Isko on doing business with ‘blacklisted’ firms: If they didn’t violate Philippine law, why not?

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday underscored that due diligence  should be observed when doing business with companies, especially the foreign ones.

During an online forum by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Moreno was asked if he would enter into an agreement with Chinese companies that have been blacklisted by the United States for their alleged involvement in the massive island-building in the South China Sea.

"If they did not violate any provisions of our law doing business in the country, why not? Philippine law must prevail always. We are a sovereign country but sabi nga, in due diligence, pagsisiyasat... lalo na kung ang paguusapan natin halimbawa billions of dollars. Masakit pa niyan pag na-sovereign guarantee pa 'yan, for example, talagang tiyak na babayaran. So kailangan maobserbahan natin 'yun. At saka para hindi tayo malagay sa alanganin," Moreno explained.

"Philippine law must prevail, basta wala silang ginawang kasalanan sa Pilipinas, wala silang kasalanan sa mata ng batas natin at sila ay maaaring makapaghanap-buhay," he added.

Moreno further said the government must also check if the firm has a bad record in other countries.

"Kung ang magkokontrata, lokal na pamahalaan, kami, of course I'll deal with company with good standing, immaterial of their nationality. I will not deal with those companies with bad backgrounds or maaaring may mga responsibilidad na hindi ginawa. Why would you expose your local government unit to that particular company? So I will do my due diligence," Moreno said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin Jr. had planned to recommend the termination of contracts with Chinese firms.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to push through with the projects with Chinese contractors, a decision that China welcomed.

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana earlier said Chinese companies should have been screened before allowing them to do business in the country. — BM, GMA News