Senators urge Duterte admin to explain rejection of EU grant

Several senators on Thursday expressed concern over the government’s decision to reject aid from the European Union (EU), with some calling for transparency on the foreign policy direction of the Duterte administration.

In a statement, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said rejecting EU aid was “another reckless and whimsical decision” of the administration.

“Instead of being arrogant and hateful, as president of a developing country, Duterte ought to be grateful that there are donor countries that are concerned about the plight of our countrymen and are willing to help us,” Trillanes, a staunch critic of the President, said.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said the government should be transparent about its independent foreign policy direction, especially in dealing with other countries in terms of aids and loans.

“Sa takbo ng mga pangyayari, mukhang Palasyo lang ang nakakaalam ng mga detalye sa direkisyon na nais nilang tahakin. Kailangan nila itong isapubliko para sa kaalaman ng taumbayan,” Aquino said in a statement.

Last year, Aquino filed Senate Resolution No. 158 urging the government to clarify the country’s stand on different foreign policy issues.

It was referred to the Senate foreign relations committee led by then Senator and now Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, but a hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Senator Risa Hontiveros pointed out the “contradictory and confusing” statements from government officials.

“I strongly suggest that the government think this over carefully. The fact that it is at a loss for a coherent explanation for this unprecedented foreign policy decision should serve as basis for it to pause for deep reflection and reconsideration,” Hontiveros said.

“I call on the Duterte government to get its act together and fully explain the reasons behind this unprecedented foreign policy decision. Was this based on a thorough appraisal of EU aid in the Philippines? What foreign policy objective will this serve?” she added.

Hontiveros said it would be “myopic and irresponsible” if the government’s decision was based solely on the EU’s criticisms on the administrations drugs war.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said it was the Department of Finance (DOF) that recommended to Duterte not to accept certain grants from the EU.

Abella said the government is only refusing EU grants that impose conditions, allowing the bloc to interfere with Philippine affairs.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, however, claimed that the administration’s economic team was not consulted by the President, adding that the decision should not be taken as policy set in stone.

"No, it's not policy. Policy is something that is more permanent. If it's refused this year, maybe it might not be refused next year. So, only this year," he said.

To be ‘truly independent’

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate economic affairs committee, for his part, said the loss of EU aid “is a price the Philippines can afford to pay in pursuit of truly independent foreign and economic policies.”

Gatchalian said however that the government's decision does not mean cutting economic ties with the regional bloc.

“The Philippines will always be willing to build meaningful trade relations with any State or regional organization that is willing to deal with us in good faith, as peers and equals,” Gatchalian said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said only time can tell whether the administration is in the right track in pursuing an independent foreign policy.

"It (declining EU aid) also speaks volumes about the president's determined position to stand up against the traditional patrons of former colonies like the Philippines,” Lacson said.

“I am not ready to say this early if this is the right direction of our foreign policy. Only time can tell if it will do our country right or not, or it is all worth giving a chance to be tested,” he added. —NB, GMA News