Malacañang Palace said Wednesday that all transactions under the proposed Pax Silica initiative will be structured to prevent any disadvantage to the Philippines or its citizens, following renewed scrutiny of the country’s role in the US-led semiconductor and technology corridor.
Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed his administration to ensure that Pax Silica investments generate benefits for the country without compromising the welfare and rights of Filipinos.
“Nagsalita din po ang Pangulo. Hindi maaring gumawa ng anumang transaksyon na ang Pilipinas o mga Pilipino ang siyang madedehado (The President has already spoken about this. We cannot enter into any transaction that would put the Philippines or Filipinos at a disadvantage),” Castro said.
“Kailangan po natin na magkaroon ng mga investments pero hindi nangangahulugan na ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino ang magdurusa (We need investments, but that does not mean our fellow Filipinos should suffer as a consequence),” she added.
Pax Silica is designed to position the Philippines within the global supply chain for semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals – sectors where the country has historically played a limited manufacturing role. The initiative’s centerpiece, a proposed high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub in New Clark City under the Luzon Economic Corridor, is projected to generate up to 190,000 jobs, according to earlier statements from the administration.
Castro’s remarks followed the imposition of new US tariffs on Canada, after the two countries failed to reach a trade agreement, raising questions about how the Philippines might be affected by shifting trade dynamics among Pax Silica’s prospective partners.
Asked what safeguards exist for the Philippines, Castro said the government would not permit any action that violates Philippine law or Filipino rights.
“So, maliwanag po iyan. Hindi po natin pababayaan kung ano ang itinatalaga ng ating batas, hindi po natin iba-violate ang karapatan ng ating mga kapwa nating Pilipino (that is clear. We will not allow anything that goes against what is mandated by our laws, and we will not violate the rights of our fellow Filipinos),” she said.
Marcos has previously called Pax Silica a “good deal,” stating that it would create job opportunities and drive economic growth. He has also welcomed potential collaboration with the United States, European countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia, saying his administration’s priority is ensuring investments translate into job creation, skills development, technology transfer, and training for Filipino workers.
No timeline for the New Clark City facility’s groundbreaking or specific investment figures from participating countries have been disclosed. Malacañang has not indicated when further details on safeguards or partner commitments will be released.
