Romnick Sarmenta questions how Pax Silica will benefit Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — Actor Romnick Sarmenta has reiterated his opposition to the proposed Pax Silica project in the Philippines, questioning how the planned AI-focused industrial hub would benefit Filipinos.
In a video shared on his X account, Romnick questioned why the Philippines was being considered for the project when larger countries with more expansive territories could potentially host similar developments.
“Sabi nila, ang bansang Pilipinas ay maliit, masikip, watak-watak na mga isla, at overpopulated. So ang tanong ko, bakit dito itatayo ‘yong Pax Silica na data centers?” he said.
“Bakit hindi sa mga bansa ng mga foreign proponents kung saan mas malawak at wala sigurong madi-displaced na indigenous people at mga magsasaka?” he added.
Sharing this here pic.twitter.com/K5hScX27EH
— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) September 14, 2026
Romnick also questioned whether the project would create enough opportunities for Filipinos, particularly if foreign companies would benefit from the country's resources while Filipinos would mainly provide labor.
“Kasi kung sasabihin nila na pagtutulong iyon at gusto nilang makapag-bigay ng trabaho sa mga Pilipino, puwede naman nilang itayo sa mga bansa nila. Tapos i-open nila ‘yong employment para sa mga qualified Filipinos,” he said.
“Alangan naman construction worker lang tayo tapos iba ‘yong makikinabang. Ganoon ba ‘yong usapan? Hindi ko alam. Marami akong hindi alam, marami pa akong dapat na matutunan at pag-aralan,” he added.
Romnick further raised concerns about the project's potential impact on natural resources, agricultural land and Indigenous communities.
“Pero ang malinaw sa akin, hindi pagtulong ‘yong natural resources natin ang gagamitin, lupa natin ang gagamitin, papatagin ang mga bundok, puputulin ang mga puno, tatanggalan ng lugar ‘yong mga magsasaka at saka ‘yong mga indigenous people, tapos tulong ‘yon sa atin?” he said.
“Paano ‘yon naging tulong sa atin? Hindi malinaw, e,” he added.
The proposed Pax Silica development in New Clark City, Tarlac, is part of a US-led initiative focused on strengthening supply chains for semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Philippine officials have described the proposed hub as an industrial and manufacturing ecosystem rather than a massive data-center complex.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority has said the project could attract investments and create high-quality jobs, while also addressing concerns over water supply, environmental impact and Indigenous peoples' rights.
However, concerns from farmers, Indigenous communities and other groups have also been raised over possible effects on land, livelihoods and ancestral domains.
As of August, government officials said key terms of the proposed project remained unsettled and that formal negotiations had yet to begin.
Romnick previously spoke out against Pax Silica, saying he did not believe the Philippines needed AI center hubs.
RELATED: Pax Silica: Debunking the myths
