THE word war between Chinese embassy officials and Philippine government authorities has spread to Congress with lawmakers clashing on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.
Two congressmen clashed during a House session on Monday after one accused the other of “protecting China” in his privilege speech.
This developed as the Senate also experienced a tense exchange of words between Senators Francis Pangilinan and Rodante Marcoleta during interpellations on a resolution condemning recent statements by the Chinese embassy against Philippine officials and institutions.
In his privilege speech, House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan called for discipline and professionalism among government officials when addressing sensitive foreign policies, including the WPS controversy.
Libanan did not mention Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela’s name in his privilege speech, but later confirmed that he was indeed referring to him.
Following Libanan’s privilege speech, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez accused him of defending China after all the reported aggressions it has done to PCG vessels and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.
“I am insulted that a member of this Congress will stand up in favor of China. Jay Tarriela is doing his job as spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard! The very reason why (Tarriela) has to move and act is because China has been violating the sovereign rights of the Filipino people for so many years,” Rodriguez said.
“At this point, I cannot understand why we are protecting China who has been the cause of all this aggression… I’d like to ask again (the) Minority Leader if our PCG spokesman has violated the Code of Conduct of public officials. Because I would like you to read each one of what you have cited and I will show that he has complied with all the laws of our country in his heart and mind,” Rodriguez added.
Libanan countered by saying that even though the country is receiving these aggressions from China, government officials should deal with it professionally.
“I am not defending China as I said in my speech. What I am saying is that we have to act with professionalism, discipline, and manage our international relations properly,” Libanan said.
He also said that his privilege speech aims to know if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) authorized Tarriela in speaking out for the country.
At the Senate, the debate between Pangilinan and Marcoleta unfolded as the Upper Chamber discussed Senate Resolution No. 256, which seeks to formally denounce the embassy’s remarks and reaffirm the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS.
Marcoleta raised concerns about the absence of specific coordinates defining the extent of the WPS being asserted by the Philippines, saying clarity was necessary to determine the scope of the country’s claims.
Pangilinan countered that the country’s rights in the disputed waters had already been affirmed by an international arbitral tribunal and did not require redefinition.
“There’s nothing to defend. It has been resolved in our favor. What we have to now is to defend and uphold the ruling,” he argued.
