Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA)

Hi I would like to request for the following document: 

1. Visiting Forces Agreement between Philippines and United States of America; 

The purpose of my request is for research. 

Thank you.

Jan 28, 2020

Dear M.A. Sandoval,

Thank you for your request dated Jan 24, 2020 06:10:45 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Visiting Forces Agreement between Philippines and United States of America.

We received your request on Jan 24, 2020 06:10:45 PM and will respond on or before Feb 14, 2020 06:10:45 PM, in accordance with the Executive Order's implementing rules and regulations.

Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHQsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEERGQS02MzE3MjczNjAzNjIM, for request with ticket number #DFA-631727360362.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

FOI Receiving Officer
FOI Officer

January 28, 2020

Dear Mae Ann,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated January 24, 2020 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You asked for the Visiting Forces Agreement between Philippines and United States of America

Response to Your request

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, upon further evaluation of your request, please be advised that internal documents such as the Visiting Forces Agreement pertaining to the conduct of foreign affairs is recognized in international law as restricted and treated as confidential and privileged, and are as well included in the Inventory of Exceptions to Executive Order No. 2, the Order which operationalized the right to information. DFA, therefore, is constrained by law from issuing copies of the subject documents to the public.

Nonetheless, we were able to determine that provisions for public knowledge of this particular Republic Act is already available online. You may retrieve your requested information from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/10/09/agreement-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-regarding-the-treatment-of-republic-of-the-philippines-personnel-visiting-the-uni/. 

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.

Respectfully,
FOI Receiving Officer
FOI Officer