Amid ongoing review, Palace 'generally happy' with VFA

Amid an ongoing review of the treaty, Malacañang echoed the United States’ position that it is “generally happy" with the 1999 RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). But the Philippines will still bring up with the US any issue that may be raised by the VFA Commission that is conducting the review. “We can say at this point we’re generally happy with the VFA. Importante yan sa defense natin. Alam natin ang long-standing relationship natin with the US ," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio Saturday. The US Embassy had claimed the VFA has been “working very well," crediting it for making possible the May 15-19 visit of the USS Carl Vinson, and its three escort vessels. In the last several months, the Philippine government has been reviewing the VFA, in response to the call of Sen. Miriam Santiago for abrogation of the treaty. Valte said the VFA review is “routine" and comes in the course of any agreement the Philippines enters into. However, she said: “In the course of the review kapag may maliit na bagay ire-raise natin yan if the need arises."— LBG, GMA News