PDP-Laban senatorial candidate and former Secretary Raul Lambino gestures during the press launch of the 2025 Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU). Seated beside him is business leader Sixto Benedicto, president of Binondo, Manila-based Benedicto Steel Corp. Lambino and Benedicto serve as chairman and president, respectively, of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding Inc. (APCU), the organization behind the award.
PDP-Laban senatorial candidate and former Secretary Raul Lambino has expressed confidence that the Philippines and China can further strengthen their “highly productive economic relations” benefiting Filipinos despite ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
“Strong economic relations with China are crucial for the Philippines, especially since China is our largest export market,” said Lambino, who also serves as chairman of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding Inc. (APCU).
Lambino emphasized that enhancing these relations could boost Philippine exports of agricultural products, electronics, and other goods while attracting more Chinese investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology.
These developments, he added, would create much-needed jobs for Filipinos.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from January 17 to 20 revealed that 94 percent of Filipinos would vote for candidates in the May 12 midterm elections who prioritize “increasing job opportunities.”
The Philippines exported goods worth $19.041 billion to China, including its special administrative region of Hong Kong, in 2024, according to figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“The Philippine companies exporting goods to China provide gainful employment to many Filipinos,” Lambino said. “As these firms increase their export sales to China, they will also undoubtedly create additional jobs for our people.”
Lambino served in the Cabinet of the previous administration, and held posts as chief executive officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon.
His remarks come as Filipino-Chinese groups begin preparations for the 50th anniversary of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China on June 9, 1975.
Meanwhile, the APCU has launched its 2025 search for outstanding Filipinos who have significantly contributions to fostering friendly relations and promoting mutual understanding between the Philippines and China.
The Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) recognizes Filipinos who have used their advocacy or expertise in fields such as mass media, public service, trade and commerce, arts, culture, and the sciences to improve people-to-people relations between the two nations.
Nominations can be submitted via the APCU website from February 26 to March 25.
Past awardees include former First Lady Imelda Marcos, former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte, former Ambassadors Francis Chua, Francisco Benedicto, and Carlos Chan, as well as businessman and philanthropist Larry Tan Villareal, and academician Gabriel Ma. Lopez of Ateneo de Manila University.
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