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MANILA – The Philippine Management Association (MAP) on Tuesday called on the government to speak to the European Parliament about its call to review the country’s trade privileges on what it said was “the increasingly low level of press freedom in Philippines “.
The influential business group said the country would suffer if the EU applies the sanctions.
“We fervently hope that the removal of the GSP [Generalized Scheme of Preferences] preferences of EU countries will not be imposed. It will make our products less competitive and seriously affect various industries. The number of unemployed among our compatriots will increase at the time when they need work the most, ”said MAP president Francis Lim.
Lim said the Philippine economy “would suffer further damage, especially given the contraction we are already experiencing with the pandemic.”
“Our government should not take the matter lightly for the good of our people. We hope that it will be discussed and addressed by both parties in a mutually satisfactory way, ”said Lim.
Last week, the EU Parliament called for a review of the tariff incentives given to Manila for alleged human rights abuses and attacks on press freedom.
The EU Parliament called on President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to grant ABS-CBN broadcast franchise, drop charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, and release detained senator Leila de Lima.
Malacanang responded to these calls by challenging the European Union legislative body to go ahead with its threat to repeal the tariff incentives.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Relations said it is already speaking with other world bodies on the matter. In a tweet, DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also said that the country was “more important than a small social network, a failed franchise, De Lima avoiding a court trial.”
Working on that with Geneva / UNDP / Vienna, other multi-parties; going with technical help, not ignorant abrasions. PH is more important than a small social network, a failed franchise, De Lima avoiding a lawsuit. I will assume that while still dealing with the EU as an adult. https://t.co/BN5N6gugY8
– Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) September 22, 2020
The Philippine economy contracted a record 16.5 percent in the second quarter, officially plunging the country into a recession as the government locked down the country to control the spread of COVID-19.
Despite one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, the Philippines still emerged with the highest number of confirmed cases in ASEAN.
MAP, Assc Management of the Philippines, EU Parliament, EU, business privileges, freedom of the press, ABS-CBN franchise, Maria Ressa, Rappler, Leila De Lima, human rights
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