Senator Chiz Escudero on the US Ambassador's statement that 40%
of foreign men who visit PHL come for sexual tourism

Whether it is 1% or 40%, it is a serious issue that the government must address. However, I would like to know the source of and basis of the good Ambassador for his claim and assertion. I task the Department of Foreign Affairs to make the necessary representations and inquiries with the US Ambassador where these figures came from.

It is unfortunate that he made such a public statement on the heels of President Benigno Aquino III's visit to the United States. The timing of the statement is in bad taste or uncalled for. It could have been properly channeled to the Department of Tourism, the National Bureau of Investigation or the Bureau of Immigration but certainly not through a press conference.

While it is true that we are recipients of certain aids from the US government and without making excuses for the misgivings of our law enforcement, it is not for foreign entities to rate us or grade us or whether we pass their benchmark or not, especially when no bases are given. We are not their students and they are not our teachers to say the least.