• Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal to support Asia-Pacific economic integration, says U.S. envoy
• President Aquino says Secretary Manuel Roxas II is still his party’s top presidential bet 
• President Aquino ready to discuss Bangsamoro Draft Law with senators
• President Aquino maintains the Philippines has freedom of aviation over West Philippine Sea
• President Aquino attends Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela event in Marikina

APEC NEWS RELEASES

• APEC trade ministers to endorse action agenda to globalize micro, small and medium firms
• APEC ministers agree on Free Trade Area study completion next year
• Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal to support Asia-Pacific economic integration, says U.S. envoy

United States (US) Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman said the Philippines’ chairmanship of the APEC this year has focused on furthering integration across the region.

“We’re dealing with digital trade, we’re dealing with localization barriers. These are all important initiatives that help further the integration of this region and we view our work in TPP as supportive of this overall effort as well,” he said during a press briefing Sunday, after the close of the two-day APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting held here.

Froman said five years ago, APEC leaders indicated various ways of achieving regional integration, including TPP, as well as the ASEAN plus three, ASEAN plus six, and other initiatives.

”So we don’t view them as contradictory at all, we see TPP as one of the building blocks, along with several others, that contribute to a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific,” he said.

Froman noted that TPP is intended to be an open platform, where countries that are “able and willing to meet its standards could join, with the consent of all the parties and consistent with each of our domestic processes.”

The US is currently negotiating the TPP trade agreement with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

It aims to expand the initial group to include more countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines. PNA (ldv)

“To my mind, as far as our coalition is concerned, he (Roxas) is at the top of the list. Now, we are still undergoing a lot of consultations and we will have a consensus. And there might be a little more delay when we announce, probably after the SONA (State of the Nation Address), who we will be endorsing but we just want this dialogue to be as thorough and encompassing as possible with all the sectors that are involved in the coalition,” he said during an interview with members of the Malacañang Press Corps following the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015, held at the Marikina Elementary School in Marikina City.

The President said he is surprised at reports that suggest that Secretary Roxas is not being considered as the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer.

“I find it strange na, bakit ganoon? He has demonstrated quite a wide range of expertise in so many different assignments. He is a valuable member of the Cabinet. He has been a staunch leader of the party, even during the days that we were in the opposition. And kumbaga, he has demonstrated, even the ability to sacrifice. Previously, for instance, when he gave way to me,” he said.

In September 2009, then senator Roxas, who was also president of the Liberal Party, withdrew his presidential candidacy to make way for Aquino to become the party’s standard-bearer, agreeing instead to run as the latter’s vice president.

When asked if Vice President Jejomar Binay is still “the man to beat in the 2016 presidential elections,” the President said, “The impression has been that he has been at the forefront of the challenge as we look at all of the surveys. But at the same time, I think that question rests on his ability to be able to answer all of the allegations that he is being confronted with at this present time.” PND (ag)

“Kung gusto nila akong kausapin tungkol dito sa BBL, hindi naman ako nanghihimasok, inimbita nila akong magbigay ng opinyon sa isang pagpupulong, bakit hindi natin gawin iyon? Handang-handa tayo doon,” President Aquino said during an interview with the Malacañang Press Corps following the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 event, held at the Marikina Elementary School in Marikina City on Monday.

President Aquino said this meeting would depend on Senate President Franklin Drilon.

“Hihintayin ko ang kumpas ng Senate President kung kailangan o hindi. Siyempre, may parte na gusto kong makipanayam sa kanila. Ayoko naman sabihin nila nakikialam ako sa kanila dahil independent body sila,” he further said.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law, a top priority of the Aquino administration, was approved by the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee last week.

The bill, which will create a new political entity to replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was passed after the President met with the lawmakers.

“Noong kinausap ko ang mga kongresista, sabi ko sa kanila: Pwede naman natin itong himay-himayin ng sobra sobra e. Sa Ingles, ang tawag nila nickel and dime me to death. Ngayon ang sabi ko rin sa kanila, iyong problema na hindi natutugunan o hindi binibigyan ng solusyon, hindi naman lumiliit, potensyal lumaki, at habang binabawasan natin nang binabawasan ang pagkakataon na itong bagong formula para magkaroon talaga nang ganap na katahimikan ay magkaroon ng pagkakataong mabuhay,” said President Aquino.

When asked to comment on the Senate committee report submitted by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago last week noting that the BBL would require Charter change, the President replied that “that is an opinion at this point in time”.

He also stressed that the BBL “will withstand the test of constitutionality.”

“Natandaan niyo may ad na lumabas itong mga ConCom (Constitutional Commission) members who crafted the Constitution. Maraming beses kapag nagtatalo ang mga abugado, basahin niyo ang libro tungkol sa debate ng ConCom. Dito, hindi na kailangan basahin ang libro dahil ‘yung mga buhay pa na miyembro ng ConCom mismo na ang nagsasabi at ipinaliwanag ang constitutionality ng BBL,” the President explained.

“Naintindihan natin maraming pagkakataon para makatawag ng pansin lalo na’t ang napipintong eleksyon ay darating na sa susunod na taon. Pero isang mahinahon na diskusyunan at pakikipag-uganayan, pagsuri nila dito sa BBL, palagay ko makikita nilang it will withstand the test of constitutionality,” he said. PND (jm)

“We will still fly the routes that we fly based on international law and the various conventions, agreements that have been entered into through various decades,” he said during an interview with members of the Malacañang Press Corps following the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 event, held at the Marikina Elementary School in Marikina City on Monday.

The President however pointed out that China has not declared an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the area.

“Siguro, baka dapat hindi muna natin pag-isipan na tayo ang pag-iinitan ng isang bansa or another, dahil wala pa ring idini-declare namang ADIZ doon sa tinatahak ‘nung ating mga carriers, iyong mga normal na lumilipad dito sa mga rutang ito,” he explained.

President Aquino said that the country will nonetheless continue to exercise its rights over its exclusive economic zone.

“We have maritime awareness, we know what is happening, and we have a calculated response to all of these incidents that are happening. Bottom line is, it has to be clear, we will defend our rights to the best of our abilities,” he said.
According to reports, the Chinese Navy told the US aircraft to leave the area eight times as it flew over the artificial islands that China has been building in the disputed territory.

China claims sovereignty over most of the contested area but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims. PND (ag)

The Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela are annual activities of the Department of Education held two weeks before the official start of classes, during which teachers, parents and students take part in cleaning classrooms in public schools nationwide.

“Nakakatuwa nga po, na isang taon bago matapos ang ating termino, ay nakikita natin sa okasyong tulad ng Brigada Eskwela at Oplan Balik Eswela ang patuloy na pagpapamalas ng bayanihan,” he said in his speech during the event held at the Marikina Elementary School in Marikina City.

The President noted that under Brigada Eskwela, 46,624 public schools across the country become the center of community, where citizens meet to help clean and repair classrooms, while under Oplan Balik Eskwela, various government agencies and other stakeholders from the private sector make preparations to ensure the smooth opening of classes.

He cited the Department of Public Works and Highways for building classrooms, the Department of Trade and Industry for stabilizing prices of school supplies, the Department of Interior and Local Government for coordinating with local government units and the police; and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for providing weather reports.

“Ang nakakatuwa nga po, sa mga aktibidad na ito, talaga naman pong muli akong nabubuhayan at lalong ginaganahang magsumikap tungo sa makabuluhang pagbabago. Dito po, kitang-kita ko ang tunay na laman ng puso ng mga disenteng Pilipino: Handang magkaisa, handang magtrabaho para sa kanyang kapwa, lalung-lalo na nga po sa kabataan; handang makiambag tungo sa positibo, at hindi puro reklamo lamang habang wala namang naipepresenta o naidadagdag sa solusyon,” he said, extending his thanks to all the teachers, parents, students and other volunteers, as well as agencies and companies that joined the activities.

The Chief Executive also stressed the importance of education.

“Edukasyon ang pangunahing haligi ng ating agenda ng malawakang kaunlaran para sa ating bansa. Lalo pa po ngayong umaangat ang ekonomiya at lumalawak ang pagkakataon sa ating lipunan, tinututukan natin ang pagsasanay ng ating kabataan, upang magkaroon sila ng sapat na kaalaman upang punan ang mga bumubukas na trabaho,” he said.

President Aquino said that this year, the Education Department, with the help of the private sector, is eyeing the construction of 31,728 classrooms, in addition to the 33,607 classrooms completed last year.

“Ang tinitiyak ko sa inyo, hangga’t tayo po’y nagtutulungan at tumutuon sa positibo, hangga’t tayo’y sumasagwan sa iisang direksyon, at hangga’t tayo po’y matibay na nananalig sa Poong Maykapal, gaano man katayog ang ating mga pangarap, maaabot natin ito; makakapagpamana tayo sa mga susunod na salinlahi ng isang bansang tunay nating maipagmamalaki; Isang bansa kung saan nagbubunga ang ating mga pinagsisikapan; isang bansang makatarungan, at tumatamasa ng malawakang kaunlaran,” he said.

During the occasion, the President was welcomed by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Representative Romero Quimbo (Second District), Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman, School Governance Operation Division Chief Dr. Elizalde Cena, Marikina Elementary School Principal Eugenia Martin, and TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva. PND (jm)

“We will complement APEC’s initiatives on promoting SMEs’ participation in GVCs (global value chains) with an agenda that will support micro and small enterprises as direct exporters,” they said in a statement issued here after the two-day APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting.

To advance APEC’s efforts on MSME internationalization, they agreed to recommend innovative actions on trade facilitation, e-commerce, financing and institutional support.

APEC trade ministers support initiatives to facilitate access of these companies to free trade agreements (FTA) or regional trade agreement (RTA) by simplifying and streamlining rules of origin procedural and documentary requirements.

They said actions to streamline customs-related rules and regulations and assist in the compliance of MSMEs; and measures to widen financing options and develop infrastructure to facilitate lending to them are also imperative.

Trade ministers also underscored the important role of the information communications technology (ICT) and e-commerce in expanding internationalization opportunities for micro and small enterprises providing goods and services.

“We welcome strengthened information sharing and stronger coordination across relevant APEC fora to enhance complementarity of projects and initiatives and promote efficient use of resources in implementing the Boracay Action Agenda,” they added.

SMEs are considered engines of growth and employment in the APEC region. Over 97 percent of businesses in APEC are SMEs, providing jobs to more than half of the workers in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Philippines has been strongly advocating for the interests of MSMEs in global and regional trade.

In a press briefing, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo noted that dismantling trade barriers is a continuing effort for APEC economies.

“But I think the significant thing that was achieved in this MRT is that they put a little more focus in terms of assisting micro and small enterprises. We will continue the work in terms of pursuing more activities in strengthening the participation of MSMEs in global value chains,” said Domingo, also APEC 2015 MRT Chair.

During the two-day MRT held here, the 21 APEC trade ministers also discussed matters that seek to enhance the regional economic integration agenda such as efforts in line with the achievement of the Bogor Goals and APEC’s work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. PNA (ldv)

Domingo was asked by the media what was achieved during the one-and-a-half day MRT meeting with regards to the FTAAP.

“As agreed last year in Beijing that we will complete the terms of reference this year, so that was endorsed. And we will complete the study by end of next year, so that was decided during the MRT,” he said as a response.

Asia-Pacific leaders who met in China last year agreed to move towards a new free trade zone strongly backed by Beijing. They agreed to launch a study into the FTAAP.

Also during the press conference, Domingo read the APEC MRT statement, with the ministers reaffirming their commitment to promote trade and investment liberalization and strengthen economic cooperation to achieve inclusive growth in the Asia Pacific region.

We are committed to building an open economy in the Asia Pacific region featuring innovative development, interconnected growth and shared interests,” the ministers said in the statement.

“We shared ideas and exchanged views on important trade and investment issues to build consensus on how we can work together effectively and efficiently for the betterment of the APEC region.”

They said that as the world economy still struggles to gain traction and as the world trade lags behind its potential, growth has remained uneven and below the pace necessary to generate the jobs that the APEC economies need.

And as the leaders of a dynamic region, which accounts for 46 percent of the world trade, 57 percent of the global GDP and 39 percent of the global population, the ministers said they have an obligation to expand trade and spur economic activity.

The goal is to attain a strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth for the entire Asia Pacific region, they said. PND (as)

United States (US) Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman said the Philippines’ chairmanship of the APEC this year has focused on furthering integration across the region.

“We’re dealing with digital trade, we’re dealing with localization barriers. These are all important initiatives that help further the integration of this region and we view our work in TPP as supportive of this overall effort as well,” he said during a press briefing Sunday, after the close of the two-day APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting held here.

Froman said five years ago, APEC leaders indicated various ways of achieving regional integration, including TPP, as well as the ASEAN plus three, ASEAN plus six, and other initiatives.

”So we don’t view them as contradictory at all, we see TPP as one of the building blocks, along with several others, that contribute to a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific,” he said.

Froman noted that TPP is intended to be an open platform, where countries that are “able and willing to meet its standards could join, with the consent of all the parties and consistent with each of our domestic processes.”

The US is currently negotiating the TPP trade agreement with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

It aims to expand the initial group to include more countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines. PNA (ldv)