Palace downplays possible effects of cutting ties with Iceland

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday downplayed the possible consequences should the Philippines cut ties with Iceland after it initiated a resolution calling for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to probe the human rights violations in the country.

“How will it affect us? Ano bang relasyon natin sa Iceland in the first place. Halos wala naman tayong… ni wala tayong embassy doon, ni walang ano sila rito eh,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing. 

Asked about the possible effects of cutting ties to our trade relations, Panelo said, “Mayroon ba tayong ano [trade relations]? Gaano ba karami?”

Despite this, the Palace official said it would be up to the President to decide whether or not to cut ties with the Nordic island nation.

“Pero alam mo, lahat iyan, all of that are taken into consideration. Titingnan natin kung … what is the best interest for the country, we will pursue,” he said.

“We will leave that to the President,” he added.

Panelo was reacting to the statement of Sen. Imee Marcos suggesting that the Philippines should cut ties with Iceland.

READ: Marcos suggests PH should cut ties with Iceland after UNHRC ruling

“Hahayaan natin ang ating Pangulo na magbigay ng kaniyang pinal na hatol sa mga panawagan na putulin na natin ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa isang bansa na kagaya ng Iceland,” the President’s spokesman said. 

He said Duterte would have the “final decision” on the matter.

“Final, final decision on this matter, sapagka’t siya (Duterte) ang pangunahing arkitekto ng foreign policy sa ating bayan,” he said. /je