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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Potential EU Move to End Preferential Treatment for Philippine Imports Angers Manila

    The Philippines pushed back Friday against European Union lawmakers for endorsing a potential halt to preferential treatment given to many Filipino imports, as EU officials cited concerns about rights abuses committed during the Duterte administration’s much criticized war on drugs.


    If the European bloc goes through with the move, it would be viewed unfavorably worldwide as countries struggle to survive economically amid the extended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said.


    “If they want to put [an] extra burden on Filipinos during a time of a pandemic, so be it. We will accept that as history repeating itself,” spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual news conference from northern Baguio city, as he criticized the potential move by the country’s former “colonial masters.” The Philippines is a former colony of Spain, an EU member-state.


    The Philippines, Roque said, could survive the economic penalty from Europe.


    “Let’s stop this discussion. They should do whatever they want. In times like this, if they want to implement it, go ahead! They will be the biggest contributor to the violation of the right to life in the Philippines.”


    The European Parliament this week passed a motion recommending that the EU revoke the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status given to the Philippines. It allows zero tariffs on a quarter of Philippine exports to the bloc that are worth almost 2 billion euros (U.S. $2.3 billion).


    The Philippines has been in the program since December 2014 and, according to the EU, the countries in this program have to commit to “27 core international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection and good governance” to maintain GSP+ status. The EU continuously monitors the countries for implementation of these conventions.


    In their motion passed on Thursday, the European lawmakers cited the thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings committed during the Philippine crackdown on narcotics and what they see as the smothering of a free press in the country as evidence that the human rights situation there is on a downward spiral.


    “Given the seriousness of the human rights violations” in the Philippines, the European Parliament “calls on the European Commission, in the absence of any substantial improvement and willingness to cooperate on the part of the Philippine authorities, to immediately initiate the procedure which could lead to the temporary withdrawal of GSP+ preferences,” the resolution said.


    The European lawmakers also noted that since they had raised such concerns earlier, there had not been enough improvement in the human rights situation in the Philippines or in terms of cooperation from the government.


    Last month, Human Rights Watch had criticized the EU for not taking concrete action on what it called Philippine abuses.


    “Despite noting major backsliding in the country’s human rights record, the EU has so far refused to trigger the mechanisms that could lead to the suspension of the trade benefits” under GSP+, the New York-based right advocacy group said in a statement on Aug. 31.


    Human Rights Watch was referring to a 2018-19 report by the European Commission to the European Parliament and EU Council that flagged concerns about the Philippines.


    “With regard to the Philippines, there is serious concern about the death toll associated with the campaign against illegal drugs and the lack of effective, impartial and transparent investigations of all cases of death,” the commission said in its report.


    “Civil society space is also shrinking due to measures taken in the context of the war on terrorism. This has led to increased violence against members of civil society, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples, journalists, and lawyers,” it added.


    A big market for Philippine exports


    Losing the European market would result in significant losses to the Philippines, as statistics show that two-way trade between the Asian country and the EU totaled some 14.9 billion euros ($17.6 billion) in 2019 alone. The EU is the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner, accounting for almost 9 percent of the country’s total trade in 2018. The Philippines is the EU’s 39th largest trading partner globally, accounting for 0.4 percent of the EU’s total trade.


    In recommending ending preferential treatment for Philippine imports, the European Parliament also pointed unfavorably to the forced closure of Filipino broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. and the conviction of Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa of Rappler. The broadcaster and Rappler have been unrelenting in their coverage of the deaths related to Duterte’s drug war.


    In addition, EU lawmakers called for the release of Sen. Leila de Lima, a Philippine opposition figure and Duterte critic who has been detained on what she claims are false drug-related charges.


    The European Parliament also expressed concern about the recent enactment of an anti-terror law, which they said could be used by Philippine police to stifle legal dissent by portraying those protesting against the Duterte government as terrorists and enemies of the state.


    Roque, the president’s spokesman, said European lawmakers had been misinformed about the situation in the Philippines.


    Roque justified ABS-CBN’s closure and Ressa’s conviction, saying the former was ordered by Congress and the latter was a local court ruling.


    Duterte has drawn intense criticism from the international community for his crackdown on illegal drugs that, according to official statistics, has killed more than 6,600 suspected drug dealers and addicts. Meanwhile, rights groups say that thousands of others have also been killed by vigilante groups with ties to the government, an allegation that the government has repeatedly denied.


    Still, Duterte has remained defiant, pulling out the Philippines from the International Criminal Court when it opened an inquiry into the drug war killings, and barring U.N. rights experts from entering the country.

    https://www.benarnews.org/english/ne...020110848.html

  2. #2
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    Moving from 'preferential' to normal. FlipFlops whine.




    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Roque, the president’s spokesman, said European lawmakers had been misinformed about the situation in the Philippines.
    Of course they have . . . because everyone is as easy to control as Filipinos.

  3. #3
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    Genius move! Make the Filipinos pay for the Du3O gov't fuck up!

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    These are illegal sanctions under WTO but whatever. Make yourself feel good Euro technokrauts

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    These are illegal sanctions under WTO but whatever. Make yourself feel good Euro technokrauts
    Cite how they are "illegal sanctions under the WTO".

    Thanks, Skidmark. We are looking forward to your expert treatise on trade regulations.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GracelessFawn View Post
    Genius move! Make the Filipinos pay for the Du3O gov't fuck up!
    Team punishment, it will teach yous how to vote..

  7. #7
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    Not even sure when the next election will be. Sigh....

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by GracelessFawn View Post
    Not even sure when the next election will be. Sigh....
    How depressing . . . feel for you!




    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    These are illegal sanctions under WTO but whatever. Make yourself feel good Euro technokrauts
    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Cite how they are "illegal sanctions under the WTO".
    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Thanks, Skidmark. We are looking forward to your expert treatise on trade regulations.
    Come on, Skidmark . . . surely you don't always post utter bullshit and lies . . . surely . . .

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    How depressing . . . feel for you!







    Come on, Skidmark . . . surely you don't always post utter bullshit and lies . . . surely . . .
    Just watch. Duterte will threaten to launch a dispute under WTO.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Cite how they are "illegal sanctions under the WTO".

    Thanks, Skidmark. We are looking forward to your expert treatise on trade regulations.
    U.S. tariffs on China are illegal, says World Trade Organization - MarketWatch

    GENEVA (AP) — A World Trade Organization panel ruled Tuesday that Trump administration tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods are illegal, vindicating Beijing even if the United States has all but incapacitated the WTO’s ability to hand down a final, binding verdict.

    The Russia sanctions were illegal too

    GENEVA (Reuters) - Russia has told the United States that its Ukraine-related sanctions on a Russian bank and Russian citizens are illegal under World Trade Organization rules and must be scrapped.

    Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said last week that Russia could launch a dispute at the world trade body to challenge U.S. sanctions.

  11. #11
    I'm in Jail

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    Square head, the fool is making a bigger hole everyday.

  12. #12
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    have to commit to “27 core international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection and good governance” to maintain GSP+ status. The EU continuously monitors the countries for implementation of these conventions.
    its just old fashioned domineering colonialism wrapped up in bullshit virtue signalling human rights jargon.

    forcing developing countries to adopt the same expensive if not impossible to enforce laws and condition that have made eu countries so hamstrung by regulation and compliance and so expensive to live in, is just what developing countries do not need.

    the eu is a selfish dictatorial monster, and the less they are allowed to interfere in the workings of other countries the better. fxck them.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    Just watch. Duterte will threaten to launch a dispute under WTO.

    so you evidence of a law will be the rant of a bully boy wanna be dictator???

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    These are illegal sanctions under WTO but whatever. Make yourself feel good Euro technokrauts
    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Cite how they are "illegal sanctions under the WTO".
    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    Just watch. Duterte will threaten to launch a dispute under WTO.
    That's your proof of illegality? You really are a moron. . . but at least you have your little hanger-on latched firmly to your dick
    Quote Originally Posted by Chico View Post
    Square head, the fool is making a bigger hole everyday.
    Really, halfwit - stick to discussing hookers with Skidmark


    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    so you evidence of a law will be the rant of a bully boy wanna be dictator???
    Yes, that is proof of WTO breaches for the likes of Skidmark and chico . . . not for anyone else, just for these two halfwits.

    I'll try again:

    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    These are illegal sanctions under WTO but whatever. Make yourself feel good Euro technokrauts
    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Cite how they are "illegal sanctions under the WTO".

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    Just watch. Duterte will threaten to launch a dispute under WTO.
    But it will all be just bark and no bite. I doubt, he'd achieve any sort of positive result if he started a dispute with WHO.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by GracelessFawn View Post
    But it will all be just bark and no bite. I doubt, he'd achieve any sort of positive result if he started a dispute with WHO.
    Especially because he has no basis for it . . . and even our serious super-sleuth, Skidmark, can't come up with one despite his boasts

  17. #17
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    I'm no fan of that blowhard Duterte, but must sadly report most Filipinos support his war on drugs. I wish he'd come down hard on gun crime instead.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Especially because he has no basis for it . . . and even our serious super-sleuth, Skidmark, can't come up with one despite his boasts
    I only posted a WTO dispute that China launched and won. Based on the same kind of nonsense like Uihger genocide

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I'm no fan of that blowhard Duterte, but must sadly report most Filipinos support his war on drugs. I wish he'd come down hard on gun crime instead.
    He probably wants to but it's a loss cause. The Philippines is basically the USA when it comes to guns. Everyone has them

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    I only posted a WTO dispute that China launched and won. Based on the same kind of nonsense like Uihger genocide
    Bullshit. You cited a specific case. You lied again. You were lazy again. You're trying to deflect again.


    How's this - if you post in news, try to remain factual about issues that arise. Throwing crap is normal here but don't try to pass off your lies as fact.

  21. #21
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    Yeah, he plays a tough hand against drug traffickers and pushers, but doesn't care much about human rights and the rule of law. He's a bully hiding behind his power, bending the law to justify his actions.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    He probably wants to but it's a loss cause. The Philippines is basically the USA when it comes to guns. Everyone has them
    A necessity where I am from. The government can't protect you and most human rights violations are from that direction.....

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GracelessFawn View Post
    A necessity where I am from. The government can't protect you and most human rights violations are from that direction.....
    A necessity, The government can't protect you and human rights


    If you have the military on your side, you don't need the guns. If you don't have the military on your side, your guns wont make a difference.

  24. #24
    last farang standing
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    Not sure how it breaks WTO rules as it would make certain imports currently tariff free subject to WTO rules. The EU are still dithering over Lukashenko, while other countries are all taking steps to sanction him and his cronies. Dont expect the EU to get around to the Philippines and Dutarte any time soon, or at least until they fix the latest spat between Cyprus and Turkey. Again, don't hold your breath. In short, they couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery.

  25. #25
    last farang standing
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    double post

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