Palace to ‘respond properly’ on petition vs P3.69B China loan deal

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is ready to respond to the petition filed by opposition lawmakers asking the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the China-funded P3.69-billion Chico River Pump Irrigation project.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacañang respects the order of the high court, saying “we will respond to the petition.”

The SC has directed government to answer the petition, which asserted the loan agreement between the Philippines and China for the Chico River project is unconstitutional.

READ: SC to gov’t: Answer petition vs P3.69B loan with China for Chico River project

“It will respond properly. The loan agreement has passed through many channels. There has been many review, evaluation. We feel that it is not in violation of the Constitution as alleged by the petitioner,” Panelo said.

On April 4, Makabayan lawmakers asked SC to immediately issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the P3.69 billion loan from China. /kga