PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte insisted Saturday, January 27, that it would be better for the Philippines not to accept grants from the European Union (EU), which continues to be "imperialist."
The President slammed the European bloc for imposing its "own values" to the Philippines.
"I will not allow government to be beholden to no one except to the people. Why should I listen to you?" he said when he arrived early Saturday morning in Davao City from his visit to India.
"EU, you never have really ceased to be imperialists. You have always been imperialism ever since. You impose your own values, you want countries to follow a certain norm of conduct, the ethos, because this is the right way," he added.
The Philippines has rejected the P382-million worth of Trade Related Technical Assistance from the EU.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez had said the EU aid was not accepted because of the "unacceptable language" on sovereignty.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had also said that decision not to accept the assistance was consistent with Duterte's "general policy" to maintain the Philippines' independence.
Duterte maintained that he would not accept "money with conditions."
He said he would not allow EU to enforce its "own set of rules and values" to the Philippines.
"In the past, you do it physically, occupy territories of other people, other countries, subjugate them, and enforce your own set of rules and values," the President said.
"You want that we follow a standard. I told you I will not accept the money with conditions," he added. (VoxPop Philippines)
