Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the use of “ad hominem” or personal attacks against officials and lawmakers who uphold a pro-Philippine stance on the territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Lacson fired back at Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, who suggested that a “Coast Guard spokesperson” and some “senators” be at the frontline or be used as cannon fodder if China declares war on the Philippines, after his father got flak for suggesting that we give up the Kalayaan Islands.
In a post on X, Lacson also said the younger Marcoleta should stick to the issue and visit Pag-Asa Island in the KIG, which is part of Palawan province, so he can get a firsthand look at the functioning Philippine local government there.
“The son also rises with his own ad hominem. Suggesting to use the PCG spokesman and some senators as cannon fodder if China declares war against the Philippines is uncalled for. He should visit Pag-Asa Island in KIG and see for himself the functioning local government there,” he said.
In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang mga Personal na Pag-atake sa Isyu ng WPS
The son also rises with his own ad hominem. Suggesting to use the PCG spokesman and some senators as cannon fodder if China declares war against the Philippines is uncalled for. He should visit Pag-Asa Island in KIG and see for himself the functioning local government there.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) February 8, 2026
Lacson had visited the island in November 2021 – after which he pushed for a budget to improve the Philippines’ defense posture as well as additional school facilities and teachers for the island.
He proposed amendments to the 2022 budget to fund facilities in the Kalayaan Island Group, which amounted to P254.241 million, including:
* P5.393 million for the procurement of power system requirements;
* P15.351 million for the procurement of rubber boats with outboard motors;
* P233.497 million for the procurement of communication and other mission-essential equipment for KIG detachments.
* additional P38.509 million for the Pagasa Island Research Station (PIRS), whose support and development would be key to understanding and sustainably utilize marine resources in the West Philippine Sea. This includes P10 million for a two-storey dormitory building/marine facility and P28.509 million to purchase marine scientific and oceanographic equipment.
Also, Lacson sought additional school facilities and teachers in Pagasa Island as well as added benefits for teachers. He also proposed that the government put up a high school building or integrate the high school facilities with the existing elementary school building; and hire at least one multigrade teacher who can teach high school. He also sought the DepEd’s commitment for a Special Hardship Allowance (SHA) for the two teachers in Pag-asa Island, noting this can be taken from the budget for the Last Mile Schools program.
The Department of Education approved the Pagasa Island Integrated Elementary and High School effective School Year 2022-2023.
“KIG is a municipality of Palawan. Ako nakapunta ako sa Pagasa. Meron doong LGU na functioning. Barangay yan. Meron doong iskwelahan (Kalayaan Island Group is a municipality of Palawan. I visited the area, there is a functioning LGU there, with a barangay and school),” Lacson stressed in an interview on DZBB radio Sunday morning.
He also recalled that when he visited the island in 2021, Chinese Coast Guard ships were visible to the naked eye, while the local Marines said Chinese vessels would enter the exclusive economic zone but would leave when challenged.
“Sabi ko you keep challenging them kasi tine-test kayo yan. For all we know baka nag-test sila nakakapasok na sila. Alam mo pag (pasok) nila sa Pagasa, that is really invasion. Kasi inhabited may Pilipino doon, mga fishermen (I told them to keep challenging the Chinese vessels because they are testing them and would likely enter if not challenged. That would be an invasion because there are Filipinos living in Pagasa),” he said.
Last Feb. 6, the younger Marcoleta had posted on his Facebook account that if China declares war on the Philippines, Coast Guard spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela and some senators should be made the frontliners or cannon fodder.
He claimed those advocating a pro-Philippine stance are the traitors who have put Filipinos at risk, adding that one cannot fight for the WPS through posturing and “pahashtag-hashtag lang.”
Only last Wednesday, Lacson shut down the suggestion of Marcoleta’s father, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, that the Philippines give up the KIG, by citing a long-standing legal principle supporting the Philippines’ ownership of the KIG.
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Lacson, Tinuligsa ang mga Personal na Pag-atake sa Isyu ng WPS
Binatikos ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Linggo ang paggamit ng mga “ad hominem” o personal na atake laban sa mga opisyal at mambabatas na naninindigan para sa Pilipinas sa usapin ng teritoryo laban sa China sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Rumesbak si Lacson sa mungkahi ni Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, na gawing bala sa kanyon ang isang “Coast Guard spokesperson” at ilang “senador” kung magdeklara ng giyera ang China sa sa Pilipinas – matapos umani ng batikos ang ama niya dahil sa mungkahing isuko ang Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
Sa post sa X, sinabi ni Lacson na hindi dapat lumayo isyu ang nakababatang Marcoleta at bisitahin ang Pag-asa Island sa KIG, na bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan, upang makita mismo ang maayos at gumaganang lokal na pamahalaan doon.
“The son also rises with his own ad hominem. Suggesting to use the PCG spokesman and some senators as cannon fodder if China declares war against the Philippines is uncalled for. He should visit Pag-Asa Island in KIG and see for himself the functioning local government there,” ani Lacson.
Matapos ang kanyang pagbisita sa isla noong Nobyembre 2021, isinulong ni Lacson ang kaukulang pondo para mapalakas ang depensa ng bansa at madagdagan ang pasilidad sa paaralan at guro sa naturang isla.
Nagpanukala siya ng mga amiyenda sa 2022 budget para pondohan ang mga pasilidad sa KIG na nagkakahalaga ng P254.241 milyon, kabilang ang:
* P233.497 milyon para sa communication at iba pang mission-essential equipment ng mga detachment sa KIG;
* P38.509 milyon para sa Pag-asa Island Research Station (PIRS), kabilang ang dormitoryo at kagamitang pang-agham;
* P15.351 milyon para sa mga rubber boat na may outboard motors;
* P5.393 milyon para sa power system requirements.
Bukod sa imprastraktura, tiniyak din ni Lacson ang pagtatatag ng Pag-asa Island Integrated Elementary and High School na nagsimula noong School Year 2022-2023. Isinulong din niya ang Special Hardship Allowance (SHA) para sa mga gurong nakatalaga sa Pag-asa Island sa ilalim ng programang “Last Mile Schools” ng DepEd.
Sa isang panayam sa DZBB nitong Linggo ng umaga, binigyang-diin ni Lacson na ang KIG ay isang munisipalidad ng Palawan na may buhay na komunidad at pamahalaan.
“KIG is a municipality of Palawan. Ako nakapunta ako sa Pag-asa. Meron doong LGU na functioning. Barangay ‘yan. Mayroon doong iskwelahan,” giit ni Lacson.
Ikinuwento rin niya na noong bumisita siya noong 2021, tanaw ang mga barko ng Chinese Coast Guard. Sinabihan niya ang mga lokal na Marines na huwag tumigil sa pag-challenge sa mga dayuhang barko.
“Sabi ko you keep challenging them kasi tine-test kayo yan. For all we know baka nag-test sila nakakapasok na sila. Alam mo pag (pasok) nila sa Pagasa, that is really invasion. Kasi inhabited may Pilipino doon, mga fishermen,” aniya.
Noong Pebrero 6, nag-post ang nakababatang Marcoleta sa Facebook na tinatawag na “taksil” ang mga naninindigan para sa WPS at nilalagay lamang daw sa panganib ang mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng “pahashtag-hashtag lang.”
Nitong nakaraang Miyerkules, tinapos din ni Lacson ang suhestiyon ng ama ng kongresista na si Sen. Rodante Marcoleta na isuko ang KIG, gamit ang mga legal na prinsipyo na nagpapatunay na ang Pilipinas ang tunay na may-ari ng naturang teritoryo.
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