Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan warned that Pax Silica could leave the Philippines supplying land, natural resources, and cheap labor while other countries secure the initiative’s strategic and technological gains.
In a reflection posted on his social media account, the prelate said the central question for the Philippines is whether the initiative would strengthen Filipino scientific and industrial capacity or primarily serve foreign interests.
“Will Pax Silica help build Filipino scientific capability, technological innovation, and industrial resilience?” he asked.
“Or will it primarily serve the strategic interests of others while Filipinos provide the land, natural resources, water, energy, tax incentives, and labor?” he added.
The vice-president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences said nations naturally pursue their own interests, citing the United States’ efforts under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda to strengthen American leadership in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical supply chains.
China, he said, also pursues its own strategic interests. “That is the reality of international politics,” the cardinal said. He stressed that raising questions about Pax Silica does not mean opposing foreign investment.
“These are legitimate questions—not because we oppose foreign investment, but because genuine partnership should strengthen the nation that hosts it,” he said.
He called for transparency, technology transfer, the meaningful participation of Filipino scientists and industries, environmental responsibility, and measures that would allow the Philippines to develop higher-value industries.
“Prudence therefore requires transparency, technology transfer, meaningful participation of Filipino scientists and industries, responsible stewardship of the environment, and a clear commitment to moving our country up the value chain rather than remaining merely a source of raw materials and cheap labor,” David said.
The cardinal said the debate should go beyond the economic and technological benefits of the initiative and examine its effects on people and society.
Citing Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, David said the decisive issue surrounding artificial intelligence is not limited to what the technology can accomplish.
“In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the decisive issue is not what artificial intelligence can do, but what kind of human beings we are becoming,” he said. “Technology must remain the servant of humanity, never its master.”
David also cited Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti in warning against allowing geopolitical competition to turn the digital revolution into another instrument of domination.
“The return of the logic of ‘might makes right’ has repeatedly led humanity to conflict and war,” he said. “The digital revolution must not become another arena where technological power is used for domination rather than cooperation.”
The cardinal said the Catholic Church, as a communion of local churches across national borders, could offer a moral vision that rises above geopolitical rivalries.
“She does not ask nations to abandon their legitimate interests, but to place them at the service of the common good of the entire human family,” he said.
David said Pax Silica should ultimately be judged not only by whether it strengthens economies or expands the power of artificial intelligence.
“The real question is whether it will help build what Pope Leo calls a civilization of love rather than a culture of power—a future in which technological progress serves human dignity, social fraternity, care for our common home, and peace among nations,” he said.
