LEGAZPI CITY: Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente 'Joey' Salceda said that the country's development should not be used as diplomatic leverage after the Chinese government withdrew funding for three railway projects, including the anticipated South Long-Haul project that aims to extend the railway from Bicol to Matnog, Sorsogon.

'Japan has just provided the trains for the new North-South Commuter Railway Project a few months ago. And our countries are closer than ever. I think Japan will be very happy to take over financing a project that China has vacated,' Salceda said in a statement.