{ "error": "", "type": "text", "title": "Grace Poe - EDCA", "slug": "grace-poe-edca", "text": "
Speaking to US Ambassador Philip Goldberg at a forum organized by Rotary Club Manila: \"I'm sorry to say this Mr. Ambassador but I know the US is our ally. But we cannot fault [the Philippines] for thinking of their own interests. In pursuing any conflict, the first interest that we need to think of are our constituents.\" [Source<\/a>] June 11, 2015<\/em><\/p> On November 6, 2015, Poe voted for a resolution drafted by Senator Miriam Santiago that EDCA should go through the Senate for approval. [Source<\/a>]<\/p> \u201c[EDCA] should have passed through the Senate to scrutinize if it's a new agreement or not.... What can we get out of the agreement? Yes, they [US troops] are there. A superpower that can aid us. But do you remember? When they had bases here, they were at least paying rent. Because of EDCA, they will be staying in the country rent-free.\u201d [Source<\/a>] 1st Philippines Presidential Debate, Feb 21, 2016,<\/em><\/p> \"I agree with Senator Santiago. The Senate needs to review EDCA. We must put the country\u2019s interests first. We can also strengthen our military, the way Singapore has. Let us take a leadership role in the ASEAN.\" [Source<\/a>] 1st Philippines Presidential Debate, Feb 21, 2016<\/em><\/p>",
"quote": null,
"citation": null,
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