Tag: United States

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On the Reported US Visa Ban on Philippine Officials in ‘Unjust Detention’ of Sen. de Lima

us-visa

Allowing and denying the entry of foreigners into the territory of the United States, or any country for that matter, is a matter of right of that host country. They don’t even have to justify it.

What is unacceptable is the passage of a resolution by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that calls for the dismissal of charges against any respondent in a criminal case, in this case, Sen. de Lima and Maria Ressa. It is an affront to the integrity of our courts and the country’s judicial system. Even the President or any executive official, or any member of our Congress, cannot issue a formal resolution that will encroach on the power of a co-equal branch of government.

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On the President’s Stance on the West Philippine Sea Issue

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Image: Google Maps

It is a good development that the President has subsequently corrected himself by saying that he cannot prevent incursions of foreign fishing vessels within the Exclusive Economic Zone because even if he wants to, we don’t have the capability nor the capacity to do it, not to mention that the arbitral ruling is unenforceable in the first place; and that the Philippines merely exercises sovereign right, not sovereignty over the areas within the EEZ. I agree with the President in this regard. Having said that, to allow is not the same as not being able to prevent.

Further, calling on the United States – with whom we have a Mutual Defense Treaty – and other western allies to help check China in the WPS is proper given the prevailing circumstances, contrary to some narrow-minded critics that such move is a sure formula for war.

On the other hand, maintaining the balance of power in the WPS will prevent rather that ignite war. Why? No two superpowers would go to war in this day and age of nuclear technology for the simple reason of its ‘zero-sum’ outcome.

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#PingSays: On China’s Maritime Hit-and-Run: ‘We were tested…’ | June 18, 2019

Could the sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea last June 9 have been a ‘test’? Did the Philippines pass or fail?

Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “#PingSays: On China’s Maritime Hit-and-Run: ‘We were tested…’ | June 18, 2019”

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Sotto, Lacson, Honasan Rumesbak vs Pakialamerong US Solons

Image courtesy: Geopolitica.ru

Isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, kasama si Senate President Vicente Sotto III at Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, ang resolusyong naglalayong sermunan ang mga mambabatas ng Estados Unidos na nakikialam sa sistema ng hudikatura ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng dalawang resolusyon.

Sa Senate Resolution 1037 na magkasamang iniakda at isinumite ng tatlong mambabatas, malinaw na isinaad ng mga ito na hindi puwedeng makialam ang mga dayuhan sa panloob ng usapin ng Pilipinas.

Nilinaw din ni Lacson na walang ibang hangarin ang kanilang pagsasampa sa Senate Resolution 1037, at kung may mga personalidad umanong nasali sa aksyon nilang ito laban sa pakikialam ng mga banyagang mambabatas, ito ay nagkataon lamang.

“Sen. (Leila) de Lima and Ms. (Maria) Ressa are but incidental to the intent of this resolution. They are entitled to fair justice and judgment by the courts handling their cases. But what we need to point out is that supremacism has no place in a civilized world regardless of race, color and status in wealth and power,” paliwanag ni Lacson.

Related: SP Sotto, 2 Colleagues File Resolution Rebuking US Solons for Interfering in PH Judicial Process
Continue reading “Sotto, Lacson, Honasan Rumesbak vs Pakialamerong US Solons”

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SP Sotto, 2 Colleagues File Resolution Rebuking US Solons for Interfering in PH Judicial Process

Image courtesy: Geopolitica.ru

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and two colleagues filed late Wednesday a resolution rebuking some members of the United States Congress for interfering with the Philippine judicial process via two proposed resolutions.

Introducing Philippine Senate Resolution 1037 along with Sotto were Senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Gregorio B. Honasan II.

Lacson emphasized Sen. Leila de Lima and Maria Ressa, whose release the proposed US resolutions sought, are “incidental” to the intent of the Philippine Senate resolution.

“Sen. de Lima and Ms. Ressa are but incidental to the intent of this resolution. They are entitled to fair justice and judgment by the courts handling their cases. But what we need to point out is that supremacism has no place in a civilized world regardless of race, color and status in wealth and power.” Lacson stressed.

Related: Sotto, Lacson, Honasan Rumesbak vs Pakialamerong US Solons
Continue reading “SP Sotto, 2 Colleagues File Resolution Rebuking US Solons for Interfering in PH Judicial Process”