PIMENTEL AGAINST IMPORTATION OF SECOND-HAND
CARS FROM JAPAN UNDER JAPAN-RP ACCORD

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today asked the executive branch to clarify whether the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) would allow the importation of second-hand or used motor cars from the Philippines.

Pimentel said the importation of right hand, four-wheeled motor vehicles from Japan should not be authorized because this would adversely affect the local automotive industry and endanger the jobs of nearly 600,000 workers.

The Automotive Industry Workers Alliance, led by Francisco Mero as president, has claimed that Article 27 of the JPEPA will "legalize" the entry of second-hand cars into the Philippines. Mero said if there is no intention to allow the entry of used cars from Japan, "why was this particular provision inserted into the bilateral treaty?"

Article 27 (Cooperation in Relation to Export) of JPEPA provides: "The parties shall cooperate with each other on the utilization of appropriate mechanism on the conformance with the importing party safety and environmental standards such as roadworthiness, vehicle emissions of used four-wheel motor vehicles, as may be agreed by the parties, imported from the exporting countries."

Pimentel said he will have strong reservations about the JPEPA if indeed it allows the importation of used, right hand cars from Japan.

He identified two other objectionable features of the agreement: the apparent treatment of Filipino nurses who will work in Japanese hospitals as "second class" health workers, by requiring them to undergo on-the-job training receiving measly monthly allowance; and the possible dumping of Japanese toxic wastes into the Philippines.

Pimentel said the provision on importation of used motor vehicles from Japan under the JPEPA is not found in similar agreements forged by Japan with Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

He said these diesel-fueled vehicles will only be polluting the streets once they are brought into the country.

"Who will be benefit from the importation of these second-hand vehicles? I am sure there are certain business groups who are behind this?"

Pimentel said that unless the executive branch can satisfactorily explain its side on these three main concerns, he is not inclined to favor the ratification of the JPEPA.

He said it would be better to return the agreement to Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs to renegotiate the terms that are disadvantageous and harmful to the Philippines.