MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said the government would investigate Chinese-run establishments that exclusively caters to Chinese nationals in the country.
“We will have to investigate if that is true. We cannot allow that to happen. They cannot be discriminating against Filipinos; it’s a public business and therefore should cater to all,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Panelo said the Palace would also ask Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to conduct a probe on the issue.
“We have to investigate first the truth of the report. We will ask Secretary Bello to conduct an investigation on the same,” he said.
The Palace official urged Filipinos who have experienced discrimination at these business establishments catering exclusively to Chinese nationals to file a complaint before the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the local government unit.
“The better step or thing to do is to file a complaint. You engage the owner or try to force yourself then you will only trigger a fight,” he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Sunday called on the government to shut down ‘Chinese-only’ restaurants and businesses.
READ: Shut down Chinese-only businesses, Lacson urges
“It’s really annoying that Filipinos are being prevented from entering restaurants [here in our country]. We’re being treated like second-class citizens in our own land,” Lacson said.
“We are here in our country. Why will you be prohibited from eating in a Chinese restaurant [here]? That [restaurant] should be immediately closed down,” he added. /ee