Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday called for an immediate investigation into an alleged draft Pax Silica framework, claiming that its implementation could allow foreign entities to control Philippine land within the proposed 1,619-hectare special economic zone.
During a press conference, Marcos said she was given what appears to be a draft architecture of a proposed economic and security cooperation (ESC) framework for the controversial artificial intelligence (AI) hub reportedly being distributed among government agencies for review.
“Marami nang nasabi tungkol sa Pax Silica. Nagulat ako, at natanggap ko, sa aking komunikasyon, ang isang alleged draft architecture of a proposed ESC framework in the Philippines. Sinasabi na ito ‘yung dokumento na pinaiikot ng DOJ (Department of Justice) for approval ng iba’t ibang mga kasamang mga department,” she told reporters.
The senator expressed concern particularly over provisions proposing a joint venture (JV) to own land for the project.
She said that even if the split ownership would allow the Philippines to retain 60 percent of the venture, the foreign investor would own 40 percent and become a “master tenant” with far-reaching management powers over the proposed area.
“So ang nakakagitla lang dito, bakit kinakailangan ng tinatawag na joint venture to own the land? Hindi ba Pilipinas ang may-ari ng lupa? Bakit hindi BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority)? Or kaya hindi ‘yung iba’t ibang GOCC (Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporation) na 100 percent? Nakakakaba ang nakasulat dito, dahil kahit na sabihin pa nila na 60/40 ‘yung joint venture… at 60 percent ‘yung Pilipino, ‘yung 40 porsyento, halos may-ari na nung lupa,” she said.
The framework, if approved, will place an extensive 1,619-hectare zone under foreign control all throughout its 99-year lease.
Moreover, she called into question the treatment of farmers and Indigenous Peoples in the area. Marcos claimed that farmers in Camp O’Donnell, Barangay Aranguren and Sta. Lucia in Tarlac were being offered ₱300,000 for five hectares.
This amount, Marcos said, was the maximum offer, even for properties exceeding 5 hectares.
“Ang balita ay ₱300,000 daw ang inaalok para sa limang hektarya. Kung labis pa ‘yung pag-aari na lupa, hindi na daw kayang bayaran, libre na. So ‘yung iba diyan, may siyam, sampu, at iba pa, hindi na raw babayaran ‘yung labis sa five hectares,” she said.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the country will be participating in Pax Silica, a US-led AI initiative, promising that this would bolster the Philippines’ position in the global AI and technology value chain, create quality jobs, and drive up industrial competitiveness.
