Kiko, Marcoleta debate over China attacks vs. PH officials

Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Rodante Marcoleta traded barbs during the plenary session on Tuesday regarding the recent exchanges between the officials of the Chinese Embassy and Philippine government amid the South China Sea territorial dispute.

During the continuation of the period of interpellation for proposed Senate Resolution 256, Marcoleta questioned why Filipino government officials, specifically Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, would insult Chinese President Xi Jinping over the West Philippine Sea issue. 

"Nakalimutan po ba ninyo (Did you forget), Mr. President, in the context of our maritime disputes, we have shot and killed two Vietnamese fishermen in 2017 and one Taiwanese fisherman in 2013? Did Vietnam and Taiwan accuse us of sowing fear and interfering in our capacity to defend our claims?" Marcoleta asked. 

"Gusto ko lang pong ipasariwa sa inyo 'yung gan'un. Talaga pong nagkaroon ng gan'un eh. Ngunit sila, hindi naman tayo ginawan ng masama kahit na nakapatay tayo ng ilan sa kanilang mga tao. Ang pinag-uusapan po natin anong patutunguhan natin kung patutsadahang walang katapusan," he added. 

(I just want to remind you of that. Things like that happened. But they didn't do us any harm even though we killed some of their people. What will happen with all these exchanges?) 

Pangilinan, sponsor of the proposed resolution condemning the Chinese embassy's statements, said that what Marcoleta cited were isolated incidents involving Vietnam and Taiwan, and were not in the same realm as China's 24/7 "incursion and threatening" acts against the Philippines. 

"Mr. President, whether they complain or not, they're already in our exclusive economic zone. I'm sorry, but I'm trying to understand the position of the good gentleman in his defense of China and their position," Pangilinan said. 

Marcoleta, in return, said he is not defending China. 

"I am not defending China, Mr. President. I said, sinabi ko na kanina, ang ating discussion ngayon (what I’m saying a while ago and what we’re discussing now) is not in defense of any other country. We are defending Philippine interests," he answered. 

Marcoleta also said Tarriela should instead thank China for helping Filipino crew members of a stricken cargo vessel that capsized near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. 

"Ilan po ba, Mr. President, ang sinalba ng China kamakailan? 17 Filipinos, 17 fishermen. Ano po ang ginawa ni Commodore Tarriela? He was very condescending, Mr. President, imbes na pasalamatan niya ng buong puso sapagat 17 mga kababayan natin ang naisalba. 'Yung kanyang pagpapasalamat na ginawa is condescending," Marcoleta said. 

(How many, Mr. President, did China save recently? What did Commodore Tarriela do? He was very condescending, Mr. President, instead of thanking China with all his heart because they saved 17 of our countrymen. The way he thanked them was condescending.)

To recall, 15 senators signed the draft resolution denouncing the recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy against Filipino officials, which they described as "contrary to accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and mutual respect between states."

The senators called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take the necessary diplomatic measures to uphold the dignity of the Philippines and to ensure that relations with other states are conducted in accordance with international law and established principles of state relations. 

The Senate was supposed to adopt in the plenary session on January 27, the proposed resolution, but Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano had manifested to conduct a committee hearing on the issue first.

Cayetano is set to interpellate the matter on Wednesday, February 4.

Tension in Batasan, too

Meanwhile in the House of Representatives, tensions flared between lawmakers in plenary also over the exchanges between Tarriela and the Chinese embassy.

In his privilege speech, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan called out Tarriela for displaying a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The caricature was shown in one of the PCG official's speaking engagements and later uploaded on his social media account.

LIbanan's remarks drew the ire of Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who came to Tarriela's defense.

Rodriguez insisted that Libanan withdraw his speech, threatening to bring the matter before the House ethics panel should the formerr refuse to heed his call.

"Jay Tarriela is doing his job as spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard! ... Because China has been violating the sovereign rights of the Filipino people," Rodriguez said, adding that, "I cannot understand why we are protecting China." 

"I hope the minority leader recants his speech... Otherwise, I will be the one to make sure that there will be an ethics probe on this. A congressman—taking up the cudgels of our aggressor in the West Philippine Sea!" Rodriguez said.

Libanan, however, denied that he was defending China as he refused to withdraw his speech.

"What I am saying is that we have to act with professionalism, discipline, and manage our international relations properly," Libanan said.

"'Pag sumisigaw tayo palagi, 'di tayo maririnig. Madam Speaker, palagay ko ang boses ko mas malaki sa boses ng gentleman from Cagayan de Oro," he added.

(If we always shout, we are not heard. Madam Speaker, I think I have a bigger voice than the gentleman from Cagayan de Oro.)

Other congressmen later interceded between their two colleagues. — VDV, GMA Integrated News