Observance of future Phl laws sought under revised JPEPA

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will ask the Japanese government to include in the Japan Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) a condition that the bilateral agreement shall observe any future Philippine laws, including those passed by Congress, local governments, and administrative agencies.

The JPEPA is scheduled to be reviewed this December by both governments and the Philippines is seeking for a big review of the agreement.

The move to include the observance of future Philippine laws was one of the three proposals of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in 2008 when the agreement was ratified. Unfortunately, it was shelved by the Japanese. At that time, Santiago said there was a commitment by Japan that it shall accept negotiations to amend the JPEPA.

An industry insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they will push for the side letters to be included in the actual agreement and not just remain as side letters. This, the source said, will ensure that the JPEPA will be constitutional and will follow Philippine laws.

There is a scheduled subcommittee review of the JPEPA in Japan in Oct. 26 to 27. The three committees are trade in goods, investment and (rules of origin) ROO. The source said that the talks in trade in goods will be especially tedious because the Philippines is on the losing end in the trade in goods. The Philippines is buying more from the Japanese.

For investments, the source said the Philippines did not receive as much investments as promised by the Japanese when the negotiations were taking place. When contacted, as of press time Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal was unable to give data on promised Japanese investments and what actually came in.

For the ROO, the Philippine government will have to check if there is a need to increase or decrease imposed tariffs.

The Philippines is gearing for a major review of the agreement in order to gain as much from the JPEPA like more overseas sales of goods and more jobs. The source said a big review may mean another ratification in Senate because it is similar to amending a law.

The source said the movement of persons specifically the number of Filipino nurses hired in Japan will be discussed. Tariffs on agricultural products are also expected to be tabled. The source said our export are having difficulty entering the Japanese markets because of stringent restrictions. –Ma. Elisa P. Osorio (The Philippine Star)