Up to DFA to handle US envoy–Palace
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
Malacañang is “concerned” about US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.’s claim that 40 percent of male tourists come to the country for sex and will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) what to do about it.
Asked by reporters if the government was considering a diplomatic protest, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that if and when Thomas clarified his statement, then “we will leave it to the DFA to decide on the best course of action.’’
Lacierda also said Thursday the Palace wanted Thomas to explain where he got his figures after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima denied that the statistics had come from her department.
“Of course, we’re supporting the query of the Department of Justice,’’ Lacierda told reporters, referring to De Lima’s letter to Thomas seeking clarification of the statement that the envoy made in a judicial conference on human smuggling two weeks ago.
Concerned
“We are concerned. Hence, two things, Secretary De Lima has already written a letter to Ambassador Thomas and, number two, we will ask the DFA with respect to the statement of Ambassador Thomas,’’ Lacierda said.
Lacierda told a Palace briefing that he texted De Lima the other day and she told him that “it was not true’’ that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had provided the statistics to Thomas.
“She said the DOJ does not collect statistics on sex tourism. Because, in the first place, like she said, we don’t ask around and ask them, are you sex tourists?’’ he said.
Lacierda said the Palace therefore wanted to know “where that basis came from.’’
The presidential spokesperson stressed that “no tourism secretary,’’ in general, had ever promoted or encouraged sex tourism as a policy or program.
“We find it serious that a claim was made since we don’t promote the Philippines as a haven for sex. In fact, we’re promoting the Philippines as a tourism place where you find diving, ecotourism and a whole-some family destination,’’ Lacierda said. Christine O. Avendaño
