DOTr chief denies ‘unpublicized’ trip to China

MANILA, Philippines – Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade denied yesterday the claim of outgoing United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg that he and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano made an “unpublicized” trip to China in June.

“If it is true that Ambassador Goldberg said that, then the fabled American ‘intelligence network’ has miserably failed again. It’s a rumor. Was never in Beijing in June. You can always examine my passport anytime,” he said in a statement.

Goldberg said in his interview over ANC that Tugade and Cayetano went to China last June, way ahead of President Duterte’s state visit to Beijing last week.

The diplomat said the trip was made to begin the “process” that resulted in billion-dollar deals forged between the Philippines and China.

Duterte’s state visit to China allowed the Philippines to secure $24 billion worth of investment and financing agreements for the country.

Of the total amount, $15 billion are investment projects while $9 billion are credit facilities.

The deals cover various industries such as manufacturing, agribusiness, trade, finance, hotels, telecommunications, tourism, transportation and infrastructure.

Both Tugade and Cayetano were with Duterte in the China visit.

“I don’t think Senator Cayetano’s role was fully known publicly but he was actually starting this process way back in June,” Goldberg said.

Asked if Cayetano and Tugade made backdoor negotiations with China, Goldberg said he would not know since it was never explained publicly.

Duterte has been hitting the US for criticizing his bloody war against illegal drugs. While in Beijing, he announced the country’s “separation” from the US but later clarified this did not mean severance of ties but only lesser dependence on foreign countries.