‘Probe inclusion of questionable firms in China deals’

Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged Malacañang yesterday to immediately find out how a number of Chinese firms with questionable status were included in the list of deals signed during President Duterte’s recent China state visit.

Lacson said the World Bank had blacklisted one of these questionable Chinese firms for fraudulent practices.

“I hope these are mere due diligence flaws and lack of oversight instead of a deliberate and, worse, malevolent act of conspiracy with these firms of questionable integrity for some pecuniary considerations,” Lacson said in a text message.

This was a serious matter that Malacañang should address right away, he said.

“Nevertheless, it could erode whatever goodwill President Duterte has with the Filipino people,” the senator continued. “Having said that, whoever is responsible must be dealt with accordingly and with dispatch. Malacañang should lose no time in investigating the matter and get to the bottom of this embarrassing issue.”

Last week, Sen. Risa Hontiveros raised her concerns about the loans and deals from China, which she said might not be in the best interest of the country.

Citing past experiences with Chinese firms like the questioned NBN- ZTE and Northrail projects, Hontiveros said Chinese loans and agreements were generally lopsided in favor of China.

“Firstly, it appears that we traded the West Philippine Sea to China for these loans,” Hontiveros said. “On this basis alone, we are at the losing end of this bargain. “Secondly, Chinese loans, while devoid of attached neoliberal economic prescriptions, come with grossly unfair and unconscionable terms that will bind us to Chinese contractors and Chinese state industries.”

Hontiveros said while loans are not inherently bad, President Duterte must see to it that these would not be abused or would not compromise Philippine laws and sovereignty.

“These loans must benefit the people without imposing an unnecessary burden,” she said.