Press Release
October 4, 2016

Bam: Senate to review gov't foreign policy

The Senate will soon conduct a review of the government's foreign policy to clarify the direction it wants to take in terms of international relations, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

Sen. Bam said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, expressed willingness to conduct a hearing on the matter.

"There was openness on the part of Sen. Cayetano to have the hearing, so I hope he will schedule it soon," said Sen. Bam, who filed a Senate Resolution No. 158, urging the government to clarify the country's stand on different foreign policy issue. Sen. Bam stressed the urgency to conduct an investigation amid President Duterte's threat to end the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

"Mahalagang malinawan tayo kung anong direksiyon ba ang nais tahakin ng pamahalaan pagdating sa foreign policy," said Sen. Bam.

Aside from the EDCA issues, government officials also issued contradicting statements on different foreign policy issues, such as joint maritime patrols and the stationed American troops in Mindanao.

"I hope we can clear up these statements soon so that our strategies to protect our territory and develop our economy are aligned with the administration," Sen. Bam stressed.

As provided in Article 2, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, Sen. Bam said a clear strategic foreign policy is integral to the country's development.

"Our relations with members of the international community have bearing on our ability to protect our territory and environment, develop our economy, and promote the welfare and well-being of our citizens," Sen. Bam stressed.

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