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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Norwegian proponent of AI data center walks out of public consultation in Iloilo

Norwegian proponent of AI data center walks out of public consultation in Iloilo

Published Aug 15, 2026 04:14 pm
Daniel Stefan Robertsen at a public hearing for his proposed AI data center in Oton, Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of JV Ramos)
Daniel Stefan Robertsen at a public hearing for his proposed AI data center in Oton, Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of JV Ramos)
ILOILO CITY—A foreigner proponent of an AI data center in Oton, Iloilo walked out during a public consultation and cussed reporters on Friday, August 14.
Live streaming videos and recorded videos showed Daniel Stefan Robertsen of Norway Green Energy losing his cool when a public consultation was held at a chapel of Barangay Abilay Sur, a largely agricultural area.
“If you think that the data center is something toxic and you don’t want it, then let us stop the discussion now,” Robersten said and proceeded to walk out after only one question and a comment from a resident who said they were not in favor of the project.
But it was Oton Town Councilor and lawyer Annie Rose Paro who asked Robersten what his company would do about cooling systems and use of water when the proposed project is
a 50-megawatt (MW) hyperscale AI data center.
After walking out, Robertsen then turned around and yelled at the Iloilo media: : “If you don't have a brain, just f*ck ... Go away!”
The proposed 10-hectare AI data center drew controversy when the public and even other government agencies only knew of the August 14 public consultation a day prior when former Kabataan party-list Raoul Manuel raised an alarm online.
As the presiding officer of the Oton Town Council, Vice Mayor Jose Niel Olivares clarified the proposed AI data center never had any endorsement from the local government’s legislative body.
Olivares would later describe Robersten’s behavior as in “bad taste” when he could not answer questions from the community.
Abilay Sur Barangay Captain Marites Eusoya said the barangay is going to pass a resolution opposing the proposed project.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP-Iloilo) has condemned Robersten’s actions towards reporters who tried to interview him after he walked out of the public consultation.
“NUJP Iloilo condemns this brazen and outright disrespectful behavior toward journalists who were simply performing their duties,” it said in a statement.

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