The Philippine opposition party Akbayan has asked the House of Representatives to investigate the country’s Pax Silica deal with the United States, according to a report by Inquirer.net. The request was made public on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Inquirer.net reports that Akbayan is seeking a legislative inquiry into the agreement, though the specific concerns driving the probe request were not detailed in the available summary. The party’s move signals growing political scrutiny of the deal.
Pax Silica is a project intended to boost the Philippines’ role in the global artificial intelligence value chain, as reported by the Philippine News Agency. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from Energy Secretary Garin, who told Rappler that the project is “too dangerous” to connect to the power grid. In contrast, the Department of Energy (DOE) has stated that Pax Silica will not affect energy supply in the Luzon grid, according to ABS-CBN. BusinessWorld Online added that the DOE expects adequate power to supply the Pax Silica projects.
The conflicting statements from government officials highlight tensions over the project’s energy requirements and safety. Akbayan’s call for a House probe adds a political dimension to the debate, potentially leading to further hearings on the deal’s implications.
Observers will watch whether the House committee takes up Akbayan’s request and how the DOE responds to the energy concerns raised by Secretary Garin.
