Thomas: Phl not ready for TPP due to constitutional issues

MANILA, Philippines - The United States is not optimistic about the Philippines joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership because of constitutional issues.

US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. said in recent interview with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. that the Philippines would have to work very hard for full membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

“The Philippines has ways to go on that before we can approach the other nine countries. The Philippines will have to work very, very hard on that issue. Look, there are constitutional issues, amendments of the Philippine … we have to deal with ,” Thomas said.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a multilateral free trade agreement that aims to further liberalize the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.

“Let it be their decision whether they (Philippines) are interested fully in the Trans- Pacific Partnership. You have to build on things and let us build things slowly so we get it right because the TPP is not open to other countries right now anyway. Let us help the Filipinos get it right in the way they choose to get it right and then we can talk about the TPP,” he added.

In a joint statement by the Philippines and the US issued on January 27 in Washington following the second Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, the two sides said the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro and Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis to Manila would take place before the visit of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to the US in March.

The two sides will discuss economic issues and the interest of the Philippines in potentially joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership during the visit.

Del Rosario and Gazmin will engage in a high-level consultation at a joint ministerial meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.