The prospect of the Philippines having a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan is allowed under the Philippine Constitution, Senator Francis Tolentino said on Sunday, February 12.
Tolentino declared the possibility of a Philippines-Japan VFA following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreement to bolster the defense and security ties between the two nations.
The two Asian leaders have agreed to resolve to increase the defense capabilities of their own countries and further strengthen overall security cooperation.
“Such VFA with Japan is in line with the Constitution because there was a Supreme Court decision that mentioned the VFA in our agreement with the United States,” Tolentino said in a DZBB interview.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it. It only institutionalizes that they will always help us, but the law of the Republic of the Philippines will prevail,” he said.
Aside from the US, the senator pointed out the Philippines also has an existing agreement with Australia—the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
Tolentino said having a similar agreement with Japan would be beneficial to the Philippines that is struggling to fund the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We don’t have huge resources in our national budget to prepare for any calamity. But if we have this, there is a nation ready to help us,” he pointed out.