The Commission on Appointments (CA) has deferred action on a request by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to amend the official record of a recent hearing, after he questioned how his remarks on maritime issues were reflected in the minutes.
Marcoleta asked the body to delete the entire portion of his interpellation with Capt. Jess B. Pilar from the Feb. 4 proceedings, saying the summary did not accurately capture his statements.
“As members of the Commission, it is our right and responsibility to ensure the accurate summation of our statements are rightfully reflected in our minutes,” Marcoleta said.
The issue surfaced during the CA’s Feb. 25 session, which discussed a resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalayaan, Palawan, seeking to remove language it deemed critical of the municipality and its position on the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
Marcoleta argued that the minutes failed to fully reflect his explanation of the legal distinctions between the West Philippine Sea and the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
He cited Republic Act No. 9552, which defines the Philippines’ archipelagic baselines as the reference for measuring maritime zones.
The senator also maintained that the 2016 arbitral ruling covered only the EEZ and asserted that four features in the KIG lie beyond that zone.
He argued that these features are considered rocks that do not generate their own EEZs, a position disputed by Pilar during the hearing.
The exchange stemmed from public statements by Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, including remarks and imagery directed at Xi Jinping that drew objections from the Chinese Embassy.
Marcoleta questioned whether any policy permits foreign leaders to be portrayed in such a manner and asked what strategic benefit resulted from the comments.
Military representatives said the statements were meant to assert Philippine rights under domestic law.
During the hearing, Marcoleta said the country should not risk lives over areas he believes are outside the EEZ and suggested that maritime claims could be clarified through broader engagement with neighboring states.
He cited a conversation in which the Chinese ambassador expressed openness to dialogue on practical matters such as fishing rights.
Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns about the limited time to review the proposed revisions to the minutes.
Majority Floor Leader Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo then moved to defer action on Marcoleta’s request to a later hearing. The motion was approved without objection.
