Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — Malacañang on Thursday shot down some lawmakers’ concern over a China-funded camera surveillance project of the government.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government will not allow any security or information leaks, amid senators’ bid to stop the closed-circuit television (CCTV) loan deal between the government and a Chinese state-run firm.
“Siguro we understand some apprehensions of some senators, but necessarily this government will not allow any security leaks. Di naman tayo papayag,” Panelo told reporters.
[Translation: Perhaps we understand some apprehensions of some senators, but necessarily this government will not allow any security leaks. We won’t agree with that.]
The Senate, in its version of the 2019 budget, included provisions that will stop the government from paying the P20 billion loan deal between the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC).
READ: Senate version of budget blocks payment for Chinese CCTV project
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the project has signs of a behest transaction “lacking in studies, consultations, validation.”
But Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte can opt to veto the Senate restriction.
“If the President will exercise his power of veto, that can be vetoed. He has that option,” the spokesperson noted.
“Anything that will contribute to the progress of this country, syempre (of course) it’s an important project,” he added.
The project, dubbed as “Safe Philippines,” targets to put up 12,000 camera surveillance systems around Metro Manila and Davao City.
