Robredo calls for transparency in PHL-China business deals

CEBU CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called for transparency in the 19 business deals signed between the Philippines and China during President Rodrigo Duterte's most recent visit to the country.

"Yung sa akin kasi, from Day 1, nagde-demand tayo ng transparency. In fact, pangatlong pagbisita na ito ni Presidente sa China. Mula noong pinakauna niyang pagbisita, dine-demand na natin na makita natin yung mga kopya ng kasunduan na pinasukan," Robredo told reporters in ambush interview here.

According to presidential spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Duterte witnessed the signing of 19 business deals, including some related to energy; infrastructure, agriculture, and the training of Filipinos sojourning in China.

These agreements would generate an estimated investment value amounting to US$12.165 billion, which will generate more than 21,000 jobs for Filipinos, Panelo said.

Robredo said she is particularly interested to see the terms of the agreements of the recently signed agreements, as well as the compliance and implementation of the deals the Philippines earlier entered into with China.

"Yung pagpasok sa agreements, yun yung easy part. Pero yung pag-comply sa terms na siguradong advantageous para sa ating mga Pilipino, yun ang dapat nating tutukan," she said.

"Masaya tayo every time na yung pamahalaan pumapasok lalo na sa trade agreements, magbe-benefit sa atin. Pero kailangan lang tayong magbantay," she added. — BM, GMA News