MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday admitted that he still has misgivings about the Paris climate pact, saying the historic agreement is tilted in favor of industrialized nations.

“[May] misgivings ako sa climate change [pact], even [former President Fidel] Ramos criticized me [for not signing the pact]. It was a Cabinet decision, I said, ‘Let’s put it to a vote,’” Duterte said during the inauguration and ceremonial switch-on of an Iloilo coal plant in Malacañang.

(I have misgivings on the climate change pact, even former President Fidel Ramos criticized me for not signing the pact. It was a Cabinet decision. I said, ‘Let’s put it to a vote.’)

Earlier this month, Duterte agreed to the country’s ratification of the climate pact aimed at slashing greenhouse gases and keeping global temperature increases to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.

But Duterte stressed that the decision was made by his Cabinet and not him.

In Paris last December, nearly 200 countries -- including the Philippines under then-President Benigno Aquino III -- agreed on a binding global compact to slash greenhouse gases and keep global temperature increases to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.

Manila promised to cut carbon emissions by 70 percent by year 2030, even if the country is not a major emitter.

Wealthy countries were also asked to set aside at least $100 billion yearly as financial assistance to developing countries to enable all countries to actualize renewable energy sources starting 2020.

Duterte, however, noted that the financial aspect of the pact remains a thorny issue.

“It is a common fund where you can borrow and start to build maybe whatever gadgets that would promote to a minimal thing your carbon emissions. Who gets the deal here?” he said.

“Sabi ko, you guys, the big nations, all the past centuries during the industrialization stage, kayo ang nag-pollute, until now. Why would I be a member and you dictate the terms because you are the contributors of the common $200 billion (sic; it's $100 billion per year. Eds) na wala pang siguro.”

(I said, you guys the big nations, all the past centuries, during the industrialization stage, you polluted the world, even until now. Why would I be a member and you dictate the terms because you are the contributors of the common $200 billion (sic) that is not even sure yet.)

Duterte said the climate pact will stifle the Philippines’ goal of becoming an industrialized nation.

He argued, coal remains the cheapest source of power and that turning to solar and wind may be complicated.

“We canot abandon the sources of energy. Sun, wind? Karamihan ng hangin nasa ulo ng pulitko (most of the air are in the heads of politicians),” he said.

“The cheapest way is really to have coal.”