Sen. Erwin Tulfo Speaks on Ongoing Negotiations between PH and China
ERWIN TULFO – The new Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman said he will talk to senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan.
One of the long-standing issues that the Philippines has with another country is the territorial dispute with China. Both countries are asserting their claims on the West Philippine Sea.
Despite the 2016 ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal which favored the Philippines on its territorial claim over the West Philippine Sea, China continued to assert its claim. There were even recent reported incidents of tension between the Philippine and the Chinese coast guards in the disputed territory.
Recently, 15 senators signed a Senate resolution condemning the remarks of the Embassy of China against the government officials who assert the claim of the Philippines on the disputed territories. Some senators did not agree with the resolution.
According to Senator Robin Padilla, respect must come from both sides. On the issue that was reportedly triggered by the use of the caricature of Chinese leader Xi Jin Ping, Padilla stressed that even though he is an opposition he will also get mad if it will be done to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Here are the senators who supported and opposed the Senate Resolution No. 256:
SIGN
- Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
- Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III
- Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson
- Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri
- Erwin T. Tulfo
- Risa Hontiveros
- Raffy T. Tulfo
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Loren Legarda
- Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito
- Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV
- Camille A. Villar
- Mark A. Villar
- Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada
- Manuel “Lito” Lapid
DID NOT SIGN
- Robin Padilla
- Imee Marcos
- Rodante Marcoleta
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Christopher “Bong” Go
- Bato dela Rosa
Sen. Robin Padilla also asked why the Philippine Coast Guard did not buy stronger water cannons and fired back at China. His remarks earned him massive criticisms. Amid the ongoing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines, Sen. Erwin Tulfo claimed that he will ask his fellow senators to ‘tone down personal attacks’ to Chinese officials.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Sen. Erwin Tulfo who heads the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations recognized that there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the claim of the Philippines on the disputed territories. However, he believes that supposed personal attacks should be avoided so they will not affect the negotiations for a code of conduct or COC in the disputed area.
“Okay naman, we keep on saying that is ours (West Philippine Sea), totoo naman. We have a claim. Hindi naman pwedeng itikom ang bibig natin. ‘Yung personal na lang siguro,” the Senator said.
Based on the report, Sen. Erwin Tulfo admitted that he will talk to Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan over the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines. He claimed that he will also talk to the National Security Council.
“But still we are going to review that. Kakausapin ko si Senators Hontiveros at Pangilinan regarding that matter. Siguro next week, we’ll go down, kakausapin naman po ang National Security Council natin, kasi ang statements nila, minsan personal na,” Tulfo added.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo clarified that toning down the statements against the Chinese officials does not mean limiting their sentiments. According to the Senator, it only means to keep the discussions focused on the issue.
Previously, minority Sen. Robin Padilla issued a warning to those who are allegedly trying to pick a fight with China.