Senators laud RAA; vow to scrutinize treaty before ratification

MANILA, Philippines — Like any other treaties, Senate President Francis Escudero said the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines will go through the Senate’s careful examination.

“We will scrutinize it like other treaties that the Senate is asked to ratify by the Executive,” Escudero told reporters in a text message on Monday when asked if the RAA will breeze through the upper chamber considering the support of several senators.

Further prodded if he thinks the recently-inked RAA would only agitate China, Escudero said what’s important is to increase the country’s military capability and alliances to “provide much deterrence in this region.”

“Regardless of whether it agitates another country, I believe we should pursue it if it is in our national interest, and I believe that it is,” he said.

The Philippines and Japan signed on Monday an RAA in the Palace. The agreement will serve as the legal basis for both countries’ troops entering each other’s territory for joint military exercises.

READ: Philippines, Japan sign reciprocal access agreement

Following this, several senators aired their sentiments on the landmark event. For his part, former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the signing is “very timely” and will boost the country’s defense interoperability with Japan.

First-ever discussion

“It was in 2022 when then-Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko and I first discussed the possibility of pursuing a Reciprocal Access Agreement between our countries, and I brought this idea to President Marcos early into his administration,” Zubiri said.

“So, I welcome this signing, and I am very hopeful that it will be a key partnership for achieving peace in the region,” he added.

Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the chamber’s panel on foreign relations, said she is open to having stronger security ties with neighboring countries. But like Escudero, she said there is a need to scrutinize the agreement.

“[A]s with other treaties, the Senate committee on foreign relations will scrutinize every line and every word of that treaty once the same is referred to us to make sure that it is aligned with the national interest of the country,” she said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said any strategic partnership that strengthens the Philippines’ close security relationship with a regional partner is an encouraging and welcome development.

Estrada also heads the Senate panel on national defense.

“Aside from joint military exercises, the RAA plays a crucial role in coordinating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, given the frequent occurrence of natural disasters in the region requiring rapid and coordinated response efforts. Most of the newest vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard were acquired through a project funded by Japan to enhance maritime safety capabilities,” he said.

Estrada said he will “see to it” that the ratification of the RAA will be one of the chamber’s priority agenda when Congress’ 3rd regular session resumes.