Cardinal David raises questions on Pax Silica, the government's AI hub project

Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo David raised questions regarding the benefits that Filipinos can gain with Pax Silica, the AI hub project of the Philippine government.

"Will Pax Silica help build Filipino scientific capability, technological innovation, and industrial resilience? Or will it primarily serve the strategic interests of others while Filipinos provide the land, natural resources, water, energy, tax incentives, and labor?" he said in a social media post.

"These are legitimate questions — not because we oppose foreign investment, but because genuine partnership should strengthen the nation that hosts it," he added.

Cardinal Pablo was referring to Pax Silica, which is a US-led initiative and economic security framework that hopes to create a global supply chain for AI and the semiconductor industry. The Philippines is among 24 country signatories in this agreement.

"Prudence therefore requires transparency, technology transfer, meaningful participation of Filipino scientists and industries, responsible stewardship of the environment, and a clear commitment to moving our country up the value chain rather than remaining merely a source of raw materials and cheap labor," he said.

The prelate noted the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV - Magnifica Humanitas - which "reminds us that the decisive issue is not what artificial intelligence can do, but what kind of human beings we are becoming. Technology must remain the servant of humanity, never its master."

"And in Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reminds us that humanity cannot build its future on the logic of competing national interests alone. The return of the logic of “might makes right” has repeatedly led humanity to conflict and war. The digital revolution must not become another arena where technological power is used for domination rather than cooperation," he added.

Cardinal Pablo said the issue is not just whether Pax Silica will provide jobs and business opportunities or if it will make artificial intelligence more powerful.

"The real question is whether it will help build what Pope Leo calls a civilization of love rather than a culture of power—a future in which technological progress serves human dignity, social fraternity, care for our common home, and peace among nations," he said.

Malacañang on Thursday called on the public to direct any issues about the planned development of Pax Silica industrial tech hub to concerned government agencies, saying that provisions of the United States-led initiative may still be adjusted accordingly.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government will put into consideration all concerns regarding Pax Silica, specifically pertaining to how it may affect the country’s water and electricity supplies. — BAP/KG, GMA News