Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

US Department of State photo

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786357921801signing-photo.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>US Department of State photo</div>MANILA — The Philippines could lose its opportunity to host the United States-led Pax Silica initiative if it “drops the ball,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez said on Monday.According to Romualdez, the US prefers to have Pax Silica established in the Philippines, which was selected as one of the initiative’s participants because of its status as a trusted US ally.The initiative has been met with opposition over concerns on how it will affect local communities and the environment, especially if the project will include the construction of AI data centers.The ambassador, however, noted that the Philippines is “not the only game in town.” He said other Asian countries are prepared to take the opportunity if Manila decides not to proceed.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/6/business-leaders-pax-silica-seen-to-lift-ph-economy-create-thousands-of-jobs-0012">Business leaders: Pax Silica seen to lift PH economy, create thousands of jobs </a></div>“The concern of the US is they prefer to have this Pax Silica here. If, for some reason, we drop the ball, other Asian countries would take over,” Romualdez told reporters on the sidelines of a forum organized by the Stratbase Group in Makati City.“There are many countries that would like to be part of Pax Silica. If we don’t take this one, there are many other Asian countries that are prepared to take it on,” he added.Romualdez earlier said that Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are also interested in joining the initiative.The ambassador said Pax Silica could bring technology, critical minerals, and development opportunities to the country.“It will be good for the country,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/6/-maawa-naman-kayo-aeta-community-in-tarlac-fears-losing-ancestral-land-to-pax-silica-hub-1833">&#x27;Maawa naman kayo&#x27;: Aeta community in Tarlac fears losing ancestral land to Pax Silica Hub </a></div>Romualdez also cautioned against what he described as misinformation about Pax Silica, urging the public to consider its potential benefits before focusing on its possible drawbacks.“I always caution everyone to look at the positive side first before we start looking at the negative,” he said.Romualdez assured the public that the details of the initiative will be thoroughly discussed and that the process will be transparent.A Pax Silica hub is planned for New Clark City in Tarlac.

The Philippines could lose its opportunity to host the United States-led Pax Silica initiative if it “drops the ball,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez said on Monday.

The Philippines could lose its opportunity to host the United States-led Pax Silica initiative if it “drops the ball,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez said on Monday.

PH could lose Pax Silica if it ‘drops the ball’ — Ambassador Romualdez

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PH could lose Pax Silica if it ‘drops the ball’ — Ambassador Romualdez

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 10, 2026 06:37 PM PHT

Read More:

Pax Silica

Jose Manuel Romualdez

United States

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