Statement of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.
Newsstand Forum, Ambassador Hotel, Malate, April 24
On Court of Appeals’ decision on Nicole’s rape case
That was to be expected after Nicole made a retraction. In effect, she said
there was no rape. And the Court of Appeals is both a triers of facts and
law. And so, they must have considered that withdrawal as a vital link
between innocence and eventual acquittal of Smith.
Of course it could not be avoided, there were doubts, there may have been
pressure. But as for how the court came up with its ruling, I am sure it
tended to focus on the retraction.
On proposal to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement
I only wish to emphasize the fact that, you cannot abrogate the VFA
unilaterally. It is a treaty that has to take into account the views of the
partner, which in this case, happens to be a giant. We pygmies in this
international game are tied up with a giant in this VFA. What I am saying is
if that is the aim of some of my colleagues, that will be quite difficult to
do.
Date: April 24, 2009
Ref: Omeng Maglangit / (02) 5526733 |
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