Malacañang has no problem with donations made to the government as long as they are made in good faith, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday.
She issued the statement amid reports that alleged Chinese spies had made a donation to the Philippine National Police.
Castro said the government is in the process of determining the facts surrounding the donation.
“We are studying that. Whether this donation made in good faith, we really need to know because it is not wrong to accept a donation,” she said.
Castro recalled that multiple donations were made by Chinese nationals to Davao City when Vice President Sara Duterte was the local chief executive.
“During the pandemic, we heard that many ambulances and vehicles were received, especially by Davao City. It seems that China donated a lot to Davao City during Mayor Sara’s time,” she said.
Castro explained, however, that if the donations were made with ulterior motives, the government would investigate any wrongdoing in the acceptance of the donations.
“If it turns out that a donation was given for a different reason, we need to investigate that. If those LGU officials who received it were involved, we will make sure it does not happen again, because they may not even be aware that they were being used,” she said.
Meanwhile, in response to allegations that some Chinese nationals engaged in illegal activities in the country might have “protectors” in the PNP, Castro said the government would not allow that.
“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.