Philippines respects UK decision to leave European Union

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines respects the decision of the British people through a transparent and democratic process to leave the European Union as Manila looks forward to continuing ties with both the EU and the United Kingdom.

“As a nation that shares with the United Kingdom adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law, the Philippines respects this decision of the British people,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday in a statement.

The DFA said the Philippines also “deeply values its relations with the European Union both bilaterally and as a part of the ASEAN.”

“The Philippines looks forward to continuing its ties with both the United Kingdom and the European Union towards a more prosperous future,” the DFA said.

The Philippines’ relationship with the UK has grown steadily in the past 70 years. Bilateral trade between the two countries reaches about $1.8 billion per year, with the bulk focused on manufacturing and agriculture.

The UK is also home to some 200,000 Filipinos and Filipino-British citizens. In 2015, the Philippines welcomed 154,589 British tourists to the country.

The people of Britain voted for a British exit, or Brexit, from the EU in a historic referendum last June 23. The leave votes won, 52 percent to 48 percent.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad said on Monday that Britain’s vote to leave the EU in an historic referendum would not have an impact on Filipinos working and living in the UK as they came to the country under  a “completely different immigration regime.”

Ahmad explained that the UK has an independent migration and visa policy, since it is not part of Schengen.

He said the Filipinos came to the UK based on UK rules that would not change. Moreover, he said the Filipinos belong to a category of workers that “we continue to need.” 

European Council President Donald Tusk said the UK’s vote to leave the EU was an “historic moment” but “not a moment for hysterical reactions.”

Until the UK formally leaves the EU, EU law will continue to apply to and within the UK, including the laws on rights and obligations.