Threat ‘imagined, groundless’

SGCC took part in the National Transmission Corp. project as a cooperation partner.

China junked as baseless and an “imagined trouble” the national security concerns raised against the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), owned partly by State Grid Corp. of China (SGCC), as it stressed the important partnership between Manila and Beijing.

At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang dismissed as “completely groundless” concerns raised by some senators against NGCP, which is 40 percent owned by SGCC.

“There is no need to worry about the sky falling or imagine trouble where there is none,” Geng explained.

He stressed that SGCC took part in the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) project as a cooperation partner, providing safe, efficient and high-quality electricity services.

“The project is now operated, managed and maintained by the Philippine side, with the Chinese partner offering necessary technical support upon request,” Geng said.

“The allegation of China’s control over the Philippines’ power grid or threat to the country’s national security is completely groundless. Besides, the Chinese business also actively fulfills its social responsibilities,” Geng added.

The Chinese official said the SGCC-TransCo cooperative project is part of the “Brighten Up” program that brings electricity to remote areas in the Philippines.

Geng pointed out that the Philippines is China’s “close and friendly neighbor as well as an important partner,” stressing that Beijing supports Chinese businesses’ pursuit of practical, win-win cooperation in the Philippines in accordance with laws and regulations.

“We hope certain individuals in the Philippines will look at cooperation with China in an open, objective and impartial manner,” Geng said.

On the other hand, the Department of Energy (DoE) said the impending Senate inquiry will be a good opportunity for the government to conduct a “long overdue” audit of the NGCP amid national security concerns over its operation.

In a statement, the DoE also welcomed the prevailing “strong public attention,” as well as the raising of national security concerns surrounding the NGCP during the Senate hearing.

At the same time, the DoE stressed that such a congressional inquiry could pave the way for closer scrutiny of the NGCP franchise agreement with the government.

“We consider the Senate hearings as a positive development toward the long overdue and much needed audit of NGCP, as well as the comprehensive reexamination of the franchise agreement, which is part of the presidential directive to review all government contracts that appear to be onerous,” the DoE said.

“These steps would facilitate the introduction of all necessary amendments to uphold our national security and the welfare of our citizens and consumers,” it added.

The DoE, along with TransCo, vowed to actively take part in the Senate inquiry of the issues hounding the NGCP.

In fact, the DoE emphasized that the NGCP issues are not actually new as Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi raised the very same points upon his assumption.

“Given that there are aspects in the existing franchise agreement with the NGCP that seem inimical to the best interests of the national government, and more importantly, the Filipino people, both the DoE and TransCo continue to call for, and are fully supportive of the Senate’s interest to take a closer look at the administrative, operational and procedural structures existing within the NGCP,” the DoE statement added.

The DoE and TransCo vowed to keep President Rodrigo Duterte informed of the development on the NGCP issue.

Since among the issues concerned was national security, the DoE said the National Security Council (NSC) will now be the proper agency to issue further statements regarding the matter.

“In the meantime, we would like to assure the public that the DoE is in close coordination not only with TransCo, but with all relevant government agencies, most especially the NSC, to ensure that all crucial data, as well as potential measures to be undertaken are reported to the President accordingly, for his information and guidance on the way forward,” the DoE stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and spokesman Salvador Panelo yesterday said Malacañang will defer to security officials on NGCP matters.

In a press briefing, Panelo said that there is no order yet from Mr. Duterte to investigate the matter.

“Since this is a national security matter, I will defer to the position of the Department of National Defense, as well as the NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency) director,” Panelo said.

“There is none (order to investigate). Of course, he will still hear out his security officials. That is a security matter,” he added.

When asked if there is a reason for the Palace to be concerned on the matter, Panelo said, “As I said, we will defer to the position of the DND and NICA. I haven’t heard from them,” he said.