Group urges Palace to reveal content of RP-US free trade pact
GMANews | 06/17/2008
Group urges Palace to reveal content of RP-US free trade pact
MANILA, Philippines — A militant fisher folk group urged Malacañang on Tuesday to disclose the content of the proposed RP-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which it said might be the top agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit to the United States next week.
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that the Malacañang announced last week that Arroyo will the US from June 23-29, where she will meet President George W. Bush to discuss a wide range of issues.
Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said Arroyo has been evading the issue on the FTA.
He claimed that the plan for the FTA was discussed with Bush on the sidelines of the 14th summit of the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 2006.
“The RP-US Free Trade Agreement is a done deal. But Malacañang is keeping it a sacred and secret agreement, denying the people their right to know what this trade pact is all about and its’ super destructive impact and effect to 88.5 million Filipinos," Hicap said.
The Pamalakaya leader said the RP-US FTA was done much like the way the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
“The Philippine government has already come up with proposals for a three-stage RP-US FTA. Under Phase 1 of the package, the two parties must agree on common products like garments and textile and possibly, electronics. Phase 2 would cover the granting of additional concessions on more sensitive products, while Phase 3 would delve into a comprehensive coverage of products and services," Hicap said.
During the state visit, Mrs Arroyo was to personally thank US government officials and members of Congress for supporting Veterans Benefits Bill and discuss an array of issues that involved food security, protection of the environment, Philippine defense program, counter-terrorism, Association of Southeast Asian Nation community building, human rights, the situation in Myanmar and global trade among others.
