MALACAÑANG said Tuesday that it would respect the decision of Brussels if it will cancel the scheduled royal visit of Princess Astrid to the Philippines next year.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the government is yet to receive a formal communication about the possible cancellation of Princess Astrid's visit.
"She has her own standards by which she has to act. Although we have not gotten any formal communication regarding those matters, this is in a sense a matter of speculation. Although we respect her values, we respect her position," Abella said.
Princess Astrid, sister of Belgian monarch King Philippe, is set to lead a high-level economic team to the Philippines to talk about possible investments in the country.
In a report from newspaper La Libre Belgique, Brussels State Secretary for External Trade Cecile Jodogne said that "it will be difficult to ensure the visit goes ahead" amid President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement that he would be "happy to slaughter" some three million drug addicts.
Jodogne requested for an emergency meeting with partners of the Agency for External Trade "to discuss whether the royal visit to the Philippines will still go ahead."
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the government is still verifying the report with the Belgian government.
Abella said that despite the President's remarks, the country's relationship with Belgium and other members of the European Union (EU) would not be affected as long as the government equips a "decent and competitive" environment.
"The businessmen will come when there is a stable condition, and when there is a competitive environment if it is to their advantage. In other words, we have to deal with the European Union in separate situations," the presidential spokesperson said.
"As far as we can see, as long as we provide a decent, competitive environment, I believe they will come," he added. (Sunnex)