France denies Phl blacklisting over foreign aid fraud

The French Foreign Minister has denied reports that the Philippines was blacklisted by France over foreign aid fraud as reported in major dailies today.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement today that he sought clarification with the French government and he has been officially advised that the information is totally inaccurate.

"With relevance to the aforementioned blacklist, we have in fact been informed that there is a new list and this list does not include the Philippines," said del Rosario.

He added that the mistake apparently arose from an interview of a civil servant by a French newspaper.

Major dailies reported earlier today that the Philippines was blacklisted by France as one of the non-cooperative states in investigating foreign aid fraud. (PNA)