Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Recent Tense Exchanges Between PH-China
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President expressed her opinion on the word war between the officials of the Philippines and China.
Recently, several issues involving the Philippine officials as well as the Embassy of China took place and they gathered different opinions. One of which is about the use of a caricature of Chinese leader Xi Jinping used by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela during a lecture.
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and minority Sen. Robin Padilla were against it. According to Padilla, respect should come from both sides. He also claimed that he will also get mad if it will be done to Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Sen. Robin Padilla also asked why the Philippine Coast Guard did not purchase a stronger water cannon and fired back at China. His question earned him criticisms. He is one of those who did not sign the Senate resolution condemning the remarks of the Chinese officials against the Philippine government officials.
Several officials of the local government unit (LGUs) in Kalayaan, Palawan were declared persona non grata by the Chinese government. They are banned from entering China and Hong Kong. According to China, it is allegedly a reciprocal move on the LGU banning Chinese ambassador Jing Quan as well.
In the Senate, 15 senators signed the Senate Resolution No. 256 which condemns the insulting statements of the Chinese officials against the Philippine government officials who assert the country’s claim over the West Philippine Sea. Here are those who supported and did not sign the resolution:
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
Amid the issue, Jing Quan, the Ambassador of China to the Philippines, claimed that if they want a fight, they could have done it earlier. Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was asked about her opinion on the recent word war between the officials of China and the Philippine government officials.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was asked when she attended the burial of her uncle, Benjamin “Bong” Duterte, in Davao City. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Vice President claimed that she is not aware of the word war between some senators and the officials of the Embassy of China as well as PH Coast Guard spox Jay Tarriela but she believes that the Philippines should fix its relationship with its neighboring countries.
“Ang sa akin lang ay dapat ayusin natin ang ating relasyon sa lahat ng mga kapitbahay natin at sa lahat ng iba pang mga bansa sa buong mundo,” the Vice President said.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte refused to comment on the Senate resolution condemning the remarks of Chinese officials over the West Philippine Sea issue. Based on the report, she stressed that the question should be for the Office of the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Amid the issue, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela refused to apologize to China.