Obama victory will result in ‘Pro-Filipino’ US policy—Santiago
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/15/2008 6:36 PM
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The result of the approaching November 4 U.S. presidential elections could change certain U.S. policies on the Philippines like the criticized Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said today in a statement.
Santiago said that if Democratic Party presidential bet Barack Obama will be elected, it is likely he will take a “more pro-Filipino position” on the issue concerning the presence of US soldiers in the Philippines under the RP-US VFA.
"Obama grew up in Indonesia, and has been presumably inculcated with the Asian desire for full sovereignty in his nation's territory, unhampered by any controversial presence of visiting forces," the senator was quoted in the statement.
Santigao said Obama’s victory may also lead to the U.S.’s ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which provides punishment for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Santigao said the Bush administration has refused to ratify the Rome Statute on the ground that it is harmful to US national interests and "legitimate activities" of the US military abroad.
The Philippines has not ratified the Statue, too. Santiago filed today Senate Resolution 710 calling for its ratification. –Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak
