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IV. CONSIDERATION OF MULTILATERAL TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS IN DOMESTIC POLICY FORMULATION
[ IV | IV-A
| IV-B | IV-C ]
B. Integrating agreements into domestic policy formulation
[ B | B-1 | B-2
| B-3 ]
2. Legislature
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, a treaty or international agreement shall be considered valid and effective if concurred to by at least two thirds of all the members of the Senate. Ratification by the legislature, therefore, renders legitimacy to the adherence of the country to international agreements.
The strong support of the legislature in shepherding priority Bills related to ensuring government compliance with international agreements is indispensable. Specifically, the passage of administrative Bills on environmental management and protection, such as the Forestry Code and Environment Code, which incorporate commitments to international agreements requires strong legislative support. It is likewise a potent force in the review and approval of budgetary allocations for sustainable development.
A legislative agenda for the environment, for which legislature support is being sought, includes the enactment of laws which would prevent damage to, and guarantee the effective management, utilization and conservation of, ecosystems.
The attainment of that legislative vision is, however, closely subject to the political-economic interests of every legislator; but those interests are often considered as powerful impediments to the passage of laws.
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