DFA: Phl not blacklisted over foreign aid fraud
May 29, 2013 | 1:16pm
MANILA, Philippines - Contrary to previous media reports, the Philippines is actually not among the countries blacklisted by France due to foreign aid fraud, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified on Wednesday.
In a statement, DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario said the French Foreign Minister has denied reports that the Philippines was among the "non-cooperative states" in investigating foreign aid fraud.
"On the news that France blacklisted the Philippines over foreign aid fraud, I have sought clarification with the French Government and have been officially advised that this information is totally inaccurate," Del Rosario said.
"A full denial of this misinformation has been made by the French Foreign Minister. With relevance to the aforementioned blacklist, we have in fact been informed that there is a new list and this list does not include the Philippines," the DFA chief added.
Del Rosario also said the mistake apparently arose from an interview of a civil servant by a French newspaper.
Reports said France has drawn up a blacklist of 17 nations that do not help investigate foreign aid fraud, banning the use of their banks to help distribute development funds.
The blacklist expands on an already-established register of eight “non-cooperative states and territories†including Botswana, Brunei, Nauru, Guatemala and the Philippines.
Other blacklisted countries are Switzerland, Lebanon, Panama, Costa Rica, the United Arab Emirates, Dominica, Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
A Palace official said on Tuesday that the blacklist was quite surprising since there were no warnings or early indication that France would make such a move against the Philippines.
“We’re trying to get a better handle on what it really is. I understand that we’re working with them (French government) on the finance side, on several initiatives, and it seems nothing of that sort was discussed,†said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte.
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