MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday assured that he would give “due diligence” if his city should forge projects with foreign companies, including those blacklisted firms form China.
“If they (Chinese firms) did not violate any provisions of our law [while] doing business in our country, why not? Philippine Law must prevail always, we are a sovereign country. But sabi nga in due diligence, pagsisiyasat, lalo na kung pinag-uusapan natin billions of dollars… So kailangan maobserabahan natin ‘yun para hindi tayo malagay sa alanganin,” Moreno said during an online forum of Focap.
Moreno responded to a query about his action if he will partner with Chinese-backed firms behind the artificial island-building in the South China Sea.
(If they did not violate any provisions of our law [while] doing business in our country, why not? Philippine Law must prevail always, we are a sovereign country. But as what I have said in due diligence, scrutiny, especially if we are talking about billions of dollars. So we need to observe those so that we won’t be put in trouble.)
Moreno emphasized that all foreign companies are welcome in Manila but the laws of the country must be followed.
“Welcome lahat, all nationals all over the world are all welcome in Manila. We are certain about our rules and our laws. We will protect it but in the same manner, you respect our laws, the same [way] we would do if [we] would go to [your] country,” he said.
Specifically, the local government will be looking into the “bad backgrounds of the foreign companies,” the city mayor stressed.
“Kung ang magkokontrata, lokal na pamahalaan, of course, I will deal with company with good standing immaterial of their nationality. (But) I will not deal with those companies with bad backgrounds or may mga responsibilidad na hindi ginawa. Why would you expose the local government unit in [that] particular company?” Moreno said.
(If the local government, will have a contract, of course, I will deal with the company with good standing immaterial of their nationality. But I will not deal with those companies with bad backgrounds or those with unaccomplished responsibilities.)
“So, I will do my due diligence kung ako ang makikipagkontrata as the city government. Kasi ang trabaho ko is to protect the general interest of Manila,” he added.
(So, I will do my due diligence if I will enter a contract as the city government. Because my job is to protect the general interest of Manila.)
Last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. asked the government to halt its contracts with the 24 Chinese companies that were blacklisted by the US after being found responsible for the massive reclamation in the disputed areas of South China Sea.
But President Rodrigo Duterte stressed that the government will push through with the projects, particularly the Sangley Point International Airport, which is a joint undertaking of Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. and blacklisted China company Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC).
Moreno previously sought the deportation of two Chinese nationals behind the beauty products with a label of “Binondo, Manila, Province of China.” The company of the said Chinese nationals violated Manila’s laws as well as “misrepresented” the city of Manila, according to the mayor.