EU aid at stake in the Philippines in the midst of a political firestorm

Devex
By Jenny Lei Ravelo

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo by: Sikarin Thanachaiary / World Economic Forum / CC BY-NC-SA

Two days after news broke that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would accept no new European Union grants, there has yet to be any formal statement, and EU officials remain in the dark as to the true terms of such a decision. Amid heightened confusion over the refusal, the multilateral donor has released a video showcasing its array of projects in the Philippines.

Titled EU cooperation with the Philippines: Ties that bind, the video mentions how the EU has contributed over 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) over the past four decades toward poverty eradication, and in raising standards of living in the Philippines. As if for emphasis, the EU video notes in bold red letters how it is one of the “largest grant donors” in the country.

Two days after news broke that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would accept no new European Union grants, there has yet to be any formal statement, and EU officials remain in the dark as to the true terms of such a decision. Amid heightened confusion over the refusal, the multilateral donor has released a video showcasing its array of projects in the Philippines.

Titled EU cooperation with the Philippines: Ties that bind, the video mentions how the EU has contributed over 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) over the past four decades toward poverty eradication, and in raising standards of living in the Philippines. As if for emphasis, the EU video notes in bold red letters how it is one of the “largest grant donors” in the country.

The deadline of submission is on May 26.

Relations between Duterte and some of the Philippines’ long standing donors such as the United States and the EU have been restrained since the latter two raised concerns on the human rights situation under the current administration. Duterte has previously remarked about rejecting aid from these donors, arguing the Philippines will not “beg for it.”