Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. asked the Senate to cut the proposed P28 million budget of the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces for 2021.
During the Senate budget hearing, Locsin said the budget slash would buttress the plan to abolish the Visiting Forces Agreement, a treaty between the Philippines and the United States for joint military exercises.
Instead of P28 million, Locsin asked for only P12 million budget allocation for the said commission next year.
PCVF is an attached agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President has an oversight power over it.
Last February, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the abolition of the treaty, but the move was suspended in June.
Although the suspension of the abolition, effective July 1, will last for six months, it can be extended for another half a year.
“We look forward to continuing our strong military partnership with the US even as we continue to reach out to our regional allies in building a common defense towards enduring stability and peace continuing economic progress and prosperity in our part of the world,” Locsin said in June.
The President had cited “political and other developments in the region” as the DFA chief explained why the President had a change of heart.
“I will answer only one question which I will ask myself: Why did he change his mind? A man who does not change his mind cannot change anything. He ran on the slogan ‘change is coming.’ But in the vast and swiftly changing circumstances of the world, the time of pandemic and heightened superpower tensions, a world leader must be quick in mind and fast on his feet for the safety of our nation and the peace of the world,” Locsin said.
According to Locsin, many leaders in the region and other parts of the world find the Philippine government’s decision reassuring.
“Let me assure you that this action alarms no countries in Asia and the rest of the world. On the contrary it greatly reassures everyone,” the DFA chief said.
