The European Union’s top diplomat in the Philippines, Ambassador Massimo Santoro, recently said that corruption is a key element that may affect the country’s eligibility to enjoy trade preferences under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences+ (GSP+).
As the country faces a series of allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities in government-funded flood control projects that involves lawmakers and government officials, the ambassador said there is a monitoring mechanism that looks at corruption and human rights and whether a country can maintain GSP+.
GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, which grants duty free access to the EU market for two-thirds of tariff lines.
It is conditional on the Philippines implementing a range of international conventions covering issues such as human and labor rights, good governance, and environmental protection.
Santoro said that a GSP+ mission was in the country to check all aspects, including human rights, which is considered a fundamental element, for maintaining GSP+.
The results of the mission in the Philippines and other countries will be made public early next year.
The EU monitors the Philippines’ compliance with its international obligations in the areas of human and labor rights, good governance, and environmental protection, and pursues dialogue to encourage further development.
The ambassador said the EU strongly supports the fight against corruption and reforms, underscoring assurance for complete accountability. The fight against corruption, he said, is enshrined in the instruments establishing bilateral relations with a country.
He said the Marcos Jr. administration knows what is at stake, when he mentioned the flood control projects in his State of the Nation Address.
Corruption is a disease that impacts the entire country, not just the citizens whose taxes are stolen, or communities that get projects that are substandard or overpriced, but even industries or businesses engaged in international trade which could be endangered if agreements like the EU’s GSP+ are threatened. This concern may not have the same priority, but it also demonstrates the many negative effects of corruption.
That is why our government has to do more to fix the perception that corruption is out of hand in this country. Holding those who are found guilty accountable would be a good start.*
