Pax Silica to operate under Philippine laws —BCDA

Detailed summary

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Wednesday said that the US-led Pax Silica project in New Clark City, Tarlac will be governed by Philippine laws.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Wednesday said that the US-led Pax Silica project in New Clark City, Tarlac will be governed by Philippine laws.

“Sovereignty rests with the Philippines,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua “Jake” Bingcang said during the House committee on economic affairs hearing on the controversial project.

This was Bingcang’s response to Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Luis Co’s query on a supposed “joint governance” provision in the proposed Pax Silica legal framework.

“Pilipinas ang mananaig dito [Philippine laws will prevail on this matter]. It’s Investor’s Lease Act and BCDA law, which are both Philippine laws,” the BCDA chief said.

The BCDA had earlier stated that the Philippine side, negotiating with the US on the final framework agreement to hit the ground running for the Pax Silica, will push for a deal that would be most beneficial for the country.

Bingcang, during the hearing, clarified that negotiations are still ongoing between the Philippines and American sides for the project, reiterating that there is no definite date yet signing of the legal framework for Pax Silica.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on the other hand, expressed optimism that the legal framework for the initiative will be inked by the end of 2026.

This came after US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton announced, over the weekend, that there is no scheduled announcement for the Pax Silica initiative in the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila —during which US President Donald Trump will be attending.

Philippine officials are expected to include a clause that explicitly preserves sovereignty over projects in the Pax Silica initiative in New Clark City, stating that expatriates employed in the area will have no diplomatic immunity.

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