Lacson, Marcoleta exchange words on 'parroting' China claims

Senators Ping Lacson and Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday continued to debate on the latter’s supposed echoing of China's pronouncements on the West Philippine Sea. 

In an ambush interview, Lacson insisted that Marcoleta’s narratives on the West Philippine Sea allegedly resemble those from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on its website. 

“[It’s] unsettling, to say the least. Because this is national security that we're talking about, especially na medyo delikado or delicate ‘yung situation. Parang in the advent of the Iran War, parang iniisip ng marami baka magka World War III. Di ba, delikado yun,” Lacson said. 

(It's unsettling, to say the least. Because this is national security that we're talking about, especially that the situation is quite dangerous or delicate. It's like in the advent of the Iran War, many people seem to think that there might be World War III. That's dangerous, right?)

“At pag nag-escalate yan at kumalat pa sa Pacific region, medyo kawawa naman tayo. And tayo, as a very weak country militarily, ‘wag na nating gatungan pa, ‘wag na nating dagdagan,” he added. 

(And if that escalates and spreads to the Pacific region, it will be bad for us. We are a very weak country militarily, so let’s not add fuel to it any more.) 

Marcoleta, in response, asked when he ever defended China.

“Naniniwala ka sa kanya? Kayo, anong sinabi ko tungkol sa China? Paano ko dinefend ang China? You tell me, when? When? Tell me, May sinabi ako pabor sa China? When?” Marcoleta told reporters in a separate ambush interview. 

(Do you believe him? What did I say about China? How did I defend China? You tell me, when? When? Tell me, did I say anything in favor of China? When?”

On Tuesday, Lacson gave a privilege speech, slamming Marcoleta for the latter's supposed "ego-driven provocations," alleging that he has become "obsessed" in defending China. 

The two senators have traded barbs over matters concerning the West Philippine Sea and the flood control scandal. 

Asked why he thinks he is Marcoleta’s “favorite” to argue with, Lacson quipped, “Siguro mas pogi ako sa kanya.”

(Maybe because I’m more handsome than him.) 

Special treatment?

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III shrugged off accusations that Lacson was given special treatment during the plenary session on Tuesday. 

This, after Marcoleta questioned why Lacson gave his privilege speech immediately after the session started. 

“Sa Senado, ‘pag tumayo ka o gusto mo tumayo, wala kaming rule. Gusto mo sa prayer mag speech ka…okay lang ‘yun, walang problema. Kung gusto mo magsalita after the prayer, point of personal privilege, eh di tumayo ka,” Sotto said. 

(In the Senate, if you want to stand, we don’t have a rule. You want to make a speech after the prayer…that’s okay, no problem. If you want to speak after the prayer about a point of personal privilege, then do so.) 

“Apparently hindi mo alam ‘yung rule. Walang VIP treatment. Although he’s the SP Pro Tempore, remember he’s the Vice President of the Senate. Pero gusto niyang tumayo on a certain time, hindi natin maawat yun,” he added. 

(Apparently you don't know the rule. There’s no VIP treatment. Although he's the SP Pro Tempore, remember he's the Vice President of the Senate. But he wants to make a speech at a certain time, we can't prevent him from doing so.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News