MANILA – The Palace on Monday said authorities were set to investigate restaurants in the country alleged to cater only Chinese customers rejecting Filipinos.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Filipinos can file a complaint against these restaurants as discrimination should not be allowed in the country.
“Authorities will investigate these alleged Chinese-owned restaurants which reject Filipinos. We cannot allow that to happen,” Panelo said. “It is public business, therefore it should cater to all.”
“The better thing to do for those who were rejected is to file a complaint,” he added. “Chinese restaurants cannot discriminate Filipinos.”
Netizens recently blasted on social media a restaurant in Las Piñas called China Food City that barred Filipinos from its premises as it was serving only Chinese workers employed in nearby online gaming companies.
Chinese-owned convenience stores in Makati and Pasay cities were also reported.
Residents and businessmen in Boracay complained about a sudden increase in Chinese restaurants operating along its main road.
The restaurants’ menus were written in Chinese characters and the staff belonged to the same nationality only serving their countrymen who came on group tours.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged the Department of Trade and Industry, local governments and other state agencies to use their authority and keep investors from China out of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We should prioritize Filipino entrepreneurs,” Lacson said. “If investors coming from China would do business even in SMEs, it will be alarming.”
“If they came here with billions of pesos to invest, there’s no reason why we should not welcome them because that will help our economy grow,” he added. “But they should not deprive Filipinos the chance to make their lives better.”
“It’s really annoying that Filipinos are being prevented from entering restaurants here,” said Lacson. /PN
