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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Philippines won't enter deals that put Filipinos at a disadvantage

Palace: Philippines won't enter deals that put Filipinos at a disadvantage

Published Aug 28, 2026 04:15 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a Palace briefing on Aug. 25, 2026. (Betheena Unite)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a Palace briefing on Aug. 25, 2026. (Betheena Unite)
Malacañang assured the public that President Marcos will not enter into any deal with another country that would put the Philippines and its people at a disadvantage.
"Nagsalita din po ang Pangulo, hindi maaaring gumawa ng anumang transaksyon na ang Pilipinas o mga Pilipino ang siyang madidehado (The President also said that no transaction should be made if it would put the Philippines or Filipinos at a disadvantage)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a recent Palace briefing.
She made the statement after the United States imposed hefty tariffs on Canada for refusing to agree to a trade deal that would grant the former exclusive access to its critical minerals. 
Given that the US-led Pax Silica is making its way to the Philippines, the Palace official was asked what safeguards Manila has put in place to ensure that Washington will equally respect the Philippines' demands.
Castro did not cite a specific measure, but assured the public that the Marcos administration will only carry out projects and deals according to laws.
She also stressed that just because the government is pursuing investments does not mean that it will allow Filipinos to suffer.
"Kailangan po natin na magkaroon ng mga investments pero hindi nangangahulugan na ang ating mga kapuwa Pilipino ang magdurusa (We need to attract investments, but that does not mean our fellow Filipinos should suffer as a result)," Castro said.
"So maliwanag po iyan, hindi po natin pababayaan kung ano ang itinatalaga ng ating batas, hindi po natin iba-violate ang karapatan ng ating mga kapwa nating Pilipino (So, that is clear: we will not disregard what is mandated by our laws, and we will not violate the rights of our fellow Filipinos)," Castro added.

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President Marcos foreign investments Pax Silica US Claire Castro
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