Senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada (center) speaks before mediamen during a news forum at Annabel’s Restaurant, Quezon City on Saturday. INQUIRER.net photo / Katrina Hallare
MANILA, Philippines—Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Saturday said that he is okay with Chinese nationals working in the country, as long as they are “legal and properly documented.”
“Ako naniniwala aka sa Filipino first policy,” the senatorial aspirant initially said when asked what he thinks of the rise of Chinese workers in the country.
Estrada shared his sentiments during a media forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.
The sudden surge in number of Chinese workers has become a public concern, as such foreigners were said to be taking away job opportunities for Filipinos.
Estrada said that if he had his way, he would not let foreigners dominate the country’s work force.
But when the subject of Chinese workers are mostly being hired in the construction industry, Estrada replied: “As long as they are legal here in the Philippines, properly documented, walang problema.”
“But as long as they are found to be illegal, who are working without any documents, they have to be deported,” Estrada added.
READ: 130K Chinese workers not paying taxes
Aside from this, the senatorial candidate also wants those who hired illegal Chinese worker to face charges too.
“Kung napatunayang fake yung kanilang mga dokumento, dapat damay-damay na, ” he explained. “Kung sino yang nag-facilitate ng kanilang papeles, kailangan pati rin ‘yun ikulong.” /jpv
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