JPEPA timeline

Inquirer

Published on Page A23 of the October 25, 2006 issue of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dec. 4, 2002 -- The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is initiated during a visit by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Japan. Discussions begin in a working group and a joint coordinating team from the two countries.

May 2003 -- The Philippine Coordinating Committee is created to study and negotiate the proposed JPEPA. The committee is headed jointly by Department of Trade and Industry Senior Undersecretary Thomas G. Aquino and Foreign Undersecretary Edsel Custodio.

February 2004 -- Formal negotiations between the Philippines and Japan start.

November 2004 -- Party-list Representatives Mario Joyo Aguja and Lorenzo Tañada III call for an inquiry into the JPEPA after receiving complaints that the DTI had denied requests for a copy of the proposed JPEPA.

Nov. 29, 2004 -- President Arroyo and Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agree on major elements of a JPEPA that would lead to the immediate removal of tariffs on certain fruits, vehicles, steel products, electronic appliances and garments.

Feb. 28, 2005 -- House Special Committee on Globalization starts hearings on the JPEPA but still fails to secure a copy of the proposed JPEPA from DTI.

Nov. 2, 2005 -- Aquino informs Aguja that the draft JPEPA will be provided after a review of the proposed agreement has been conducted.

Dec. 6, 2005 -- Party-list lawmakers and NGOs go to the Supreme Court to seek a restraining order to prevent the government from signing JPEPA.

May 25, 2006 -- Solicitor General Antonio Eduardo Nachura tells Supreme Court it has no jurisdiction over treaties being negotiated.

Sept. 9, 2006 -- President Arroyo and Prime Minister Koizumi sign the JPEPA in Finland ahead of the Asia-Europe Meeting.

Sept. 11, 2006 -- DTI furnishes Congress with copies of the JPEPA on the first working day after the treaty was signed. It also uploaded the text of the JPEPA in its website at http://business. gov.ph/filedirec tory/JPEPA. pdf.