Tag: China

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Lacson: Senate to Meet, Define Ground Rules for Talks with Chinese Embassy on WPS Row

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The Senate will hold an all-senators’ caucus on Monday, Feb. 23, to set the ground rules for potential discussions with the Chinese Embassy on the West Philippine Sea dispute, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said the minority bloc can take part in the caucus if they wish.

“At least mag-establish kami ng parameters on how to communicate with each other para hindi tayo nagkakasakitan (We seek to establish parameters on how to communicate with each other, so we do not offend each other),” he said in an interview after the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming here.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mag-Caucus ang Senado para Itakda ang Ground Rules sa Posibleng Pakikipag-usap sa Chinese Embassy hinggil sa WPS

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Lacson Eyes Senators’ Dialogue with Chinese Embassy on WPS Row

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

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Lacson: Eradicating Corruption Key to Upgrading Defense Capability, Especially in WPS

Eradicating corruption is crucial for the Philippines to rise as an economic power like Japan, and to strengthen its military and defense capabilities including in the West Philippine Sea, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson cited Japan’s recent move to seize a Chinese fishing vessel and arrest its skipper off southern Japan – months after Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae hinted Japan may intervene militarily should China try to forcibly take Taiwan.

“Wow Japan! If only the Philippines can eradicate corruption, so we may become an economic power, then we can upgrade our military capability – ergo, we are no longer a pushover country,” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagpuksa sa Katiwalian, Susi sa Pagpapalakas ng Defense Capability, Lalo na sa WPS

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Lacson: ‘Debate’ on Kalayaan Islands May Affect Pag-Asa Island Residents

The debate proposed by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on whether the Kalayaan Island Group belongs to the Philippines may not only be agonizing and pointless, but could also potentially affect the basic right of abode of the Filipinos already living there, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson thus appealed to retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and University of the Philippines professor Atty. Jay Batongbacal to spare Filipinos from such a debate.

“An earnest appeal to Justice Tony Carpio and Atty Jay Batongbacal:
Let’s spare our countrymen, especially our ‘kababayans’ from Barangay Pag-asa, KIG, Palawan from the agony of another pointless debate that might put into question their basic right of abode,” he said on his X account.

In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Debate’ sa Kalayaan Islands, Maaaring Makaapekto sa mga Residente ng Pag-asa Island

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Lacson Calls Out Personal Attacks vs Pro-Philippine Officials on WPS Issue

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

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