Published February 15, 2021, 3:31 PM
Malacañang denied that President Duterte is extorting the United States of America (USA) when he told the US to “pay” if it wants the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to continue, saying the Philippines should, in fact, be getting more than the $3.9 billion it is receiving from the US.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Panfilo Lacson agreed that Duterte’s statement on the VFA last February 12 could be interpreted as “extortion.”
In his Monday presser, Roque said that President Duterte was only right to ask the US to pay because it is making the Philippines a “valid military target.” He cited the principle of state responsibility in international law that applies in the use by a state of another state’s territory and such use results in damage or injury to the latter.
MANILA, Feb. 15 The Palace on Monday, February 15, 2021, underscored that the reopening of traditional cinemas is set on March 1, 2021 and is still subject to consultations with the local chief executives of Metro Manila and to the guidelines that will be crafted by the concerned implementing agencies and the local government units (LGUs) of the National Capital Region.
“Ngayon po ang status nito, ang pagpapatupad po ng pagbubukas ng sinehan kung matutuloy po ay Marso a-uno,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
The Palace official added that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) respects the position of LGUs with regard to the reopening of the cinemas adding that consultations with local chief executives have to continue before cinemas reopen, “Nirerespeto po ng IATF ang posisyon ng ating mga alkalde lalong-lalo na dito sa Metro Manila. Kaya nga po sa Resolution nakasaad po yun, ito po ay magiging epektibo matapos po ang mga guidelines na ii-isyu ng mga lokal na pam
MANILA: The Office of the President of the Philippines has defended Rodrigo Duterte’s demand for payment from the US to retain the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Manila. Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, said during a press briefing on Monday that the Philippines president had “the nation’s interest in mind” when he made his remarks. “It was not extortion but a just