THIRD YOUH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
Baguio City

Resolution No.
Series of 2007

Introduced by HONORABLE BRIGETTE N. SERVINO

RESOLUTION DIRECTING APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEES TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE MAD PURSUIT OF BILATERAL FREE TRADE AND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP OF THE PHILIPPINES, PRIMARILY AS PART OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATION BROTHERHOOD WITH CHINA.

WHEREAS, Chinese imported goods such as drugs and health products, cosmetic products, foods, toys and other gadgets that offer cheaper prices are undeniably rampant circulating all over the country;

WHEREAS, many local small and medium enterprises that produces locally made goods and services in the country began to fall I the local market and even in foreign markets that also weaken the country’s economy;

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos”;

WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that “The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use human natural resources, which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets, but the State shall protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices”;

WHEREAS, Constitution recognizes the need to attract foreign capital to develop major industries but seeks to ensure that Filipinos will continue to be the first in their own land;

WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 10 of the Constitution provides that “ In the grant of rights, privileges and concession covering the national economy and patrimony, the State shall give preference to qualified Filipinos and the State shall regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments within its national jurisdiction and in accordance with its national goal and priorities”;

WHEREAS, Bilateral Free Trade Agreement of the country with China would lead to the near total loss of national control over investment and deprive government of its ability to conduct industrial policy and strategic planning;

WHEREAS, many Filipinos became unemployed, many domestic goods were set aside and preferred the cheaper Chinese products;

WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 12 of Constitution provides that “ The State shall promote preferential use of Filipino labor , domestic materials and locally produced goods and adopt measures that help make them competitive”;

WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 13 of the Constitution states that “The State shall pursue trade policy that serves the general benefit and utilizes all forms and arrangements of exchange on the basis of equality and reciprocity”;

WHEREAS, most of the imported goods from China are substandard that pose a serious threat to the health of the public;

WHEREAS, Article XVI, Section 9 of the Constitution provides that “The State shall protect consumers from trade malpractices and substandard or hazardous products”;

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the great risk, poor Filipinos are mostly encouraged to buy Chinese products because of cheap prices;

WHEREAS, there is a need for urgent actions to minimize possible danger to the welfare of the public and to the country’s economic status.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the House to direct appropriate House Committees to investigate, in aid of legislation, the med pursuit of Bilateral Free Trade and Economic Partnership of the Philippines, primarily as part of the ASEAN Brotherhood with China in order to come up with corrective legislation to address the said problem.


Adopted,

BRIGETTE N.SERVINO