EU Parliament's threat vs. Philippine tax perks has no basis —Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday said there is no basis for the European Union Parliament's call for the revocation of the country's exports tariff exemption.

In a press conference, he said it is unlikely that European Commission  will pass the resolution to withdraw the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) of the Philippines over the country's human rights situation.

“Wala,” Bello said when asked if the threat of the EU Parliament will put the Filipinos’ livelihood at risk. “This is a pure political exercise by the members of the European Parliament. Clearly, walang basis.”

In a resolution on September 17, the EU Parliament called on the EU Commission to temporarily withdraw the GSP+ of the country due to the alleged human rights violations of the Duterte administration.

The GSP+ mechanism gives developing countries the privilege of exporting zero-duty merchandise to EU-member states. Some of Philippine exports to Europe are benefitting from tariff breaks.

It is offered to vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries that implement 27 international conventions in human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment, and good governance.

“Hindi ito sa pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko. On the record, ang Department of Labor had been very compliant in all the 27 conventions ng EU Commission,” Bello said.

"Hindi ko nakikita talaga 'yung basis ng decision ng EU Parliament,” he added.

EU parliament also cited the cyberlibel conviction of Rappler chief Maria Ressa and a former Rappler researcher-writer as well as the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which it said deteriorated the Philippine press freedom.

Bello pointed out that these are not orchestrated by the state as claimed by the administration's critics.  —KBK, GMA News