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An appeal to the Senate to reject the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA)
We, the undersigned individuals and organizations call on our Senators to uphold national interest and reject the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement or JPEPA.
After several public hearings in the Senate, we have yet to see credible studies to back up the fantastic claims of the Arroyo administration that the JPEPA will result in economic prosperity for the Filipino people. Rather than economic growth, the agreement is poised to further damage the already crisis-ridden Philippine economy.
We believe that the agreement is grossly lopsided in favor of Japan. The provisions of JPEPA will further reinforce the historically unequal economic relations between our countries. For example, while removing tariffs for all but two Philippine products (salt and rice), Japan will continue to protect 239 of its own products.
Japan will also gain unhampered access to our nation's wealth, including our human resources, at the expense of the Filipino people.
The JPEPA will not industrialize the Philippine economy because provisions in the agreement limit or do not require technology transfer, local content in products as well as the hiring of Filipinos. On the other hand, special privileges will be given to Japanese investors to the extent of undermining whatever little is left of the country's sovereignty and patrimony. This includes requiring the Philippine government to virtually insure Japanese firms from any damages that may result from civil unrest.
The JPEPA accords Japan a Most Favored Nation status and gives National Treatment to Japanese investors. Such provisions set a dangerous precedent for bilateral trade agreements with other countries. Surely, other countries would seek the same treatment as Japan, thereby further exposing the Philippine economy to plunder by other imperialist powers and foreign multinationals.
The JPEPA is tantamount to a second "Japanese Invasion" of the Philippines, this time in the sphere of economics. For our own survival, we say "No deal!" with the Japanese government.
Uphold national interest! REJECT JPEPA!
SIGNED: (As of October 16, 2007)
Danilo Ramos, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya Gene Nisperos, MD, Health Alliance for Democracy Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante International Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno Clemente Bautista, Kalikasan Mila D. Aguilar Myla Franco San Gabriel Ronnel Lim Jade Joy Lopez, ABC-5 News Ma. Evangelista Pundarela, UP Visayas Tacloban College Darby Santiago, MD, DPBO, Health Alliance for Human Rights Jennifer Awingan, Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network Evelyn Alcuaz-Muallil Lisa Clemente Rolando B. Tolentino, UP Film Institute Girlie Amarillo Carolina Pagaduan-Araullo, MD, BAYAN Rita Baua, BAYAN Renato Reyes, Jr., BAYAN
Cynthia Vargas, RN Sonia Mendoza, Mother Earth Foundation Jpaul Manzanilla, UP Manila/Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center Sonny Fernandez Armando Malay, Jr., Asian Center, UP Javier Claparols, Ecological Society of the Philippines Adelaida Figueras-Lucero Water and Energy Users' Federation-Nepal Evelyn Calugay, The Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec Solidarite, France A.M. Ociones, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Fe Heinen, FIDoC, Dordrecht, Netherlands Mary Lincoln, FIDoC, Dordrecht, Netherlands Dirk Vermeij, FIDoC, Dordrecht, Netherlands Doris Tripp, Heinberg, Germany Jun Tellez, MFMW-Hongkong
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