MECO transfer to DFA eyed amid Taiwan issue

(Update 8:14 p.m.) Amid reports of its apology to Taiwan over the Philippines’ deportation of 14 Taiwanese to Mainland China, a senator on Sunday called for placing the Manila Economic and Cultural Office under the Department of Foreign Affairs. Senator Franklin Drilon said the MECO may not have been authorized to issue the apology since it is merely a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC). “Halimbawa ang apology, kung sa ilalim ng DFA (ang MECO), mapag-aaralan nang husto kung tama. Pero dahil (ang MECO) ay GOCC lamang, di ko alam saan siya kumukuha ng instruction," Drilon said in an interview on dzBB radio. (If the MECO were under the DFA, then the DFA can thoroughly review whether issuing an apology is the right thing to do. But since the MECO is just a GOCC, it is not clear where it gets its instructions.) Over the weekend, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a news release on its website claiming MECO Chairman Amadeo Perez expressed regret and said a special envoy is due to offer an explanation. “I apologize for this unfortunate incident," the article quoted Perez as saying during a meeting with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang over the matter. (See: PHL official says sorry for deporting 14 Taiwanese) While observing the One-China Policy, the Philippines not only maintains diplomatic ties with Beijing, but also economic ties with Taipei. “Bakit may MECO? Dahil ayaw nating i-violate ang One-China Policy kaya wala tayong embahada sa Taipei. Panahon na para ilagay sa ilalim ng DFA ang MECO para ang kanilang mga aksyon ay coordinated," Drilon said. (Why is there a MECO? It’s because we do not want to violate the One-China Policy, so we do not have an embassy in Taipei. Perhaps it is time to place the MECO under the DFA so their actions can be coordinated.) Palace’s position on MECO’s apology For its part, Malacañang said it will ask MECO to “clarify" its statements, saying it is getting “conflicting" reports about the supposed apology. Over on government-run dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said MECO’s guidance is on how the deportation row might affect Filipinos in Taiwan, “to make sure there are measures to mitigate ano ang magiging (the possible) after-effects." “We’re trying to confirm that, kasi so far we’ve been getting conflicting reports," she said. “Gusto lang din naming i-confirm sa MECO kung ano po talaga ang naging statement dahil meron na tayong isang broadsheet na nagsasabi walang nasabing ganoon, sa isa naman po, may sinasabi na meron daw apology na nangyari. So gusto namin linawin din po sa MECO." (We want MECO to explain what really was its statement. We’ve been getting conflicting reports – one newspaper broadsheet said MECO made no such apology, but another one said it did apologize. We want the MECO to clarify this.) Earlier, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said there is nothing to apologize for, as the deportation was done in accordance with the Philippines' national interest. "The evidence is in China, the crime was committed in China, so it was in our best interest, in our national interest to deport them to China," Lacierda had said at a press briefing in Malacañang. “Sinunod natin ang ating batas at proseso. Siguro yan lang ang mabibigay nating explanation (We followed our laws and procedures. Perhaps that is the explanation we can give)," Valte added. Taiwan earlier had recalled its envoy to express displeasure over the Philippines’ Feb. 2 deportation to Mainland China of 14 Taiwanese suspects in a fraud operation. It also tightened the process for screening applications by Filipino nationals seeking to work in Taiwan. Philippine officials estimate about 80,000 Filipino workers may be affected.
PNoy sends Roxas as emissary Lacierda, meanwhile, confirmed that defeated vice presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II will be the country's emissary to Taiwan to help expain the issue of the deportation of the 14 Taiwanese and ensure continued trade relations between Manila and Taipei. Lacierda said Roxas, President Benigno Aquino III's running-mate in the May 10 elections, would be travelling to Taiwan on Monday as a private citizen and not as president of the Liberal Party. “We confirm that former Senator Mar Roxas is the personal emissary of the President to Taiwan. Mar Roxas is travelling to Taiwan in his private capacity and not as president of the Liberal Party," he said in a statement without elaborating. Measures vs OFWs? Meanwhile, Taiwan may "reconsider" its stricter policies on Filipino workers if a Philippine delegation due to arrive there Monday shows sincerity and respect. Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) CLA Minister Wang Ju-hsuan said this "goodwill" will be a factor in her agency's review of the punitive measures. Wang also said the Philippines' respect for Taiwan as a country and the communication platform between Taipei and Manila on crime issues will also be factors in the review of the lengthened screening process, according to a report posted Sunday afternoon on Taiwan's Central News Agency. – MRT/KBK/VS, GMA News