Now that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan has expressed willingness to sit down with Philippine leaders to ease the word war between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is open to initiating a dialogue between the Senate and the Chinese Embassy.
Lacson, who described Ambassador Jing’s statement as a “pleasant surprise,” said Saturday afternoon he will propose to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that the Senate invite the Chinese diplomats to a meeting or a dialogue.
“I will suggest to the Senate President that the dialogue include at least members of the Senate majority. The minority can send their representatives to take part,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DWIZ radio.
“To me, that’s a good opening we should consider and we should grab the opportunity to initiate such talks. We can meet at the Senate, or the embassy grounds, or a neutral area. It would be good to sit down and discuss what needs to be discussed. After all, we have diplomatic ties with China. We even have a One China Policy,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Nais Magka-Dayalogo ang mga Senador at Chinese Embassy sa Isyu ng WPS
Lacson also said it would be better that Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who authored a Senate resolution condemning the Chinese embassy’s recent remarks against Philippine lawmakers and public officials, join the dialogue, along with Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Senate foreign relations committee chairman Erwin Tulfo could also take part in the meeting, he added.
“It would be better to meet face to face, because it would be more cordial and professional – instead of debating the issue in the Senate session hall,” he said. “The ambassador has said ‘let’s talk.’ That’s an open invitation and a good opening to discuss things in a cordial, professional and diplomatic atmosphere.”
Jing was quoted as saying earlier this week that the Chinese side “always advocates dialogue,” adding, “Let’s sit down. Let’s talk. Let’s find ways to manage differences.”
His remarks followed the Senate’s adoption of a resolution condemning the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s remarks criticizing Philippine officials who asserted maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“We may have our disagreements regarding territory, but we can at least agree on how to handle the situation through discourse,” Lacson said.
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Lacson, Nais Magka-Dayalogo ang mga Senador at Chinese Embassy sa Isyu ng WPS
Matapos ipahayag ni Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan ang kahandaang makipagpulong sa mga lider ng Pilipinas upang mapahupa ang palitan ng maaanghang na pahayag sa pagitan ng mga diplomatang Tsino at mga opisyal ng Pilipinas, nais ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson na magpasimula ng dayalogo sa pagitan ng Senado at ng Chinese Embassy.
Ani Lacson, na itinuring na “pleasant surprise” ang pahayag ni Jing, imumungkahi niya kay Senate President Vicente Sotto III na anyayahan ng Senado ang mga diplomatang Tsino sa isang pulong o dayalogo.
“I will suggest that to the Senate President, at least kasama namin sa majority. Kung gusto sumama ng minority, okay rin kung sino ang representative nila,” aniya sa panayam sa DWIZ radio.
“Sa akin that’s a good opening we should consider and we should grab the opportunity na mag-initiate tayo, mag-imbitahan tayo maski sa Senate o maski sa embassy grounds, maski saang neutral area. Magandang mag-upo at mag-discuss kung ano ba ang mga dapat pagusapan at pagusapan nang maayos. After all may diplomatic relations sa China, may One China Policy tayo,” dagdag niya.
Ani Lacson, makabubuti kung makadalo sa dayalogo si Sen. Francis Pangilinan, na may-akda ng resolusyon sa Senado na kumokondena sa kamakailang pahayag ng Chinese Embassy laban sa mga mambabatas at opisyal ng Pilipinas, gayundin si Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Maaari rin umanong makibahagi sa pulong si Senate foreign relations committee chairman Erwin Tulfo.
“Iba ang hayagan na harapan, mas cordial at professional yan kesa nandoon kami sa session hall tapos nagdedebate pa,” aniya. “Nagsalita ang ambassador na ‘let’s talk.’ That’s already an open invitation. Magandang opening yan para mapagusapan nang mas mahinahon at mas professional mas diplomatic ang atmosphere.”
Naunang napaulat na sinabi ni Jing nitong linggo na ang Tsina ay bukas sa dayalogo, at nanawagan na mag-usap.
Kasunod ng pahayag na ito ang pag-apruba ng Senado sa resolusyong kumokondena sa mga pahayag ng Chinese Embassy sa Maynila na pumuna sa mga opisyal ng Pilipinas na nagtataguyod ng mga karapatan ng bansa sa West Philippine Sea.
“Hindi man magkasundo sa territory, at least magkasundo sa pamamaraan ng discourse kung paano iha-handle,” ani Lacson.
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