Maza dismayed at SC ruling on VFA, challenges next administration to abrogate VFA
Submitted by mkbyn on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 3:49pm
Nacionalista-Makabayan senatorial candidate Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela expressed dismay over the latest decision of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
"The Supreme Court decision shows the Philippine government’s continued subservience to the interests of the United States government,” Maza said.
Maza is a co-petitioner in the joint motion with former senator Jovito Salonga, together with Evalyn Ursua, the lawyer of alleged rape victim Suzette Nicolas, and lawyer Neri Colmenares representing militant groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
The three-term representative of Gabriela challenged the next administration to uphold Philippine sovereignty by working for the abrogation of the US-RP VFA.
In its motion for reconsideration, the group argued that "the US soldiers are circumventing the Constitution as well as the sovereignty of the Philippines by visiting the country under the pretext of conducting training exercises, but are actually setting up military positions under long-term plans."
Named respondents in the suit were US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and then Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol.
Assistant Solicitor General Luis Simon said that the constitutionality of the VFA has been deemed "final and valid" when the Court of Appeals in April 2009 acquitted Smith of raping Nicolas in November 2005.
Smith flew out of the Philippines less than 24 hours after the CA ruling was announced. ###
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