2nd LD Writethru: Philippine senate ratifies RCEP trade agreement

MANILA, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Senate on Tuesday ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement, meaning the ASEAN member has officially approved the pact.

Twenty senators voted for the agreement, paving the way for ratifying the world's largest free trade area representing 30 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). One senator abstained, and one voted against it.