Japan wants to resume talks on stalled JPEPA

Japan has informed the Philippines of its desire to resume talks on the stalled Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) even though there is a pending petition before the Supreme Court for a "mandamus, prohibition and a temporary restraining order" against the conclusion of the JPEPA.

According to Senior Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino, Japan wants to send a delegation to resume talks on the stalled JPEPA negotiations.

The Japanese delegation reportedly wants to finally iron out differences on the automotive issue, the remaining major issue delaying the JPEPA.

Unfortunately, because of the pending SC petition, the DTI cannot respond positively to the request of Japan to resume the JPEPA negotiations.

Civic groups led by Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan, the Alliance of Progressive Labor and Representatives Lorenzo Tañada III, Etta Rosales, Rizza Hontiveros-Baraquel and Joel Villanueva had filed last month the petition for mandamus, prohibition and TRO with the SC.

Among those named as respondents were Senior Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Edcel Custodio, Tariff Commission chairman Edgardo Abon and several other officials.

In their petition, the civic groups and lawmakers are asking the SC to order the respondents to "provide the petitioners with the full text of the JPEPA including the Philippine and Japanese offers and all pertinent attachments and annexes."

Second, the petitioners are also asking the Court to order the respondents to "refrain from concluding the JPEPA negotiations, signing the JPEPA, and transmitting the same to the President until such full disclosure has been made to the petitioners."

Lastly, the petitioners are seeking a TRO and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction enjoining the respondents from concluding the JPEPA negotiations, signing the JPEPA, and transmitting the same to the President.