"x x x.
"The prevalence of corruption in the Philippines – including in the judiciary – has remained a significant barrier to trade with the United States, a report by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) shows.
“Corruption is a pervasive and longstanding problem in the Philippines. Both foreign and domestic investors have expressed concern about the propensity of Philippine courts and regulators to stray beyond matters of legal interpretation into policymaking, as well as about the lack of transparency in judicial and regulatory processes,” the USTR said in its 2017 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.
“Concerns also have been raised about courts being influenced by bribery and their improperly issuing temporary restraining orders to impede legitimate commerce. The United States will continue to urge the Philippines to address these issues,” the agency said."
x x x."
