Meco head’s apology doesn’t bind gov’t — solon 02/21/2011 By Angie M. Rosales

Meco head’s apology doesn’t bind gov’t — solon

02/21/2011
By Angie M. Rosales
The recent apology issued by Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) chairman Amado Perez to Taiwan for the arrest and deportation of 14 of its nationals to mainland China instead of Taiwan should not bind the government since it is not an official as Perez does not have any legal personality to issue an official apology, Sen. Franklin Drilon said yesterday.

Drilon noted that Meco is not a consular office of the country but a mere government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC). Meco, nonetheless, is the de facto embassy of the country to Taiwan only that the government recognizes the one-China policy that considers Taiwan as a province of the mainland.

“He cannot bind the Philippines. He does not have the authority (to speak on behalf of the country) because he’s merely a chairman of the GOCC. He’s just like the chair of the MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System), SSS (Social Security System), also GOCCs. He cannot bind the country,” he said.

The Taiwanese government reported the statement issued by Perez amid insistence of Malacañang on the propriety of the move on the deportation of the said individuals who allegedly swindled $20 million in an international scam targeting mainland Chinese..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110221hed4.html