Hontiveros on Duterte's ‘inutil’ self-description: ‘Baka tama siya pero nakakadismaya’

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she was dismayed by President Rodrigo Duterte's admission that he is inutile in asserting the country's claims in the West Philippine Sea as he claimed that China was "in possession."

"Imbes na palakasin ang loob ng bansa at ng mga Pilipino para ipaglaban ang Pinas, mukhang iniwan na tayo sa ere ng Presidente," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Ang masasabi lang ng presidente, inutil siya? Baka nga tama siya, pero nakakadismaya. By admitting he is 'inutil,' the president is negotiating from a position of weakness," she added.

Duterte made the remark during his fifth State of the Nation Address—four years after an arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled to invalidate China's claims in areas that lapsed with the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

He said China was "in possession" of the Philippines' claims and the country is not militarily equipped to go to war.

"China is claiming it, we are claiming it. China has the arms, we do not have it. So, it’s simple as that, they are in possession of the property," Duterte said.

"We have to go to war. And I cannot afford it. Maybe some other president can but I cannot. Inutil ako dyan, sabihin ko sa inyo, and we are willing to admit it," he added.

Hontiveros underscored that asserting sovereignty does not necessarily mean taking up arms.

"Maritime and international law experts have repeatedly said that creating a stronger international network is the best way to put our foot down with China," she said.

On Tuesday, other minority senators also slammed Duterte for showing "cowardice" in the West Philippine Sea dispute. —LDF, GMA News