Groups ask SC to stop Jpepa implementation

MANILA, Philippines - A coalition of trade groups and individuals on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa). The coalition, composed of Fair Trade Alliance, Automotive Industry Workers Alliance, along with former vice president Teofisto Guingona and former Senate president Jovito Salonga, among others, is questioning the constitutionality of the agreement. In its 60-page petition, the coalition said the implementation of Jpepa would be detrimental to local businesses. “The implementation of Jpepa would result in unfair foreign competition and the lack of trade and commercial equality and reciprocity between the Philippines and Japan, thereby resulting in serious injury and grave prejudice to Filipino enterprises and industries,” the petitioners said. Named respondents in the suit were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, and the 16 senators who ratified the agreement. According to petitioners, the senators passed Jpepa in grave abuse of discretion since “there was no effective and meaningful disclosure and consultation undertaken by the government in violation of the right to information and due process.” Jpepa covers trade in goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, paperless trading, trade in services, investment, intellectual property rights, government procurement, movement of natural persons, cooperation, competition policy, mutual recognition, dispute avoidance and settlement, improvement of the business environment and general and final provisions. Last October 22, the multi-sectoral group collectively calling itself the Magkaisa Junk JPEPA Coalition sought the issuance of TRO to enjoin the senators from transmitting the resolution of concurrence to the executive department in order for the latter “to perform the final acts to make the treaty final and binding.” The SC did not issue a TRO but ordered the executive department and the Senate to comment on the petition. - GMANews.TV