Brussels – In a significant development, the European Union has recognized the efforts of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration in the Philippines to engage on human rights issues. This acknowledgment comes in the latest report on the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP), focusing on the period from 2020 to 2022.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Marcos administration has shown an active willingness to engage with the international community on human rights concerns. This engagement includes participation in multiple mechanisms of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The document highlights several positive steps taken by the Philippine government, notably in its approach to drug-related issues, emphasizing prevention and rehabilitation. The administration, which assumed power on June 30, 2022, following open and competitive presidential elections, has reportedly been committed to complying with the GSP+ commitments from the outset.
The European Union's report also points to progress in combating child labor, particularly in legislation against the online sexual exploitation of children and efforts to tackle trafficking in persons. The Philippines' renewed engagement with the International Labour Organization (ILO), including a high-level tripartite mission in January 2023, is cited as another positive development. Moreover, the report mentions good progress in the implementation of environmental and climate conventions, including Manila's ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and plans to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment to the Basel Convention.
In terms of corruption, the EU notes improvement in compliance with the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and steps taken by the government toward e-government, aiming to reduce the risk of corruption in administrative procedures.
However, the EU report does outline areas needing further action, emphasizing the need for more resolute measures to ensure accountability for extra-judicial killings and other human rights abuses, particularly related to the 'war on drugs.' The protection of civil society and journalists, along with the reduction of the gender pay gap and improved labor market access for all, are also highlighted as priorities. Aligning national legislation with ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise is another key area of focus.
The EU GSP scheme, under which the Philippines falls, provides preferential access to EU consumers through reduced or removed import tariffs. A beneficiary country under GSP+ must ratify 27 international conventions related to human rights, labor rights, environment, and climate, demonstrating consistent implementation. The latest EU report states that Philippine exports to the EU under GSP+ reached EUR 6.6 billion from 2020 to 2022.
The EU is currently in the process of adopting a new GSP regulation to update the list of international conventions in the scheme and enhance the monitoring and implementation of GSP+ commitments. While this legislative procedure is ongoing, the European Council and the European Parliament have voted in favor of extending the current rules until the end of 2027. EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron, speaking at the 2023 Pilipinas Conference in Makati, confirmed that the GSP+ status for the Philippines remains likely, with future monitoring phases to focus on areas needing improvement.