Go defends Duterte's position in terminating VFA

(As released) Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go abstained on Monday, March 2, from voting on Senate Resolution 337 asking the Supreme Court to rule on whether or not the concurrence of the Senate is necessary for the abrogation of a treaty.

Go explained his decision by saying that it is within the President’s “power and prerogative” to terminate treaties and the Senate must not “dictate upon” the Supreme Court as to how and when to do its job.

“I abstain from voting on proposed Resolution No. 337. First, let me reiterate my position that as Chief Executive and Chief Architect of our foreign policy, it is within the President’s power and prerogative to cause the review and termination of treaties taking into consideration the welfare of our nation,” Go manifested.

“Second, there are pending cases before the Supreme Court tackling the issue of whether or not Senate concurrence is necessary in terminating or withdrawing from a treaty. I believe that as a co-equal branch of the government, the Senate must not dictate upon the Supreme Court as to how and when to do its job,” he added.

The Senate adopted the resolution, introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III along with Senators Panfilo Lacson, Miguel Zubiri, Franklin Drilon, and Richard Gordon, with twelve affirmative votes, no negative votes, and seven abstentions, including Go.

Sotto filed the resolution after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. — As released