Ping, Isko differ on whether Philippines should stay neutral on Russia-Ukraine

Three of the nine presidential hopefuls attending CNN Philippines' presidential debates on Sunday agree that the Philippines should remain neutral on the issue of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At the debate, moderator Pinky Webb quoted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as saying, "Wala naman tayong pakialam sa Europe, kung anong ginagawa nila doon. Hindi naman tayo katabi ng Ukraine. Yung mga bansang karatig nagpahayag na ng suporta sa Ukraine. Tayo, neutral muna tayo ngayon."

The presidential aspirants were asked to raise their hands if they agree with this sentiment. Only three—former Foreign Affairs undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and businessman Faisal Mangondato—raised their hands.

Another presidential hopeful, Senator Panfilo Lacson, argued against neutrality, saying that what Russia is doing is clearly an aggression and it should be condemned.

“Article 1 ng UN Charter—signatory tayo dyan ano, na kapag may ganyang aggressor dapat may pakialam tayo. So may karapatan tayo magkondena sa ginawa ng Russia,” he said.

“While we renounce war as an instrument of foreign policy, nasa Constitution natin ‘yan, pero mayroon tayong pakialam kasi signatory tayo sa UN Charter,” he went on.

Lacson then reiterated his suggestion for the government to join other “peace-loving” nations in calling out Russia over its acts against Ukraine.

“Katulad ng sabi ko di masama kung makisama tayo sa mga peace-loving nations para maging bahagi ang boses natin na pagkondena kasi aggression talaga yan e, invasion e,” he said.

“At ako sumasaludo kay President [Volodymyr] Zelenskiy. Living hero na eh. Dahil tuwing makita ko siya kinikilabutan ako dahil naroon siya katabi ng mga sundalo niya at handang mamatay para sa kanyang bayan. Yan ang tunay na leader,” he added.

'Ano naman ang kinalaman ni Juan Del Cruz'

In response, Moreno said that the Philippines should remain neutral, and that that what is important to him is evacuating the Filipinos in Ukraine.

He added, "Ano naman ang kinalaman ni Juan Del Cruz, ni Pedro, sa kasalukuyang hirap na kinakaharap ng ating mga kababayan...I think, before going to other things, we should attend, at bigyan muna natin ng panahon, kung paano natin itatawid yung mga kababayan natin sa pandemyang ito."

Moreno went on, "While it is true, all at the same time, we recognize treaties and agreements and I respect that, in fact, tama po si Senator Lacson, but first things first, Filipino first. Mga kababayan muna natin dahil yun ang pangunahing trabaho ng isang presidente."

Lorenzana note

The other candidates—Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao, labor leader Leody De Guzman, doctor and lawyer Jose Montemayor Jr., and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales—kept their hands down, along with Lacson.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, resulting in a raft of sanctions and condemnations from around the world. The Department of Foreign Affairs has reported on the evacuations of Filipinos from the embattled country.

Lorenzana has since expanded on his statement, saying, "Of course, I care. We all care, we are humans.

"Not only should we be aware but also be concerned of what’s happening in different parts of the world. But I reiterate what I said that I hope the principal players in this developing scenario could resolve their differences in a friendly and amicable way. For now, our top priority is the repatriation of our citizens from Ukraine to a safer place," he added.  — BM, GMA News