Senator Panfilo Lacson has described as “ill-advised and unjust” the travel ban earlier  imposed by the Philippine government on Taiwan due to the coronavirus scare.

This, Lacson said, as he lauded its lifting.

“It’s just good that the  travel ban was not long,” Lacson said during  an interview over DZBB on Sunday.

“If not, Taiwan could have done a retaliatory act towards the Philippines, ” he said.

The Senator  said, since the travel ban was imposed for just one day, its effect was not that much. 

Lacson  considered the lifting of the travel ban a “good move” because he believes there is really no reason other than political.

He also pointed out there was no health  concern in the reported travel ban since there were only 18 reported coronavirus cases in Taiwan among  its 23 million people.

He also warned that the 154,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan might suffer the consequences with the travel restriction imposed on Taiwan by the Philippine government.

“So it was really difficult not to think that there was  politics and the lobbying of China was not the reason to impose travel ban,” Lacson said.

The travel ban also implied the government did not do a thorough study before enforcing the ban to make health issue as the reason.

Lacson said the ban was made due to  the “One China Policy” which was a political reason.

“Hindi dapat ihalo ang health issue doon. Kasi kung health o kalusugan ng kababayan natin ang tinitingnan natin, hindi sapat na dahilan para mag-travel ban,” Lacson stressed.

On the other hand, he said this is a good indication that after all, the President listened to a rational advise  if what mattered was public good./Stacy Ang