Law expert insists EDCA constitutional

MANILA - A constitutional law expert on Monday said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is constitutional. In an interview with radio DZMM, Atty. Rudyard Avila said the EDCA is an executive agreement and not a treaty and therefore needs no ratification from Congress. Avila said the EDCA merely expands provisions of earlier agreements particularly the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement. Avila also believes the deal was signed in light of the Philippines' territorial row with China in the South China Sea. ANC, May 5, 2014