Pointless to file diplomatic protest vs. US ban on PHL officials —Koko

As far as Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III is concerned, it is pointless to file a diplomatic protest against the move of two US senators to ban the entry of Philippine officials allegedly involved in the "wrongful imprisonment" of Senator Leila de Lima.

Pimentel made the remark after US President Donald Trump signed their 2020 national budget which includes a provision introduced by US Senators Richard Durbin and Democrat Patrick Leahy prohibiting the entry of Philippine officials involved in the detention of the opposition senator.

"Pointless na mag-diplomatic protest kasi conclusion ng mga legislator nila 'yun e. Wala nang epekto 'yun dito sa atin kasi meron tayong sariling process," Pimentel said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV.

"Huwag na tayo mag-protesta diyan kasi hindi rin naman nila babaguhin 'yun. Tapos na 'yun e. Fact na 'yun e," he added.

Durbin earlier tweeted that he was elated that the amendment he and Leahy passed was included in their final budget bill, saying that it was about time that De Lima's "politically motivated imprisonment to come to an end."

Prior to this, a US Senate resolution condemning De Lima's detention and calling for her release also passed at the committee level.

But all these resolutions will not matter to the Philippines, Pimentel said, as the country has its own laws to follow.

"Kung ang reason nga nila ay i-pressure ang ating Philippine government officials, pakikialam na 'yun. Pero ang sasabihin naman natin sa kanila, sorry, walang magbabago sa Pilipinas dahil sa ginagawa nila. Kasi meron tayong mga procedure e," he said.

Pimentel pointed out that once a person has been charged, only the court has jurisdiction over him or her.

"Kahit ano pang resolusyon ang gawin nila, kahit ilang government officials pa ang i-sanction nila, walang epekto dito 'yun because we have our system," he added.

In an apparent retaliation, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an entry ban on Durbin and Leahy to the Philippines, according to his spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

The government would likewise require American citizens to secure a visa before entering the Philippines if the US will impose the entry ban, Panelo added.

Pimentel noted that it is the prerogative of any country to ban entry of any individual it so decides, as it is a practice of its national sovereignty.

"Kunwari sabihin ng Amerika, bawal pumunta doon ang Philippine government officials, ayaw nilang papuntahin doon, wala tayong magagawa doon, tanggapin natin 'yun. Bansa nila 'yun e, lupa nila 'yun, tayo ang gustong bumisita doon," he said.

"Ngayon, kung tayo naman gusto nating pangalanan na ang dalawang US senators na hindi kayo puwedeng pumunta rito, puwede rin nating gawin 'yun," he added.

Following Duterte's order, Leahy's spokesman David Carle said anyone—including Philippine officials—has the right to freely express their opinion, but he maintained that the charges against De Lima are politically motivated. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News