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Philippines


Pitfalls in implementing tax treaties
The recent ratification of the Japan-Philippines Partnership Economic Agreement, or JPEPA, and the modified RP-Japan tax treaty by the Philippine Senate has once again focused attention on these international agreements which grant reciprocal tax concessions to the contracting parties.
Palace rushes EO on tariff changes sought by Jpepa
Malacanang is rushing to issue before November 9 an executive order that will implement the tariff modifications required under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).
Chilean govt open to forging free-trade agreement with RP
The government of Chile is open to forging some form of free-trade pact with the Philippines, seeing that Asian countries, most especially those in the Asean, would be among the major global economic growth drivers in the next few years.
Int’l signature drive vs Jpepa launched in Bangkok
An international signature drive has been launched in Bangkok, Thailand asking the Philippine Senate to recall the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).
Int’l signature drive vs Jpepa launched in Bangkok
An international signature drive has been launched in Bangkok, Thailand asking the Philippine Senate to recall the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).
Supreme Court asked to nullify JPEPA
The Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party and eight other organizations asked the Supreme Court on Monday to prevent the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) that the Senate ratified last week.
Talks on RP-EU cooperation deal to start next year
The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to start formal talks in February for a political cooperation agreement (PCA) that will govern political and economic relations and lead to an EU-ASEAN free trade deal. Human rights, intellectual property rights and climate change will be among the areas covered by the agreement.
Jpepa paves way for more unequal treaties - group
Activists from various organizations under the NO DEAL! Movement on Friday warned that the recently recently ratified Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) would set the precedent for more unequal economic agreements for the Philippines.
Senators clash over JPEPA
Senators on Thursday alternately praised and criticized the recently ratified Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement for removing tariffs on 95 percent of Philippine exports to Japan while allegedly violating Philippine laws on foreign ownership of local businesses.
Filipino group assails JPEPA
The Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) reiterated today its warning that the ratification of Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) had institutionalized abuses against Filipino health personnel.
EU-Asean meeting to tackle trade barriers
The Philippines has expressed serious concerns on the proposed PCA because it requires commitment to sign the Rome Statute. Manila has not ratified the statute owing to concerns of military and police authorities they may face possible harassment suits from rights groups at the ICC.
JPEPA ratification puts RP in more danger vs global crisis
Bilateral deals like JPEPA enables beleaguered countries like Japan to pass their crisis to other economies in the region through more liberalization.
JPEPA: The Romulo-Koumora exchange of notes
The basic norm of international law is that a party to a treaty cannot invoke its internal law, including its Constitution, as a justification for failure to perform its obligation under the treaty. Therefore, JPEPA will prevail over the Philippine Constitution.
RP-Japan free trade pact approved
The Philippine Senate finally gave its concurrence to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), heeding to Palace appeals for the approval of the country’s first-ever bilateral free trade deal before the congressional break.
By railroading JPEPA, Senate has compromised the country’s sovereignty and patrimony
Today is a dark day for the Philippines’ sovereignty and patrimony but we vow to continue our struggle against the JPEPA, say the NO DEAL! Movement and Bayan. We will use all available means — from mass protests to the Supreme Court — to stop its implementation.
Asean free trade concerns still bug RP pharmas
Fearful fo the ongoing to realize a single market for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by 2015, Filipino-owned pharmaceutical firms have asked the government to ensure that safety nets are in place for the local industry. Some are more concerned about the India-ASEAN FTA.
German investors remain lukewarm until Fraport is ‘fairly compensated’
Until the Philippine government and Fraport AG (Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide) have resolved all the legal issues and Fraport fairly compensated, the NAIA Terminal 3 is unlikely to attract long term locators, according to German ambassador to the Philippines Christian Ludwig Weber-Lortsch.
Asean free trade concerns still bug RP pharmas
Fearful of the ongoing effort to realize a single market for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by 2015, Filipino-owned pharmaceutical firms have asked the government to ensure that safety nets are in place for the local industry.
Working conditions of foreign nurses in Japan ’exploitative’: study
The Philippine government has used the annual entry of 400 Filipino nurses and 600 caregivers under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) as one of main reasons why the Senate should ratify the free trade accord. Yet foreign nurses and caregivers who want to work in Japan may find working conditions there exploitative or even discriminatory, according to a study.
Leave it and save RP sovereignty, senators urged on JPEPA
As Sen. Miriam Santiago advises opposition senators to “love or leave” the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), research group IBON Foundation urges the Philippine Senate to choose the non-ratification of the deal and help reclaim the country’s economic sovereignty.