Malacañang said on Thursday that the country is against forced labor, as it expressed optimism for a quick resolution to the Philippine-United States negotiation regarding the US’s imposition of a 12.5 percent tariff on Philippine goods due to forced labor issues.

“Kailangan natin maging optimistic, kailangan natin ipakita talaga na hindi tayo lumalabag sa batas,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

“Siguro with all the laws that we have and the laws being implemented here in our country, we can say na… we can prove them na the accusation that we are into forced labor is wrong,” she added.

Castro said negotiations are ongoing, citing Trade Secretary Cris Roque’s statement that the Philippines’ labor laws and the government’s position against forced labor will be among the key issues discussed during the talks, and the country has many laws prohibiting forced labor that entail stiff penalties for violators.

“Marami tayong batas na nagpapatunay na ito ay ipinagbabawal at ito ay may parusa kapag nahuli na nagkakaroon ang employers at nagpapatupad ng forced labor,” she said. “So ngayon, wala pang timeline na ibinibigay, pero patuloy ang pakikipagnegosasyon at pakikipag-coordinate with the USTR (US Trade Representative).”

The US, under the Trump administration, imposed tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including the Philippines, citing concerns over the implementation and enforcement of measures prohibiting the importation of goods produced through forced labor. Presidential News Desk