PH Ambassador Talks PH-U.S. VFA with Silliman University Students

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (top row, leftmost) speaks at the virtual “SPAG Talks” organized by Silliman University’s School of Public Administration and Governance Society on 16 October 2020 (17 October 2020 in the Philippines). (Photo courtesy of SPAG Society)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20 October 2020 – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez was featured as speaker at the virtual “SPAG Talks” on 16 October 2020, organized by Silliman University’s School of Public Administration and Governance Societyheld, the official academic organization of Silliman University’s SPAG, led by the SPAG Student Council.

This edition of the SPAG Talks centered on the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the implications of its possible termination for the two countries’ longstanding alliance. The hour-long virtual discussion was attended by the faculty and undergraduate students under the Public Administration and Foreign Affairs programs.

Last June, the Philippine Government informed the United States that it has decided to suspend the termination of the VFA. The suspension is extendible beyond the initial period of six months. 

While noting the negative impact of the VFA’s termination on the Philippines’ defense and security arrangements and its overall relations with the United States, Ambassador Romualdez emphasized that “there is value in revisiting the VFA to address sovereignty, such as jurisdiction and custody.”

“An early resumption of bilateral clarificatory talks may serve as a basis, as well as a jump-off point for a review of the VFA,” the Ambassador said.

In his remarks in the Q&A portion that followed, Ambassador Romualdez situated discussions on the VFA and the PH-U.S. alliance within the Philippines’ pursuit of an independent foreign policy. “Each country has its own interests to protect, and we, as a country, should always protect our own interests. It’s important for us to decide on our own what’s best for us,” the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Romualdez fielded students’ questions ranging from the evolving position of the United States on the South China Sea issue and its role in Southeast Asia’s regionalism, to racial tensions in the U.S. and the Philippine Embassy’s efforts to help Filipino nationals and sustain investor confidence during this time of pandemic.

In closing the program, the Chairman of Foreign Affairs Department, Ambassador Dr. MacArthur F. Corsino (ret.), reiterated that the VFA is “vital to not only our defense alliance with the United States, but is also part of our President’s effort to maintain our independent foreign policy in the context of events happening in our region.” END

For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA or https://www.twitter.com/philippinesusa