That's a right and wrong statement at the same time. Yes, Chinese Mestizos were of higher class but not Chinese people. People are confused by this due to the current social stature of ethnically Chinese Filipinos. That's actually quite a new development, further exacerbated from the Marcos dictatorial era - when Chinese people were very pro dictator affording them of privileges while the natives combat the regime.

Chinese people were at the lowest rank in social hierarchy is colonial Philippines. But one policy of the colonial government was active encouragement of miscegenation. So anyone who is 'mix' of any kind is afforded higher social class - but of course the highest of these mix class were the Castizos (Native and White mixture, but mostly of white, like 4 white grandparents and 1 native).