FILE PHOTO: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines – The President has no sole authority when it comes to the foreign policy of the nation.
This, according to Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, citing the constitution.
According to Santiago, the foreign policy power is divided between the Executive branch and the Senate.
An example is a treaty that is approved by the President; in this case the Senate would still have to ratify this.
In short, the President cannot make decisions on foreign relations of the nation unless it is ratified by the upper chamber of Congress as a representative of the people.
“Where is the Senate authorization for the President to conduct this negotiation sometimes called, so called peace process, he does not have an instrument of that nature,” Santiago said.
“He just assumed that he had the power but he does not, with a treaty alone, the concurrence of the Senate is already required, much more the formation of a sub-state,” she added.
Santiago also questioned as to why the MILF is representing the entire Bangsamoro.
“Who gave the MILF authority to represent the Bangsamoro? Among all those science of the breakaway groups MNLF, MILF, BIFF and others that are now spinning to existence, which one of them shall be validly allowed to claim that is represents Bangsamoro? Or the entire Islamic people within Philippine territory,” the Senator said.
Senator Santiago’s position remains that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is unconstitutional and she will include it with the committee report she will make because they have finished the hearing on the BBL.
“It would be best if we started the process all over again. First of all let’s find out in the Senate whether it is willing to grant powers to the President to negotiate.”
Malacañan said that the drafting of the BBL including government negotiations, are according to the constitution.
“It would be good to use the perspective of the members of the constitutional commission, because they themselves made the constitution. They are saying that the important principle there is about social justice and human development,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr. said. (Nel Maribojoc / UNTV News)