Aquino Govt appeals to US to remove 'withholding element' in military aid

The Philippines appealed to the United States to remove the "withholding element" from its military assistance program, saying there is no factual basis for perception of worsening human rights situation in the country.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Del Rosario made the appeal as he met yesterday with visiting members of the US House Appropriations Committee at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with whom he discussed bilateral issues including defense, security development assistance and good governance.

"We talked about areas of continued assistance and what priority request we have from the US," Del Rosario told reporters following the meeting with the US lawmakers.

Del Rosario said he requested the withholding mechanism in the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) dropped as the US Congress continues to withhold a portion of US assistance to the Philippine military until the Philippine government meets certain conditions related to solving and prosecuting cases of extrajudicial killings.

"As a result, their thinking is that we are not quite up to standard in terms of our human rights standard in the Philippines. We are trying to live those standards so that withholding element can be removed," Del Rosario said.

"We are asking them to revisit that because we do not like the idea that we are being portrayed as a human rights violator which is not factual. As a matter of fact, we are trying to address that perception and we do have very specific mechanisms to be able to do that," he added.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. informed representatives of Philippine-based human rights groups during a discussion at the US Embassy on Oct. 21, 2011 about the withholding of US assistance to the Philippines.

Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) chairperson Teodoro de Mesa led representatives of human rights groups during the meeting with Thomas.

Thomas said the US Embassy was encouraged by the pledge that President Aquino made in his 2010 State of the Nation Address to curb extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

Thomas noted however that the 2010 US Department of State Human Rights Report on the Philippines included assertions of cases of extrajudicial killings that occurred under the Aquino administration.

He expressed concern regarding the slow pace of investigations and prosecutions of past cases.

Thomas said that from 2007 to 2010, the US government extended $3.5 million in grants to the Philippine government and non-government organizations to strengthen their capacity to address human rights violations.

He said the US government would continue to press for progress on addressing past cases and the ongoing problem of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

The human rights groups' representatives informed Thomas of their ongoing projects and suggested measures that could significantly improve human rights conditions in the Philippines.

Del Rosario, meanwhile, said he also followed up the Philippine government's request for third Coast Guard Cutter and a squadron of F16 fighter jets under defense articles.

"We are following up on our request for our third Coast Guard Cutter. As you know the second one we are awaiting delivery. We are also following up our request for the F16. We are asking for a squadron to be considered for the Philippines," he said.

Del Rosario said that in December, the US expressed willingness to help the Philippines obtain a squadron of F-16 to improve its defense capability but stressed there is no discussion yet on stationing of US naval vessels in the Philippines.

He noted plans to station US navy ships in the region including Singapore but there was no discussion yet of stationing of naval vessels in the Philippines.

Del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will visit the US in February or March to meet with their counterparts.

Del Rosario said the US is ready to help improve the Philippines' defense capability.

He said the planned acquisitions had already been discussed with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other US officials.

Clinton delivered during her visit to Manila in November a strong message of assurance and support for the Philippines in protecting its maritime domain and improving territorial defense. Clinton delivered her message on the deck of an American warship that arrived in Manila for her visit.

The territorial conflict and heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) remains a critical factor in bilateral relations between China and the Philippines.

The Philippines formally accepted in May the turnover of a US Coast Guard (USCG) Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippines through the US Foreign Military Sales program. The cutter was refurbished and renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar. It is now the largest patrol ship in the Philippine Navy.

Reference: Philstar News

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Malacañang Palace grateful for Philippines’ improved ranking on economic freedom

Malacañang Palace  expressed gratefulness over a report that Philippines had risen in the world economic rankings to 107 from 115 previously despite a challenging global economic environment published January 14, 2012.

It also welcomed the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey result, which ranked the Philippines as the eighth friendliest country in the world.

The 2012 Index of World Economic Freedom released on Thursday said among 179 countries rated, the Philippines had the 107th freest economy with a score of 57.1. The report said the country's score was 0.9 point higher than last year, attributable in large part to a significant improvement in business freedom.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over dzRB that the Philippines improved its ranking because of economic expansion and the efforts of the government to pursue legislative reforms to enhance the business environment.

"We are also happy to note that even the report itself, an assessment from (a) third party, notes that our regulatory efficiency has been notably enhanced. This is what President Aquino has always been saying - that we are really after efficiency and government. We have been trying to streamline systems. Business registration that will take anywhere between 24 to 48 hours can now be done in 15 minutes. These are the small things that can help businessmen who want toinvest in the Philippines," Valte said.

"And the other good news, we're also happy to note that in one of the surveys conducted by HSBC... And this is why we believe that it really is more fun in the Philippines like what the Department of Tourism is saying," Valte said.

Asked whether the WEF report could counter the claims of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo against the Aquino administration, Valte said "these are (assessments) by third (parties) who have no axes to grind against the present administration."

"Some people will say, of course the administration will always promote what is good, what is good with the economy and people on the opposite side of the fence will almost, will always promote what is good about them and what is bad about the present. But at least this is a third party assessment and we can see the recommendations and positive findings as well the points that the third party has also raised," Valte said.

Valte said the WEF report cited that despite some progress, "corruption continues to undermine prospect for long-term economic development and the judiciary, which remains susceptible to political interference and it does provide effective protection for property rights or transparent enforcement of the law."

Valte said President Aquino himself had assured the international community that he would continue to be relentless in the fight against corruption and run after those perpetuating the culture of impunity.

"While some people chose to oversimplify and say that corruption is not the only problem, that's true, there are a lot of other problems that we need to face but this one has big impact on our economy," she said.

"This is what we have been concentrating on again in the past year," she said.

"As regards the comment on the judiciary which remains susceptible to political interference, that is up to a separate branch of government to determine how they will take that observation...On the part of the executive, what the President is saying is when it comes to prosecution, your case must be strong, never let the delay come from the executive branch. Now when it comes to the adjudication of cases, that is something that is up to the judiciary to resolve. Before it takes six years to have conviction or acquittal, it is the judiciary that must take steps to ensure that there will be speed (in the) dispensation of justice," Valte said.

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