Kalayaan council seeks removal of Marcoleta's ‘give-up’ remark from CA records

The Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Kalayaan has asked the Commission on Appointments (CA) to expunge from congressional records the remarks suggesting that the Philippines should let go of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). 

To recall, Senator Rodante Marcoleta has been criticized over the controversial remark he made during a hearing of the CA committee on national defense last February 4. He, however, insisted that his words were taken out of context. 

Local officials of the Municipality of Kalayaan, on the other hand, stood firm that not one inch of their municipality is negotiable, and that any record suggesting otherwise is “a historical error that must be corrected.” 

“The statement made by a public official to ‘give up’ (i-give up na lang) the Kalayaan Island Group is felt by our constituents as a betrayal of their sacrifices and a dismissal of their right to live securely within their own territory,” the resolution read. 

“Such an institution effectively ‘orphans’ a legitimate political subdivision of the Republic of the Philippines and mocks the bravery of the men and women stationed at Pag-asa Island and surrounding features,” it added.

The council also argued that leaving the remark in the permanent records of the CA implies a recorded “consent” to their own disappearance, an act which they said, “is both unconstitutional and deeply injurious to the morale of the people of Kalayaan.” 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who also sits as chairman of the CA, said that he will look into the matter first “and find out the process to follow.” 

Sotto also confirmed that his office already received a copy of the resolution on Wednesday, February 18.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, meanwhile, backed the motion to expunge Marcoleta’s statement from CA records.   

“A motion to strike off the records of the CA is needed. A letter addressed to CA Chairman Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the CA Defense Committee Chairman will serve as a strong basis for such a motion,” Lacson said in a statement.  —AOL, GMA Integrated News