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By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
Malacañang appealed to the Senate to reconsider
the proposal of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for a conditional
concurrence of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), so Filipinos could reap the benefits
of the bilateral trade agreement.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez told
reporters that the Palace hopes the Senate will still have a
“change of heart” and ratify the pact as soon as possible.
“We are confident that our senators will bear
in their minds the gains that JPEPA will bring to us,” he said,
adding that it is good for the country.
Earlier, Santiago admitted that passing the
agreement will take time, and it faces rough sailing in the Senate.
For the trade agreement to pass, it needs the
support of at least 16 senators.
Santiago’s committee on foreign affairs will
be sponsoring the proposed economic treaty along with the trade and
commerce committee, chaired by Sen. Mar Roxas 2nd. Her committee
tackled the legal aspects of the agreement, while Roxas’ panel
dealt with the trade aspects.
Santiago has recommended a conditional
concurrence of the agreement.
She said she had prepared her report and had
asked Roxas to also finish his committee report, adding that other
senators are finding a hard time understanding the resolution and
its annexes, which are technical in nature.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero,
Pia Cayetano and Benigno Aquino 3rd said they will reject
Santiago’s proposition.
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