFA would define the movement of American forces in the Philippines. The VFA would provide the guidelines for determining the legal status of American soldiers in the Philippines during joint military exercises provided under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). It also provides the framework for continued defense relationship between the US and the Philippines aimed at preserving the security and stability in the Asia-Pacific, he said.
One of the salient features of the VFA, is respect for law as the US personnel are prohibited from participating in any political activity in the Philippines and in any activity inconsistent with the spirit of the VFA.
A continuing bone of contention in the VFA is criminal jurisdiction over US troops. But the VFA does have specific rules on criminal jurisdiction which are based on a standard framework followed by the United States in similar arrangements with about 80 other countries. The VFA also provides mechanisms to settle disputes over criminal jurisdiction. Diplomatic rhetoric notwithstanding, relations between the Philippines and its former colonizer since the shutdown of the bases have been frosty. Ratifying the VFA will show that the two nations are ready for a more mature partnership.
The existence of the VFA 2,which is the counterpart made by the Philippines to the original VFA, promotes the welfare of the Filipino. VFA 2 is a "sweetener" to the "one-sided" VFA 1 that would allow the resumption of joint exercises in the country by Philippine and American troops. VFA 2 grants benefits to Filipino soldiers training in the United States. The second VFA prescribes the legal status of Filipino military personnel visiting the US for joint
The VFA is a good deal because we are not getting any less than the rest. The US had made similar agreements with other countries.
Ratifying the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will reaffirm friendly relations between the Philippines and the United States.
The VFA would define the movement of American forces in the Philippines. The VFA would provide the guidelines for determining the legal status of American soldiers in the Philippines during joint military exercises provided under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). It also provides the framework for continued defense relationship between the US and the Philippines aimed at preserving the security and stability in the Asia-Pacific, he said.
One of the salient features of the VFA, is respect for law as the US personnel are prohibited from participating in any political activity in the Philippines and in any activity inconsistent with the spirit of the VFA.
A continuing bone of contention in the VFA is criminal jurisdiction over US troops. But the VFA does have specific rules on criminal jurisdiction which are based on a standard framework followed by the United States in similar arrangements with about 80 other countries. The VFA also provides mechanisms to settle disputes over criminal jurisdiction. Diplomatic rhetoric notwithstanding, relations between the Philippines and its former colonizer since the shutdown of the bases have been frosty. Ratifying the VFA will show that the two nations are ready for a more mature partnership.
The existence of the VFA 2,which is the counterpart made by the Philippines to the original VFA, promotes the welfare of the Filipino. VFA 2 is a "sweetener" to the "one-sided" VFA 1 that would allow the resumption of joint exercises in the country by Philippine and American troops. VFA 2 grants benefits to Filipino soldiers training in the United States. The second VFA prescribes the legal status of Filipino military personnel visiting the US for joint