Tinio: US shouldn’t dump AI hubs on PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines should not be made into a dumping ground for artificial intelligence (AI) hubs that American states are pushing “to keep out of their backyards,” Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said on Saturday.

Tinio stressed the threat of the proposed development of the US-led Pax Silica hub in New Clark City in Tarlac, as 15 US states have already sought legislative actions to impede the development of AI data centers, as of the second quarter of 2026.

READ: PH as AI hub? It’s possible with Pax Silica–DICT

“The Philippines already has enough problems as it is. We do not need new and bigger problems due to US dictates using Pax Silica. The US government and the Marcos administration should not dump AI and hyperscale hubs in the Philippines along with its numerous problems,” he said.

READ: Pax Silica AI hub targets 3-to-5-year development timeline

Tinio cited New York’s enactment of a statewide construction moratorium on data centers, which temporarily halted any operations of facilities with incomplete permits that required 50 megawatts or more power. He added that lawmakers in Georgia, Maine, Maryland and Michigan were also pushing for moratorium bills to pause approvals and permits of AI hubs. —HOLLY KYLIE MERIAN C. BACAY