MANILA, Philippines — A group of construction workers has challenged Ramon Tulfo, special envoy to China, to spend three days at a work site for saying Filipino laborers are lazy slowpokes in his justification of hiring Chinese workers. In a note shared by Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philipines, "construction workers representing workers in the Construction Industry Tripartite Council" called him out for the comments, which they said were oppressive and offensive. They said countless homes, including those of Tulfo and his family would also not have been built if not for construction workers. To the Filipino construction workers: Why should I apologize to you for telling the truth that you’re basically lazy and a slowpoke? — Ramon Tulfo (@RamonTulfoII) March 9, 2019Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in a briefing on Monday, said Tulfo's comments against Filipino workers is "freedom of expression."

Source: Philippine Star March 11, 2019 05:35 UTC