Duterte won't sacrifice country's dignity in exchange for financial aid
Published Sep 23, 2019 05:44 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte will not compromise the country's dignity over any amount of financial assistance from other countries, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo sought to justify the government's suspension of new loans and grants with countries that backed the UN resolution on an inquiry into the drug war after drawing flak from some groups.
The loan suspension, contained in a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, was made in light of the government's "strong rejection" of the Iceland resolution on the drug war.
"Contrary to the opinion of critics and detractors of the President that such move is 'ill-advised,' 'heartless,' or based on 'false pride,' the position of PRRD has always been clear and consistent: He will not compromise the nation’s dignity over any amount of foreign loan, or even aid or grant," Panelo said.
"In fact, the President has rejected in previous occasions offers of assistance with any condition that would interfere with our domestic policies. This policy remains unchanged. And it will not waver," he added.
The Palace has confirmed that the government agencies have been directed to suspend the negotiations for and signing of all loan and grant agreements with countries that voted in favor of the Iceland resolution. The loan suspension will be carried out "pending the assessment of our relations with these countries" based on the confidential Palace memorandum.
"In light of the Administration's strong rejection of the Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council which was carried through by the votes of a minority of the Council members on 11 July 2019 and calls upon the Philippines to take certain actions in relation to alleged human rights violations in the country, all concerned officials are DIRECTED to suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan and grant agreements with the governments of the countries that co-sponsored and/or voted in favor of the aforesaid resolution, pending the assessment of our relations with these countries," the memorandum read.
"This directive shall take effect immediately and shall remain effective until lifted by this Office,” a copy of the document obtained by the Manila Bulletin read.
Panelo initially denied the issuance of the memorandum but later confirmed that it was indeed issued by Medialdea by order of the President.
Panelo, in his statement Monday, said the loan suspension from the 18 nations would bear no impact on the economy.
"At the outset, we assure the nation and its citizenry that this directive will not have a negative and significant impact on the country," he said.
"According to Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez III, there is no such impact because of the following: First, it will not affect existing loans or grants, if any, which are already being implemented," he added.
He said all proposed engagements with said countries, except for one small project loan in the amount of 21 million euros, are technical assistance grants and hence will not significantly affect the infrastructure program of the government.
Despite rejecting loans from the Iceland-led group, Panelo explained the government could seek financial assistance elsewhere.
"In any case, multilateral development financial institutions and other bilateral partners have already signified their intention to finance said 21M EUR," he said.
"And finally, the rates offered by said countries, if ever, are certainly no better than the rates already offered by multilateral development financial institutions, as well as bilateral development partners," he added.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo sought to justify the government's suspension of new loans and grants with countries that backed the UN resolution on an inquiry into the drug war after drawing flak from some groups.
The loan suspension, contained in a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, was made in light of the government's "strong rejection" of the Iceland resolution on the drug war.
"Contrary to the opinion of critics and detractors of the President that such move is 'ill-advised,' 'heartless,' or based on 'false pride,' the position of PRRD has always been clear and consistent: He will not compromise the nation’s dignity over any amount of foreign loan, or even aid or grant," Panelo said.
"In fact, the President has rejected in previous occasions offers of assistance with any condition that would interfere with our domestic policies. This policy remains unchanged. And it will not waver," he added.
The Palace has confirmed that the government agencies have been directed to suspend the negotiations for and signing of all loan and grant agreements with countries that voted in favor of the Iceland resolution. The loan suspension will be carried out "pending the assessment of our relations with these countries" based on the confidential Palace memorandum.
"In light of the Administration's strong rejection of the Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council which was carried through by the votes of a minority of the Council members on 11 July 2019 and calls upon the Philippines to take certain actions in relation to alleged human rights violations in the country, all concerned officials are DIRECTED to suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan and grant agreements with the governments of the countries that co-sponsored and/or voted in favor of the aforesaid resolution, pending the assessment of our relations with these countries," the memorandum read.
"This directive shall take effect immediately and shall remain effective until lifted by this Office,” a copy of the document obtained by the Manila Bulletin read.
Panelo initially denied the issuance of the memorandum but later confirmed that it was indeed issued by Medialdea by order of the President.
Panelo, in his statement Monday, said the loan suspension from the 18 nations would bear no impact on the economy.
"At the outset, we assure the nation and its citizenry that this directive will not have a negative and significant impact on the country," he said.
"According to Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez III, there is no such impact because of the following: First, it will not affect existing loans or grants, if any, which are already being implemented," he added.
He said all proposed engagements with said countries, except for one small project loan in the amount of 21 million euros, are technical assistance grants and hence will not significantly affect the infrastructure program of the government.
Despite rejecting loans from the Iceland-led group, Panelo explained the government could seek financial assistance elsewhere.
"In any case, multilateral development financial institutions and other bilateral partners have already signified their intention to finance said 21M EUR," he said.
"And finally, the rates offered by said countries, if ever, are certainly no better than the rates already offered by multilateral development financial institutions, as well as bilateral development partners," he added.