Escudero adds voice to abrogate VFA
Calls government coward and fearful

Opposition Senator Chiz Escudero today called the Arroyo government coward and fearful of the US government with its indecision to execute the Supreme Court's ruling on the case of convicted rapist Daniel Smith.

Escudero slammed the Arroyo government for deliberately putting off the Supreme Court's decision last week for the Philippine government to take custody of Smith, saying the agreement between Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo and US Ambassador Kirstie Kenney to move Smith to a detention facility in the US Embassy was not in accordance to the VFA.

Malacanang, instead of commencing the order said, it will await results of its talk with Washington.

Escudero said if the ball is not in the hand of the Philippine government, there is no more reason for the VFA to continue.

"If our government would have to plead and beg before we can get the US authorities to hand over Smith, what with the SC decision, it might be sensible to terminate the VFA now."

Escudero said it is not only insulting to our sovereignty but also a big disgrace on the part of our executive officials when they cannot execute the law which is clearly provided for by the Constitution, including the decisions of the Supreme Court on the jurisdiction over a convicted felon like Smith.

"If our government cannot even execute a jurisdiction issue, how can we expect them to execute an actual penalty?"

What is more appalling, the senator added is that the Arroyo government is exercising a double standard which discriminates against its own country.

"This is yet another sad day for the Philippine sovereignty. The decision of the SC should simply be executed by the Philippine government. This is not a subject matter that should be negotiated upon between the US government and the Philippine government."

Escudero said with the cowardice and fright the government is showing towards the US, the Arroyo administration has thrown the heroes lives away, lives offered and sacrificed to achieve freedom and sovereignty from foreign aggressors.

"All the lives offered and sacrificed by our heroes in the name of freedom went to waste with our government single handedly and willingly subjecting our sovereignty to US government. What is the Arroyo government afraid of?" Escudero ended.