Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and Its Member States, of the One Part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the Other Part

January 22, 2018

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 079

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, OF THE OTHER PART

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Article VII, Section 21, states: "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";

WHEREAS, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the One Part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the Other Part (Agreement) was signed on 11 July 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia;

WHEREAS, the Agreement commits its Parties to pursue dialogue and cooperation on political matters, justice and security affairs, trade and investment, migration, and other economic development and sectoral issues;

WHEREAS, the Agreement intends to promote sustainable development, particularly environmental sustainability, reduction of the impact of climate change and mitigation of disaster risk; capacity building and technical cooperation initiatives; and, exchange of experts in the areas of science, technology, statistics, food and drug, and health, among others;

WHEREAS, Article 57 (1) of the Agreement provides that it shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the last Party has notified the other of the completion of the legal procedures necessary for this purpose;

WHEREAS, Article 57 (2) of the Agreement provides that it is valid for a period of five years, and shall be automatically extended for further successive periods of one year, unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention not to extend the Agreement six months prior to the end of any subsequent one-year period;

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines ratified the Agreement on the 28th of February 2017 and has accordingly submitted it to the Senate for concurrence, in accordance with the Constitution;

WHEREAS, in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 7 December 2017, the following government agencies endorsed the concurrence to the ratification of the Agreement:

1) Department of Foreign Affairs;

2) Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

3) Department of Finance;

4) Department of Health;

5) Department of Justice;

6) Department of Labor and Employment;

7) Department of National Defense;

8) Department of Science and Technology;

9) Department of Social Welfare and Development;

10) Department of Trade and Industry;

11) Armed Forces of the Philippines;

12) Bureau of Customs;

13) Bureau of Immigration;

14) Commission on Human Rights;

15) Philippine National Police;

16) Maritime Industry Authority; and

17) Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Now, therefore, be it:

Resolved, That the Philippine Senate concur, as it hereby concurs, in the Philippine ratification of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the One Part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the Other Part. acEHCD

Resolved, finally, That the President of the Philippines, may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate, withdraw from the Agreement.

Adopted,

(SGD.) AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL IIIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 22, 2018.

(SGD.) LUTGARDO B. BARBOSecretary of the Senate