Government won’t file diplomatic protest vs US envoy
Thursday, October 6, 2011
MANILA (Updated) — The government has no plan to file a diplomatic protest against United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. for saying that 40 percent of male tourists visit the country for sex.
The decision came amid lawmakers’ calls for the government to not let Thomas get away with the issue.
But presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace would want to know first the basis of Thomas for issuing such statement, which several lawmakers and even Justice Secretary Leila de Lima find as “offensive”.
“It’s already speculation at this point if we want to file something when we don’t even know yet the basis of the claim of Ambassador Thomas. So we would like to ask from the good ambassador, again, the basis of his statement,” he said.
De Lima earlier wrote Thomas to ask for the basis of his claim that four of every 10 male foreigners visit the country to look for sex.
Thomas said he based his statistics on the Department of Justice (DOJ) facts, but de Lima denied having such data.
“We are more curious than offended,” said Lacierda. “I asked Secretary de Lima if it was true and she said that DOJ does not collect statistics on sex tourists. Because, in the first place, like she said, ‘we don’t ask around and ask them are you sex tourists?’.”
But despite Thomas’ statement, Lacierda said it is still premature to discuss if filing of a diplomatic protest is necessary.
If the Palace received the US envoy’s explanation, Lacierda said they will let the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to decide what best course of action to take.
He, meanwhile, refused to comment on the manner Thomas should have issued his statement, saying the Palace is in no position to dictate on the ambassador.
Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson and some other senators criticized Thomas for issuing his statement.
Lacson said the envoy’s account was an “assault on our national integrity” as it gives the impression that the Philippines can only attract tourists through sex tours. He stressed that the country has numerous scenic spots that could interest tourists.
Senator Francis Escudero, for his part, said Thomas should have been more careful with his statement and should have not issued his statement in public.
Escudero said the information could have been shared with the Philippines through a confidential letter and not at a forum with judges.
Thomas bared the figures in a judicial conference on human smuggling two weeks ago.
Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas also commented on the issue, calling the US ambassador’s claim as “improper and unethical.”
Acenas, who chairs the Cagayan de Oro City Council’s committee on tourism, condemned Thomas’s statement, saying it is degrading on the part of Filipino women.
“The US ambassador should not generalize his statement without showing any detail. Let them show data,” Acenas told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Acenas is reportedly looking for “a possible action” on the matter.
At present, Cagayan de Oro is among the top four tourists destinations in the country with its adventure tourism, particularly water rafting.
For Lalae Garcia, convenor of Tubaga Movement, however, the statement of Thomas is a wake-up call for the public.
Tubaga Movement is a group advocating the rights of women and children who are victims of violence and any form of abuse.
Garcia said that in her assessment, the claim of the US ambassador is not offensive because it is the reality and that everybody deals with it as a challenge.
“It may be sad, it may be an insult and offensive but it’s true and I don’t think the ambassador can issue such statement without basis,” Garcia said.
She challenged the government, instead, to do something about Thomas’s revelation by conducting an investigation and restructure the tourism policy.
Senator Escudero earlier said that whether it is one or 40 percent, it is still a serious issue that the government must address.
Escudero had asked the DFA to make a necessary representation and inquiries with Thomas on where these figures come from.
“I would like to know the source of the data and the basis of the good Ambassador for his claim and assertion,” Escudero said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario explained to Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, that the figure “reflects US government estimates.”
He said the estimate came from US officials working with the Philippines “to close clubs that cater to pedophiles.”
He admitted though that Thomas’s statement “may have been taken out of context.” (Jill Beltran/With Annabelle L. Ricalde of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/10/06/government-won-t-file-diplomatic-protest-vs-us-envoy-183538
This wine shop in Manila Philippines makes wine shopping a really rewarding and exciting exercise. Wine shops in Pampanga should always have an element of surprise so that customers and wine lovers can enjoy a little bit of thrill when they go to a wine shop in Manila to look for a good bottle of wine in Clark Pampanga.
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.
Family outings, picnics, company outings and other events for up to 300 can be held in the picnic grounds of this wine shop. Events that have been successfully organized here include family fun days and BBQ picnics. These are some of the things that visitors to Clark Philippines particular look forward. Residents and tourists in Angeles City and Subic also come to Clark Freeport to partake in the fun at this Clark wine shop.
This wine shop’s vast selection of vintage wines makes it possible for Yats Wine Cellars to offer a unique line-up of wines for every private wine party, wine tasting or wine dinners. Guests of these private wine parties are treated to a rare experience of vintage wine not seen in wine shops in major cities in Philippines or even in Asia.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com
While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
www.YatsRestaurant.com
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion
www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
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