Tag: West Philippine Sea

Privilege Speeches, Videos

Privilege Speech on the Claims of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta

Mr. President, distinguished Majority Leader, thank you for allowing me to have the floor on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

Much as I would like to abide by what my elders had taught me that “silence is the best response to nonsense,” I am constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications spewed on this very floor by one of our colleagues, namely Senator Rodante Marcoleta. While in his two recent privilege speeches, he mostly referred to this representation as the “BRC Chairman,” in my manifestation today, I will refer to him by his name.

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Statements

Lacson Quotes Chinese Writing in Dismissing Marcoleta Accusations

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday quoted a Chinese writing in dismissing the allegations made by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta in his privilege speech Tuesday.

Lacson said he chose not to respond to Marcoleta’s repeated accusations over a supposed spliced video, which he already denied.

“Yesterday, I was tempted but chose not to respond. I would have used a language that my colleague may better understand: ‘Xiao chong bu ke yu bing’. It means, ‘You cannot explain ice to a summer insect,’” he said in a post on his X account.

In Filipino: Lacson, Gumamit ng Kasabihang Tsino sa Pagbalewala sa mga Akusasyon ni Marcoleta

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Statements

Lacson Debunks Marcoleta’s Claims on Tomas Cloma with Facts

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson let the facts do the talking as he debunked on Tuesday the claims of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta claiming Tomas Cloma did not discover the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.

During a hearing of the Committee on National Defense earlier Tuesday, Marcoleta had insisted that Cloma did not discover the Kalayaan Islands.

Lacson cited information from the official website of Kalayaan municipality in Palawan showing Cloma indeed discovered the then previously uninhabited islands now known as the Kalayaan Islands.

“Merong hindi pa rin maka move on kay Tomas Cloma. So, eto ang historical facts para matahimik sa rin sa himlayan niya si Tomas Cloma (Some people still cannot move on from Tomas Cloma. Here are the historical facts, so Cloma can be left alone to rest in peace),” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Sinopla ang mga Pahayag ni Marcoleta hinggil kay Tomas Cloma sa Pamamagitan ng mga Katotohanan

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Radio, Statements, Videos

Lacson: We Are Not Surrendering Anything in Talks with Chinese Embassy on WPS

We are not surrendering anything — much less bowing to anyone — in any potential talks with the Chinese Embassy, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Sunday.

Lacson emphasized that the prospective talks – which he suggested after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan expressed willingness to talk with Philippine leaders to ease the word war on the issue – will focus not on contentious issues such as ownership of the disputed areas, but on establishing clear lines of communication between the two sides.

Also, Lacson lauded Sen. Erwin Tulfo for his own initiative to meet with embassy officials as the new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saying it is “a move in the right direction” and “commendable.” He said Sen. Tulfo may report to the all-senators’ caucus the result of his 11 a.m. meeting, as the caucus is scheduled at 1:30 p.m.

“Wala tayong sinusuko at di tayo yumuyuko. Gusto lang natin maiwasan ang maaanghang na palitan ng salita through social media. Mas maganda ang direktang pag-uusap (We are not surrendering anything and we are not bowing to anyone. We simply want to prevent misunderstanding and fiery exchanges on social media, by talking to each other directly),” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Wala Tayong Isinusuko sa Pakikipagusap sa Chinese Embassy Tungkol sa WPS

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Statements

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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