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17. In 2013 , US-Phil began negotiations for the Framework bases, troops, or facilities; or (b) it merely aims to
Agreement for increased rotational presence and enhanced defense implement an existing law or treaty.
cooperation which sought to give US military access to the Phil
facilities. The framework was in the form of EXECUTIVE The President had the choice to enter into EDCA by way
AGREEMENT NOT NEEDING THE SENATE’S CONCURRENCE. of a executive agreement or a treaty. No court can tell the
The negotiators the changed the name of the framework agreement President to desist from choosing an executive agreement
to EDCA ( enhanced defense cooperation Agreement) over a treaty to embody an international agreement, unless
the case falls squarely within Article VIII, Section 25. Executive
18 April 28, 2014 DFA Sec. Gazmin and US Ambassador to Ph. agreements may cover the matter of foreign military forces
Philip Goldberg signed the EDCA. if it merely involves detail adjustments.
19. It was only on April 29, 2014 , the text of EDCA was made The executive agreement must not go beyond the
publicy available via government websites. parameters, limitations, and standards set by the law and/or
treaty that the former purports to implement; and must not
20. Finding EDCA grossly one-sided and greatly disadvantageous to unduly expand the international obligation expressly
the Philippines , petitioners, then, filed petitions before the SC mentioned or necessarily implied in the law or treaty.
questioning the constitutionality and or legality of EDCA.
The executive agreement must be consistent with the
Hence, this petition. Constitution, as well as with existing laws and treaties.
ISSUES: In light of the President's choice to enter into EDCA in the
1. A. Whether the President may enter into an executive form of an executive agreement, respondents carry the
agreement on foreign military bases, troops, or facilities? (YES) burden of proving that it is a mere implementation of
existing laws and treaties concurred in by the Senate.
B. Is EDCA a treaty or an international agreement that requires EDCA must thus be carefully dissected to ascertain if it
Senate concurrence? (No) remains within the legal parameters of a valid executive
agreement. EDCA is consistent with the content, purpose, and
HELD:
framework of the MDT and the VFA
1. A. YES.The President may enter into an executive agreement
The starting point of our analysis is the rule that "an
pertaining to foreign military bases, troops, or facilities. The role of
executive agreement xx x may not be used to amend a treaty.
the President as the executor of the law includes the duty to
Both the history and intent of the Mutual Defense Treaty
defend the State, for which purpose he may use that power in the
and the VFA support the conclusion that combatrelated
conduct of foreign relations. SC has interpreted the faithful execution
activities as opposed to combat itself such as the one subject
clause as an obligation imposed on the President, and not a
of the instant petition, are indeed authorized.
separate grant of power.
Hence, even if EDCA was borne of military necessity, it
The President may enter into an executive agreement on
cannot be said to have strayed from the intent of the VFA
foreign military bases, troops, or facilities, if (a) it is not
the instrument that allows the presence of foreign military
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since EDCA's combatrelated components are allowed under Philippines" plainly refers to the entry of bases, troops, or
the treaty. facilities in the country.
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Executive agreements may dispense with the requirement of treated differently. Executive agreements that are
Senate concurrence because of the legal mandate with inconsistent with either a law or a treaty are considered
which they are concluded. As culled from the deliberations ineffective. Both types of international agreement are
of the Constitutional Commission, past Supreme Court nevertheless subject To the supremacy of the Constitution.
Decisions, and works of noted scholars, executive
agreements merely involve arrangements on the This rule does not imply, though, that the President is
implementation of existing policies, rules, laws, or given carte blanche to exercise this discretion. Although the
agreements. They are concluded (1) to adjust the details of Chief Executive wields the exclusive authority to conduct
a treaty; (2) pursuant to or upon confirmation by an act of our foreign relations, this power must still be exercised
the Legislature;or (3) in the exercise of the President's within the context and the parameters set by the
independent power. Constitution, as well as by existing domestic and
international laws. There are constitutional provisions that
First, executive agreements must remain traceable to an restrict or limit the President's prerogative in concluding
express or implied authorization under the Constitution, international agreements, such as those that involve the
statutes, or treaties. The absence of these precedents puts following:
the validity and effectivity of executive agreements under
serious question for the main function of the Executive is
to enforce the Constitution and the laws enacted by the 1. The policy of freedom from nuclear weapons within
Legislature, not to defeat or interfere in the performance of Philippine territory
these rules.
2. The fixing of tariff rates, import and export quotas,
In sum, executive agreements cannot create new tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or imposts,
international obligations that are not expressly allowed or which must be pursuant to the authority granted by
reasonably implied in the law they purport to implement. Congress
Second, treaties are, by their very nature, considered 3. The grant of any tax exemption, which must be
superior to executive agreements. Treaties are products of the pursuant to a law concurred in by a majority of all the
acts of the Executive and the Senate unlike executive Members of Congress. The contracting or guaranteeing,
agreements, which are solely executive actions. Because of on behalf of the Philippines, of foreign loans that must be
legislative participation through the Senate, a treaty is previously concurred in by the Monetary Board.
regarded as being on the same level as a statute. If there
is an irreconcilable conflict, a later law or treaty takes
precedence over one that is prior. An executive agreement is
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