Fair Trade Alliance asks SC to reconsider JPEPA decision
abs-cbnnews.com | 07/23/2008 3:23 AM
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The Fair Trade Alliance (FTA) is asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its recent decision that the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is covered by executive privilege.
FTA, composed of non-government organizations from various sectors, said the deal is unconstitutional, unfair and anti-Filipino.
The group and its affiliates are among the petitioners seeking transparency in JPEPA. They want to obtain from government the full text of the JPEPA and the offers made by both sides during the bilateral negotiations.
Petitioner Angel Mendoza said the decision is similar to how things were done during the Martial Law period, when the Marcos administration concluded one loan after the other with the World Bank-IMF group without informing and consulting the people.
Mendoza noted the High Court's ruling unfairly upholds the secrecy of treaties and executive agreements regardless whether these agreements put local jobs and industries at risk. ABS-CBN News Channel
