Castro: Donations OK if made in good faith

Malacañang Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Monday that the government has no issue with donations given to the government as long as they are made in good faith.

This statement follows reports of alleged Chinese spies making a donation to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Castro, the government is currently investigating the facts surrounding the donation.

“As of now, we will study that. Whether this was a donation in good faith, we really need to know because it is not wrong to accept a donation,” she said.

Castro also recalled that several donations were made by Chinese nationals to Davao City when Vice President Sara Duterte was the local chief executive.

“During the pandemic, we also heard that many ambulances, vehicles — is that right, or ambulances, especially Davao City, were received. It seems that China donated a lot to Davao City during Mayor Sara's time,” she said.

However, Castro emphasized that if the donations were made with ulterior motives, the government would investigate the matter.

“If it turns out that it was given but there is a different reason for that, we need to investigate that, and if those LGU officials who received it are the ones who did, we will make sure that it doesn't happen again, because they do not know whether they are being used or not,” she said.

Meanwhile, Castro addressed allegations that some Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities might be “protected” by PNP officials. She assured that the government would not tolerate such actions.

“The President will not let that go. When news like that reaches us, it really needs to be investigated. It should not be overlooked,” she said.