Robredo urges transparency in PHL-China deals

(Eagle News) — Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, Nov. 21, urged the Duterte administration to be “transparent” in the bilateral deals signed with China on the first day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day state visit.

“The Filipino people should be informed how deals — such as the Memorandum of Understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, the Infrastructure Cooperation Program, and, most notably, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development — will benefit our country and serve our national interest,” she said.

Robredo said apart from this, the administration should “stand firm and exert all diplomatic means to assert our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, consistent with the our historic victory before the arbitral tribunal more than two years ago, referring to the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that rejected China’s excessive claims over almost the entire South China Sea.

“Our sovereignty must not be compromised in any agreement we enter into with any country,” Robredo said.

“Our interests should always come first when we deepen relations with other nations, especially at a time when majority of our people continue to contend with daily challenges brought about by elevated prices and lack of livelihood opportunities,” she said.