Practice question
The Philippines validly assumes reciprocal international obligations. A later administration disagrees with the policy and claims that, because sovereignty resides in the people, the government may disregard the obligations at will without using any applicable lawful withdrawal process. No constitutional defect in the agreement is identified. What is the best response under Tañada?
- Popular sovereignty means valid international obligations have no legal force.
- An election automatically terminates all treaties.
- Every international obligation binds only the officer who signed it personally.
- Treaties are mere statements of courtesy.
- Sovereignty does not make valid treaty obligations optional; the State must respect obligations validly assumed and any applicable lawful means of ending them.
Legal references
- Tañada v. Angara, G.R. No. 118295, May 2, 1997, main decision: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1997/may1997/gr_118295_1997.html
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