ADVERTISEMENT
Lacson: Better for Palace to be quiet instead of debating on West Philippine Sea
By HANA BORDEY,GMA NewsFor Senator Panfilo Lacson, Malacañang should stay quiet rather than engage in a debate on the West Philippine issue.
"If you try doing too much damage control, and it becomes obvious, you just risk more damage. The issue is finished, there is no more debate," Lacson said in a radio interview Saturday.
"A piece of unsolicited advice to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque or those in Malacanang: It is better to just stay quiet. After all, the debate won't push through."
Lacson pointed out that there was no reason for further discussions on a debate between President Rodrigo Duterte and former Justice Antonio Carpio as the public will view this as an “obvious attempt” at damage control.
"But if there is overkill in the attempt at damage control, the more it becomes damaging on their part," he added.
Furthermore, damage control would only worsen the deep political divisions in the country.
Lacson reiterated the need to have a united stand on the West Philippine Sea with an independent political stand, instead of siding with two political camps.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his Wednesday night address, Duterte challenged Carpio to a debate on the withdrawal of Navy ships during a 2012 standoff with China at Scarborough Shoal. He vowed to resign if proven false and challenged Carpio to a debate.
Carpio accepted the challenge, but Malacañang on Friday said Roque would debate Carpio in Duterte's behalf.
Senators said that a Duterte-Carpio debate would not benefit the country. — DVM, GMA News