BIZ BUZZ: NGCP says it again: China link not a security threat

Sounds like a broken record by now?

Nevertheless, an official of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has stressed anew: China link not a national security threat.

Lawmakers have started bombarding NGCP again with rehashed accusations on its ownership issue, creating fears that China allegedly has access to the grid network.

However, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said that while a Chinese executive is the chair of the board, the majority vote still rules.

“Is the [chair] of the board more important? Is his vote heavier than the others? No,” she said.

Six Filipinos have secured seats on the NGCP board, while four are Chinese.

The role of the chair, she noted, was also “within the bounds of law because he’s just a presiding officer.”

Alabanza added that no Chinese national was involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.

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China, while a major partner of the Philippines in the economic boom, has been deemed a “bully” amid its aggressive tactics against Filipino fisherfolk and military in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Does the NGCP understand the perennial angst of lawmakers?

“Filipino rin po ako. Nakakabahala rin po yung isyu sa WPS, kaya ko pong sabihin na wala pong ganoong threat sa loob ng NGCP (I am also a Filipino. WPS is worrisome but I can say that there’s no such threat at NGCP.) Alabanza said.