Tag: DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr

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Lacson: Commander-in-Chief Cannot ‘Surrender’ on WPS Issue

Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef. Image Courtesy: AP

The Philippines’ Commander-in-Chief cannot afford to send the wrong message – especially implied surrender or resignation – on our territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this after President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night that the Philippines may risk bloodshed and a no-win situation if it asserts its jurisdiction.

“He’s the leader of our country and he’s the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. He can think of anything and speak about anything except surrender. Remember, we have an arbitral ruling in our favor and it’s permanent although it’s unenforceable. There are so many things to think about except surrender. We cannot wave the white flag, so to speak,” Lacson said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

“I am not saying the President is actually raising the white flag but that’s the implication. If the officers and men of the AFP would take it that way, it could be disastrous to Philippine sovereignty,” he added.

Related: Ping, May Payo sa Commander-in-Chief sa Sigalot sa WPS
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Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea

Mas magkakaroon ng balance of power sa South China Sea ngayong higit na pinahalagahan ng bagong administrasyon ng Estados Unidos ang US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty.

Ito ang nakikita ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, bunga na rin ng komunikasyon sa pagitan ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. at US State Secretary Antony Blinken.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” banggit ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account matapos ang pagpupulong nina Locsin at Blinken.

Related: Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea
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Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea

With the importance placed on it by the Biden administration, the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty will help maintain the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific – including in the South China Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson, who heads the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and Security, said this after State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” he said on his Twitter account.

Related: Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea
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Lacson’s Christmas Wish: Early Procurement of COVID Vaccines, No More Incompetence

The early procurement of COVID vaccines amid renewed government efforts to procure them from the United States is Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson’s wish for this Christmas.

Lacson also said there should be no room for incompetence and ineptitude, especially on the part of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, after the events earlier this week.

“My Christmas wish is simple. I hope we Filipinos survive this pandemic, and we get the needed vaccines soonest,” Lacson said in an interview on DWIZ radio.

But he added the Cabinet, including vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., should help Duque not by defending him in media but by getting his job done.

Continue reading “Lacson’s Christmas Wish: Early Procurement of COVID Vaccines, No More Incompetence”

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#PINGterview: ‘Lost Opportunity’ sa COVID Vaccine

In an interview on DZXL, Sen. Lacson detailed how DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III cost the government an opportunity to acquire 10 million doses of COVID vaccines from Pfizer by January 2021.

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