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SINO HAND

January 25, 2025 People's Journal 101 views

THE embattled National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) acknowledged during a congressional hearing on Thursday that a Chinese national, Wen Bo, previously served as its Chief Technical Officer (CTO), sparking concerns over potential constitutional violations and foreign influence in a public utility.

The admission came during the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, as Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo questioned NGCP officials about the designation of current OIC-CTO Rico Vega and the involvement of Wen Bo in the company.

“Mr. Rico Vega is the OIC-CTO. Short question, bakit po kayo OIC? Sino po ang totoong Chief Technical Officer?” Quimbo asked, noting Vega’s status as officer-in-charge since April 2021 after the retirement of former Filipino CTO Santiago Dimaliwat IV.

Vega admitted he has served as OIC-CTO for nearly three years but could not explain why he has not been officially designated as permanent CTO.

“Yun ma’am, hindi ko rin malaman,” Vega replied.

Pressed further, NGCP President Anthony Almeda confirmed that Wen Bo, a Chinese national, had previously served as CTO.

“Yes, he was our Chief Technical Officer before,” Almeda said in response to Quimbo’s query.

Assistant Corporate Secretary Ronald Concepcion provided additional details, confirming that Wen Bo held the position “for a period of time” and was granted the necessary approvals from various government agencies.

“Mr. Wen Bo is no longer with NGCP. It is true, for a period of time he was the chief technical officer. He was allowed and given the proper permits by the DOJ [Department of Justice], the BID [Bureau of Immigration]. We even go through the DOE [Department of Energy] to ask for the endorsement of his visa and permit,” Concepcion said.

When Quimbo asked for clarification on Wen Bo’s tenure, Concepcion said he would confirm the exact dates but estimated it ended around 2017.

“I have to confirm that, Mr. Chair, but I think it’s something like 2017,” he said.

Quimbo requested that NGCP submit all documents related to Wen Bo’s appointment, including permits from the DOJ and other agencies.

“So, can you submit all of these correspondences that would indicate that the DOJ and all of these agencies permitted you to have a Chinese national?” Quimbo asked. “You confirm that, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Concepcion replied.

Quimbo raised concerns about the constitutional implications of a foreign national holding a key executive role in a public utility.

“Sa pagkakaalam ko sa Constitution, hindi ba dapat lahat ng executives ng isang public utility ay dapat po ay Filipino?” she asked, stressing the importance of safeguarding Filipino control over critical infrastructure.

The Philippine Constitution requires public utilities to be at least 60% Filipino-owned, with executive and managerial roles reserved for Filipino citizens.

NGCP, which manages the country’s power transmission grid, is 40% owned by the State Grid Corporation of China, while Filipino tycoons Henry Sy Jr. and Robert Coyiuto Jr. own the remaining 60% through Synergy Grid and Development Philippines.

The revelation has amplified existing concerns over foreign influence in NGCP operations, particularly given its role as a critical infrastructure operator.

Lawmakers have repeatedly flagged the involvement of Chinese nationals in NGCP’s leadership, pointing out the risks this poses to national security.

The presence of a Chinese national in a top technical position at NGCP raises serious national security concerns, as the company manages the transmission grid that delivers power across the entire Philippines.

Lawmakers and security experts have warned that foreign control or influence over critical infrastructure, such as power grids, could expose the country to risks of espionage, sabotage, or operational disruptions.

These vulnerabilities are especially concerning given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, continues its inquiry into NGCP’s operations, with members calling for greater transparency and accountability to protect the integrity of the country’s power grid.

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