PHL’s leverage vs. China? ‘Puso,’ Cayetano says

For Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, the Philippines' leverage over China as regards the dispute in the South China Sea is --- in basketball lingo --- "puso" or heart.

Cayetano made the remark during the briefing of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea with lawmakers from the House of Representatives on the recent developments in the disputed region.

The Philippines refers to some parts of the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea.

During the briefing, ACT Teacher's party-list Representative France Castro noted that the Philippines could be in a disadvantaged position in dealing with China as regards the conflicted area west of the Philippines.

She asked Cayetano, however, what he thinks could be the Philippines' advantage over China.

"Pasensya na po kayo sa sagot ko," Cayetano replied. "Pero sasagutin ko kayo sa lenggwahe ng basketball --- puso."

"[Kumbaga] mas matangkad sila, mas masustansya ang kinakain nila, mas mahal ang coach nila, yung coliseum nila enggrande. Pero tayo puso," he added.

The word "puso" has been associated with Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine's national men's basketball team who represents the country in various international competitions.

Cayetano pointed out that despite their success, China needs to have a peaceful neighborhood in the Southeast Asian region.

"And they won't have a peaceful neighborhood kung nag-aaway tayo because they can't ignore us. And we can't also ignore them," he said.

In the same briefing, Cayetano disproved criticisms that the Philippine government is being subservient to China.

In fact, he said the government has filed "several dozens" of diplomatic protests against China over its incursions in the West Philippine Sea.  — RSJ, GMA News