Business Groups: “Mr. Teodoro, Stop Your Hostility Toward China”
THAT is, in so many words, the strongly worded message of business organizations to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who has defied President Marcos’s policy that China is a friend of the country and instead has issued nonstop belligerent statements against the superpower. The statement is unprecedented in that it was signed by 23 business organizations, from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, its rival Federation of Philippine Industries to the Philippine Exporters Federation to even the Foundation for Economic Freedom, a pro-US self-styled guardian of neo-liberal thinking here.
Ironically, the statement was not signed by the oligarch-dominated Makati Business Club, known to be under the influence of the Ayalas, the partners of the giant Chinese conglomerate Alipay in GCash.
The statement even cited data that implied that the Philippines cannot afford antagonizing its biggest trading partner and jeopardizing the welfare of Filipino workers in China, Hong Kong and Macao.* The business groups should have been bolder and more patriotic and asked President Marcos, Jr. to fire Teodoro.
I am devoting this column to publish the statement in toto, especially as this paper had not reported on the statement:
A Joint Appeal of Various Sectors and Organizations for Constructive Philippine-China Relations
We, the undersigned organizations of Business, Labor, OFW, Educators, Economists, Farmers, and Youth, appeal for sobriety, restraint, statesmanship, and renewed diplomatic engagement amid heightened exchanges between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and Philippine government officials.
Amid global uncertainties, we urge measured diplomacy that advances Philippine interests. All parties should avoid inflammatory rhetoric, public recriminations, and social media exchanges that could further strain bilateral relations. Diplomacy is best pursued through established channels, coordinated institutions, informed dialogue, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of national interests.
The Philippines needs a foreign policy that is principled yet pragmatic, resolute yet diplomatic, and anchored in protecting sovereignty, economic security, and long-term development.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in the first semester of 2026, China and Hong Kong constitute the Philippines’ largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 30 percent (26.3% of exports, 27% to 29.5% of imports) of total international trade in recent years, while the Philippines represents less than 1% (0.3 to 0.5) of China’s total global trade. Our economies are deeply interconnected through trade, manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, retail, energy, electric vehicles, solar panels, and other vital sectors. China supplies essential goods, industrial inputs, machinery, electronics, strategic raw materials, and renewable-energy technologies that support businesses, employment, consumers, and the clean-energy transition.
The Philippines also benefits significantly from overseas Filipino workers in China, Hong Kong and Macao. Their remittances support millions of families, strengthen consumption, fund education, housing, healthcare, and small businesses, and contribute to foreign-exchange earnings and economic resilience. These people-to-people ties further underscore the need for stable, respectful relations.
Whatever our political differences or maritime disputes, constructive diplomacy and stable economic relations are essential to protecting livelihoods, maintaining investor confidence, controlling costs, accelerating clean-energy adoption, and sustaining development. Because trade with China represents a far greater share of Philippine external trade than the Philippine market represents of China’s global trade, we must practice careful economic statecraft while pursuing strategic diversification, stronger domestic industries, local assembly and manufacturing, and sound diplomacy.
The Philippines should also attract a greater share of regional tourism, investment, business travel, and commercial opportunities through a competitive, welcoming, and predictable environment. Amid geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions, energy transitions, and competition for investment, we should avoid tensions that undermine confidence or limit cooperation.
We therefore respectfully call on our government and all concerned parties to:
• First, exercise sobriety and restraint. Use measured language and avoid personal exchanges or public statements that heighten tensions without advancing the national interest.
• Second, strengthen a centralized, coherent, and consistent foreign policy. Diplomatic positions should be articulated by designated authorities through coordinated institutions and established channels.
• Third, uphold sovereignty while preserving economic cooperation. The Philippines must defend its sovereign rights under international law while maintaining dialogue and practical cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, energy security, electric mobility, solar deployment, and other mutual interests.
• Fourth, prioritize trade, investment and creation of decent work. Both governments should pursue market access, resilient supply chains, technology transfer, local production, clean energy generation, and productive investment, consistent with the principles of business and human rights, benefitting Filipino enterprises, farmers, fisherfolk, manufacturers, exporters, workers, consumers and communities.
• Fifth, pursue strategic diversification alongside constructive engagement. Broader trading relationships, stronger domestic capacity, local assembly and manufacturing, and alternative sources of critical supplies should complement—not replace—diplomacy.
• Sixth, promote mutual respect and responsible communication. Disagreements should be addressed through quiet diplomacy, sustained dialogue, and appropriate official mechanisms rather than public exchanges that harden positions.
Constructive relations with China do not require abandoning Philippine sovereignty, overlooking legitimate concerns, or compromising an independent foreign policy. Effective diplomacy means defending national interests while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Firmness and friendship, vigilance and cooperation, and national dignity and economic pragmatism can coexist.
The Filipino people deserve a government that protects sovereignty while expanding prosperity. Entrepreneurs need stable markets; workers, secure livelihoods; consumers, affordable essentials; and farmers and manufacturers, reliable inputs and wider market access. The country also needs investment, technology, energy security, clean-energy solutions, and sustained growth.
These priorities should take precedence over public exchanges that distract from practical cooperation.
We respectfully appeal to Philippine and Chinese authorities to lower the temperature, restore disciplined diplomatic engagement, and build a stable, respectful, and productive bilateral relationship. Let us pursue principled diplomacy over public antagonism, economic cooperation over avoidable friction, and strategic foresight over short-term political posturing.
The ultimate measure of diplomacy is whether it protects national interests, prevents avoidable conflict, creates opportunities, and improves the lives of our people—not who prevails in a public exchange.
For the Philippines, the path forward must be one of sobriety, strategic clarity, economic pragmatism, and constructive engagement with China and the wider international community.
Our national interest demands nothing less.
*There are 200,000 OFWs in Hong Kong, which is Chinese territory, 30,000 in Macao, and 12,000 in mainland China.
Which MNLF?
The headline in this paper yesterday was: “MNLF denies giving refuge to dela Rosa.” The accurate headline was in another paper: “MNLF faction says Bato not under its protection.” (My itals.)
The group that denied giving refuge to Senator Bato dela Rosa is the faction that broke away from the MNLF in 2001, headed by Muslimin Sema, who became Cotabato City Mayor and who has been close to the Marcos administration. His wife Bai Sandra Sinsuat Ampatuan was one of the over a dozen deputy speakers in the 17th Congress (2016-2019).
The MNLF main organization is still headed by Chairman Nur Misuari who founded it in 1972.
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Business Groups: “Mr. Teodoro, Stop Your Hostility Toward China”
Source: Breaking News PH
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