Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson described as “unsettling” the prospect of a Philippine lawmaker echoing China’s territorial positions, warning of grave implications for national security amid escalating global tensions. He raised the alarm following his privilege speech on Tuesday, where he presented evidence that statements from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the West Philippine Sea mirrored narratives on the website of China’s ministry of foreign affairs.
On Tuesday, Lacson delivered a privilege speech presenting evidence that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s statements on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) mirrored narratives posted on the website of China’s ministry of foreign affairs. “It’s unsettling to say the least. This is national security we’re talking about,” Lacson told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Appointments committee on national defense moved to strike the word “satsat” (idle gossip) from its records after Marcoleta used it to describe public statements by maritime experts.
The incident occurs amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines stated that a proposed Code of Conduct (COC) must not undermine the rights and interests of other countries. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro made the remark following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement that COC negotiations had reached “crunch time.”