PH Senate ratifies visiting forces agreements with Canada, New Zealand

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved the ratification of the Philippines’ Status of Visiting Forces Agreements (SOVFA) with Canada and New Zealand, paving the way for expanded military cooperation and joint defense activities with both nations.

Voting 19–0–0, the chamber concurred with Senate Resolution No. 548 (Committee Report No. 72) for the Canadian SOVFA, and Senate Resolution No. 549 (Committee Report No. 73) covering the agreement with New Zealand.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, who sponsored the measures, expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their decisive support. He also commended the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defense, the Philippine Committee on Visiting Forces, and other relevant agencies for providing technical expertise during committee deliberations.

The SOVFA establishes the legal framework governing visiting personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partner nations while in each other's territories. It streamlines cooperative efforts, including joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian assistance operations aligned with shared security priorities.

The Senate’s approval follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ratification of the SOVFAs with Canada and New Zealand in March and April, respectively.

-Paraluman News