Vice President Sara Duterte‘s response after being asked to comment on the controversial Pax Silica Industrial Hub raised questions over her readiness to serve as the country’s highest public official in the future.
Duterte was asked about her thoughts on the United States-led initiative, which aims to counter China’s strength in the tech manufacturing sector, particularly in the fabrication of computing components and chips, as well as the procurement of valuable rare earth materials needed for these technologies.
Pax Silica aims to create a global supply chain for semiconductors, critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The AI-focused industrial hub, which will span 1,600 hectares, is planned to be built in New Clark City, Tarlac.
It is expected to process the country’s critical minerals and produce high-tech components for AI and semiconductor industries.
The Philippines is among the 24 countries that signed the agreement, which also includes nations such as the US, Singapore, India, Japan, Israel, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other European nations.
Sara, who was in The Hague, Netherlands, to visit her father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, was asked for her opinion on the matter.
“Ma’am, ny thoughts po about sa Pax Silica na balak po itayo sa Pilipinas?” an overseas Filipino worker asked.
“Ano? Fax Sili?” Sara replied.
“‘Yung Pax Silica,” pro-Duterte vlogger Alvin & Tourism said.
“Fax Silic?” Sara asked.
“Hindi ma’am, Pax Silica. Do you know anything about that?” Alvin asked.
“Wala… I cannot comment on that,” Sara responded.
Her answer drew reactions among Filipinos, with several questioning her lack of familiarity with the topic given her position as the country’s second-highest public official and plans to run for president in the 2028 elections.
“Tapos gusto maging presidente? Travel vlogger na lang po, VP,” an online user commented.
“Tapos tatakbong president?” another asked.
“President, gusto? Current issues ayaw?” a different Pinoy commented.
“Imagine holding the second-highest office in the country and still being out of touch with the nation’s most pressing issues. If you’re not informed, how can you lead?” another asked.
“HAHAHA FOX SILICA, ‘yan ba ang tatakbong Pangulo sa 2028?” political commentator Jesus Falcis wrote.
Sara is the first individual to publicly expressed her intention to run as president in the 2028 national elections, saying she wants the country to pursue an independent foreign policy and take a harder line on addressing crime, illegal drugs and terrorism.
She is facing impeachment complaints over allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and grave threats against the First Couple and the then-former House Speaker.
If convicted, Sara will be removed from office and disqualified from holding any public office.
What is Pax Silica?
Pax Silica is being promoted by officials as the country’s gateway to the global AI technology sector.
The site in New Clark City is described as the first “AI-native industrial acceleration hub” under the initiative. It is intended to host semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging, advanced manufacturing and AI infrastructure development.
The government hopes the industrial hub will attract foreign investment, generate jobs and help the country move beyond its role in low-value chip assembly toward high-value manufacturing.
The Philippines is seen as an attractive partner due to its mineral resources, including copper deposits in areas such as Tampakan, South Cotabato, which are important for chip and wiring production.
The initiative seeks to counter China’s strength in the tech manufacturing sector, with China reported to control 90% of rare earth refining, which is crucial for producing advanced chips.
However, the initiative has drawn criticism from advocacy groups due over concerns about the possible displacement of farmers and residents in the area, reported water scarcity in the Sacobia watershed and the potential effects of large-scale mining in areas already affected by deforestation, mine tailings and contaminated rivers.
Critics have also raised concerns that food security could be affected, as much of the land involved supports rice, coconut and other agricultural production.
In the US, concerns have also been raised about the impact of data centers on communities, including possible water shortages, increased heat and noise pollution.
Some projections have warned that by 2035, data centers could consume about four times more electricity than they do today.
