MALACAÑANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 57

CREATING A CABINET COMMITTEE ON THE MUTUAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGREEMENT (MLSA)

WHEREAS, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 have added an international and a more sinister dimension on terrorism;

WHEREAS, the United States (US) has expressed its firm commitment to lead the fight against terrorism, wherever it may be found, and has urged all peace loving nations to join in this effort;

WHEREAS, the Philippines, also a victim of terrorist activities, has announced its all out support to the global campaign against these lawless elements;

WHEREAS, there is a need for the Philippines to enhance its defense capabilities to fight terrorism and other threats to its security;

WHEREAS, the maintenance of a logistics support agreement with the US will strengthen the Philippines and that of the US-led international coalition in the fight against terrorism.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. Creation of a Cabinet Committee on the RP-US Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). – A Cabinet Committee on the RP-US MLSA (CC-MLSA) is hereby constituted composed of the following:

Secretary of National Defense
–
Chairman

Secretary of Foreign Affairs
–
Member

Secretary of Justice
–
Member

SEC. 2. Functions and Responsibilities. – The Cabinet Committee on the MLSA shall:

a. Oversee and provide direction in the formulation of the Philippine draft of the MLSA, taking into account pertinent constitutional provisions, the country’s commitments under existing mutual defense agreements and its obligations as member of the United Nations;

b. Provide guidance and supervision to a Technical Working Group in the discussion of the MLSA with its US counterpart and the eventual drafting of the MLSA;

c. Review and submit the final draft of the MLSA to the President for approval not later than December 31, 2001;

d. Undertake such other functions as may be necessary or as may be directed by the President for the attainment of its mandate.

SEC. 3. Technical Working Group. – To provide technical support to the CC-MLSA, there is hereby established a Technical Working Group (TWG) to be composed of a representative each from the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), with the DND representative as chairman. Each representative, to be designated by their respective departments heads, shall have the rank not lower than an assistant secretary or his equivalent.

The TWG on the MLSA shall formulate the draft Philippine MLSA and undertake the discussions with the US panel towards arriving at a mutually acceptable MLSA. It shall perform such functions as the Cabinet Committee on the MLSA may from time to time assign.

SEC. 4. Administrative Support. – The Cabinet Committee and TWG on the MLSA shall be provided with secretarial and administrative support from any of its member departments as the Cabinet Committee may designate.

SEC. 5. Assistance From Other Government Entities. – All government departments, agencies and instrumentalities are hereby directed to extend full support and cooperation to the Cabinet Committee and the TWG on the RP-US MLSA and their secretariat and to grant them access to such information, data and records as are necessary for the fulfillment of their objectives.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. – All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of December in the year of our Lord, two thousand and one.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary

Source: Malacañang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (2001). [Executive Order Nos. : 1-100]. Manila : Malacañang Records Office.