While Malacañang acknowledged the proposal by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose additional tariffs on select Philippine products due to findings on forced labor under the safeguard, it asserted that the country opposes forced labor and can defend itself against it.

The USTR has recently investigated 60 economies and concluded that the Philippines is among those that lack safeguards to ban imports produced wholly or partly through forced labor.

The findings may lead to an additional 12.5 percent tariff on select products.

Malacañang on Monday, June 8, said the government is seriously addressing concerns raised in the USTR report, stressing the Philippines' long-standing opposition to forced labor and commitment to enforcing laws that protect workers' rights.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is reviewing the USTR report and will coordinate with US officials through appropriate channels to demonstrate the country's compliance with labor laws and its condemnation of all forms of forced labor.

"Alam natin, simula’t simula pa lamang, ang mga batas natin at ang pagpapatupad ng mga proseso laban sa forced labor, alam po natin iyan at alam din natin, kamakailan lamang ay mayroong nahuli na isang bar na kung saan kinokondena natin ang forced labor at ang human trafficking (We know that from the very beginning, our laws and the enforcement of processes against forced labor have been in place. We are fully aware of this, and we also know that just recently, a bar was raided where violations were discovered. We condemn both forced labor and human trafficking)," Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Castro said "the government is taking the issue seriously," stating that the Office of the President acknowledges the USTR's proposal.

"Seryosong tinutugunan ng pamahalaan ang usaping ito, binibigyang-diin ng pamahalaan ang matagal nang paninindigan laban sa forced labor at ang umiiral na batas laban dito (The government is taking this issue seriously. It underscores its long-standing position against forced labor and the existing laws that prohibit it)," Castro said.

"Kasalukuyang sinusuri ang ulat ng USTR at makikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisyal ng US sa tamang paraan (The government is currently reviewing the USTR report and will engage with US officials through the appropriate channels)," she added.

The Palace official also underscored that the Philippines is prepared to defend its position that it is not violating the law and that it condemns forced labor.

Asked if President Marcos will send another team to the US for talks with the USTR, Castro said "it is among the options being considered."

She added that the matter is currently under review to determine the appropriate steps that should be taken to demonstrate that the Philippines has committed no violations related to forced labor activities.