MANILA – Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged President Rodrigo Duterte to read the 1987 Constitution following Duterte’s remark that senators have nothing to do with the country’s international agreements.
“Mr. President, read the 1987 Constitution. A senator has something to do with international agreements: Article VII Section 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate,” Lacson said in a Twitter post on Tuesday.
In his public address on Monday, Duterte said Lacson has “nothing to do” with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
“I may accept your comments, but please use a language that will promote your person or human being. (Lacson) had been posting about it on social media without really finding out whether you are a part of it or not,” Duterte said.
“I am telling you, you are not. So next time, consult a lawyer in your office,” Duterte added.
Lacson recently reacted to Duterte’s demand that the United States (US) should pay to retain the VFA because share of responsibility does not come for free.
The senator then took swipe at the president in a social media post on Saturday by telling the US government that “not all” Filipinos are extortionist, who demand money for the continuation of VFA./PN
