Roxas: After JPEPA ratification, "time to roll up sleeves"

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday said the government and the private sector must now start working to maximize the opportunities and mitigate potential threats resulting from the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), ratified by the Senate last Wednesday.

"At this time of uncertainty due to the global financial slump, we must be protecting our competitiveness relative to our neighbors in the ASEAN and provide a predictable and stable environment for business, and for jobs, to thrive," he stressed.

"Hindi naman malalaglag na lang sa langit ang biyaya dahil ipinasa na natin ang JPEPA. It’s time that the government and the private sector roll up their sleeves and take action to make sure that the benefits of this treaty are realized," he said.

"Meanwhile, the threats seen or even the ‘doomsday scenario’ painted by those against the JPEPA may happen anyway with our without JPEPA. Weak enforcement of safeguards, wrong prioritization when it comes to funding—these are wrongs that must be corrected, with or without JPEPA," he said.

Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce and co-sponsor of the JPEPA, said the government must deliver on its commitment for an P18.8-billion five-year competitiveness fund relative to JPEPA.

"If they say we will be helping our agricultural producers and manufacturers compete in the Japanese market, then the government must put its money where its mouth is," he said.

"Ang pangako ng gobyerno, may P18.8-bilyong competitiveness fund para sa limang taon. Hahanapin namin ang alokasyong ito sa mga darating na budget hearings sa Senado," he said.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee had already committed last year to provide a program to enhance the competitiveness of local industries and to put in place necessary safety nets. The P18.8-billion JPEPA Competitiveness and Safety Fund will be supplementary to existing budgets of agencies, for programs in line with JPEPA to be carried out in a five-year plan.

"We can no longer shirk away from the globalized economy. It is best that we are equipped with the necessary tools not only to retain our standing in the world economy, but to increase it. JPEPA is just the start. In the end, the most important thing is the welfare of Filipinos in the global market," he said.

Friday, October 10, 2008 | posted in japan, jpepa, mar roxas, miriam defensor-santiago, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: JPEPA experience highlights need for gov't reforms

Senator Mar Roxas, Liberal Party President, said the harrowing experience in having the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) passed underscores the people’s distrust of government, and consequently, the need for reforms in state institutions.

“I think a lot of the mistrust associated with JPEPA began not as a result of the actual provisions of the treaty, but the secretive manner in which the government went about with it,” said Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce and co-chair of the JPEPA joint panel. 

He noted the Supreme Court case filed three years where executive privilege was cited to prevent the disclosure of information on JPEPA. Although the government was cleared by the high court, Roxas said this lack of open communication between stakeholders fostered ill will.

“The government must shift from this policy of ‘minimum disclosure’ that the government seems to have adopted in all its dealings, from the NBN-ZTE project to the GRP-MILF agreement on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, and others,” he said.

 The Senator maintained that although the JPEPA would not benefit Filipinos much, it would be far more harmful to not pass it and be left behind by other ASEAN countries trading with Japan.

“Some say we could have gotten more. Others claim, we gave up too much. Let me be candid. I too feel that we could have negotiated better. We could have gotten more,” he said.

“The choice before us is not the present JPEPA versus another better JPEPA that we can pick and choose from. The choice before us is the present JPEPA versus no JPEPA and an uncertain future as to when it could be renegotiated again and what terms we could actually obtain at that future time,” he added.

In order to address environmental concerns raised by some groups, Roxas has called on the executive to transmit to the Senate the Basel Ban Amendment, which would widen the coverage of hazardous substances banned for export, to include items for recycling. “It’s about time that the Senate reviews and consults with stakeholders on the need to ratify the amendment to the Basel Ban Convention. The important thing is to get started with the discussions,” he said.

He has also filed a bill to increase the penalties for violation of Republic Act No. 6969, the Toxic Substance and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.

Roxas said a way to encourage transparency and accountability in government is his proposed Free Information Act, Senate Bill No. 109. A counterpart bill has already been passed in the House of Representatives, sponsored by fellow Liberal Erin Tañada of Quezon. The measure would require government offices to respond to all requests for public information within two days, unless this would place at risk national security, diplomatic relations or the peace and order situation.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 | posted in asean, bangsamoro juridical entity, erin tañada, free information act, japan, jpepa, mar roxas, milf, pgma, philippines, quezon, supreme court | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas wants stiffer penalties for illegal disposal of toxic wastes

Senator Mar Roxas, Liberal Party President, today pushed for stiffer penalties against the entry of toxic and hazardous wastes from other countries.

Roxas filed Senate Bill No. 2519 amending Republic Act No. 6969, the Toxic Substance and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 to assure full compliance with the ban on export of toxic and hazardous waste into the Philippines from Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Roxas, co-chair of the Senate JPEPA panel, said while the JPEPA treaty in no way allowed Japan to ship to or dispose of its industrial and other wastes in the Philippines, there was still a need for adding teeth to the present law, as a deterrent to any unscrupulous locals or foreigners.

"Our law, RA 6969, as well as the Basel Ban Convention, clearly prohibit the bringing in of toxic wastes into the country. The JPEPA doesn't change this in any way. What we can do is raise the penalties against violators, to show that we mean business, and that our people's safety comes first," he said.

"The penalties and fines provided for under the present RA 6969 are not commensurate to the gravity and seriousness of the dangers that toxic substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes bring to health and environment. It is, therefore, imperative that RA 6969 be amended to impose stricter and stiffer penalties and fines in order to give more teeth to the said law," he said.

At present, the penalties for violation of Sec. 13 (a) to (c) of RA 6969 are imprisonment of six months to six years, and a fine of only P600 to P4,000. The bill will increase the penalties to imprisonment of six to twelve years, and a fine of P250,000 to P500,000. Offenses covered here include: knowingly using a chemical substance banned by RA 6969; the failure or refusal to submit necessary documents upon inspection by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and failure or refusal to comply with the pre-manufacture and pre-importation requirements as stated in the law.

The violation of Sec. 13 (d), on the bringing in of the prohibited substances, will now be punishable by imprisonment of 20 to 40 years, and a fine of P5 million to P10 million. At present, the penalty is imprisonment of 12 to 20 years. For corporations, an additional penalty of P20 million is imposed, up from the present P500,000 penalty.

In addition, violators of the law would be required to pay three times the value of the damage caused to the environment or to persons, and this amount will be collected in a special fund for reparation of such damage. The administrative fine is also raised to P100,000 from the present P50,000 fine, and will be raised by 10% every three years from the effectivity of the proposed amendment.

Monday, August 11, 2008 | posted in japan, jpepa, mar roxas, philippines | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Japan leaders back need for a constitutional JPEPA

LP President Senator Mar Roxas stressed before leaders of the Japanese government how important it is for the Philippines to preserve and protect its Constitution in relation to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), and said that the Japanese officials agreed to this.

Roxas travelled to Japan this week to discuss vital regional issues, particularly the JPEPA and the ongoing food and oil price crisis, with former and incumbent members of the Japanese Cabinet.

"For the sake of Japan-Philippine relations, I told them that it's important for us to have a meeting of minds on this issue, and put this in writing in an official exchange of letters. They understand how important this issue to us, and I'm glad to report that they assured us that they will certainly respect our Constitution," he said.

While in Tokyo, Roxas met with Nobutaka Machimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary; Masahiko Komura, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) ; Yasuhisa Shiozaki Member of Parliament (MP) and former Chief Cabinet Secretary; and Taro Aso, MP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"We need to strengthen ties with our key economic partners at this time when world food and oil prices are going through the roof. These adversely impact upon our people's interest in terms of incomes, jobs and livelihoods as well as our country's competitiveness and geopolitical strategies," Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said.

At the same time, he stressed that "in all trade agreements, our national sovereignty and interest must be paramount."

JPEPA is now pending plenary deliberations in the Senate for its concurrence. It was signed and ratified by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Japanese Primer Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2006. The landmark treaty encountered a major stumbling block in the Senate when questions as to its Constitutionality were raised by legal experts and various stakeholder groups.

Plenary discussions on the treaty have not yet begun, after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo requested for time to discuss the concerns about the constitution with his Japanese counterparts.

Roxas earlier disclosed his findings on the economic provisions of the treaty. In sum, he determined that while the treaty provides marginal potential benefits, its rejection by the Philippines would result in real and wide-ranging losses in terms of jobs and incomes. "Our country will get left behind because the rest of ASEAN already have EPAs with Japan."

"Ang mga pagkakataon na nakapaloob dito sa JPEPA ay hawak natin. Hamon sa gobyerno na itong mga 'potential gains' ay maipatupad sang-ayon sa ating pambansang interes," Roxas said.

Click here to read the statement of Senator Roxas on the Supreme Court's decision about JPEPA.

Monday, July 21, 2008 | posted in alberto romulo, asean, japan, jpepa, junichiro koizumi, mar roxas, masahiko komura, nobutaka machimura, pgma, philippines, reynato puno, supreme court, taro aso, yasuhisa shiozaki | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas calls for ASEAN Leaders’ Summit on food security

Senator Mar Roxas, chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, called on the Philippine government to take the lead in calling for an ASEAN Leaders’ Summit to address the rice crisis and ensure food security in the region.

In a press release, Roxas announced that he would file a resolution on Monday expressing the sense of the Senate that the Philippines should take the lead in calling for such a special Leaders’ Summit, to ensure food and rice security in the coming months.

“ASEAN has in its membership the world’s two biggest rice exporters and the world’s biggest rice importer. The proposed ASEAN Leaders’ Summit has the opportunity to ease the fear and crisis that is gripping both the producing farmers and consumer families across ASEAN and the region. This kind of crisis is exactly why ASEAN exists. ASEAN must address and intervene in this crisis to prove to the world that it can take the lead in the political and economic integration of its member-nations” the former trade secretary said.

The Filipino leader said the proposed ASEAN leaders’ summit could even include non-ASEAN neighbors as such as Japan, South Korea and China for an ASEAN Plus Three Summit as well as multinational financial institutions, which have a critical interest on both the consumer and producer sides of the current crisis.

“At the ASEAN Summit in Singapore last year, an ASEAN Charter was adopted. This document would be meaningless if the leaders of ASEAN cannot get together to ensure solidarity against hunger made worse by soaring rice and food prices,” the former trade and commerce secretary explained.

Roxas said the Philippines can invoke a provision in the ASEAN Charter on Summits that allows its leaders to hold a summit to “address emergency situations affecting ASEAN by taking appropriate actions.”

The president of the Liberal Party also quoted from the ASEAN Charter’s preamble that resolved “to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations and to place the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples at the centre of the ASEAN community building process.”

Saturday, April 12, 2008 | posted in asean, china, food crisis, japan, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, south korea | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to DFA: Act swiftly to seek justice on rape case in Japan

Senator Mar Roxas called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to “act swiftly” in ascertaining the facts behind a reported rape incident involving a United States Army serviceman and a Filipina victim.

“Ensure protection of and assistance to the reported Filipina victim, and see that speedy justice is served,” he urged.

The Liberal Party President noted that not too long ago, in November 2005, the Philippine government encountered serious controversy over the custody of now convicted rapist US Marine Daniel Smith, to the dismay of the victim’s family and the public.

“If legal difficulties arose in a rape committed in Philippine soil, we should learn our lesson and be better prepared in protecting our own national in a foreign country, in a foreign court, under foreign laws,” Roxas said.

It was reported that the latest rape incident was committed in Okinawa sometime in the middle of February, and that the city’s police were seeking an arrest warrant for the US soldier who allegedly committed the crime.

Roxas said the Philippine government should also double-check information on the incident provided by the US government, which may be over zealously shielding one of its soldiers from the reach of justice.

“We have seen that happen here, and our DFA should be able to discern whether we’re being offered a sanitized version of events,” he said.

Saturday, February 23, 2008 | posted in daniel smith, dfa, japan, mar roxas, philippines, rape case | 0 comments [ More ]