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Pangilinan: Is Roque drawing salary from China?

Philippines | National

Pangilinan: Is Roque drawing salary from China?

By Mario Casayuran

Opposition Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan on Wednesday asked whether Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is drawing salary from China.

Pangilinan said the reason he asked this was because Roque sides with China, particularly on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

The opposition lawmaker cited a Roque statement that Julian Felipe Reef is not part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines and that critics made an issue on the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels in the reef.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said DFA has ‘’exclusive remit’’ on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue and that only the DFA could speak for President Duterte on foreign affairs matters.

This squabble in the Duterte Cabinet means there is no one is in charge, Pangilinan said.

He said this is not new because it has become normal in the Cabinet where the spokesman contradicts statements from the DFA and the Department of National Defense (DND).

Because of this, Pangilinan said it is China that is enjoying munching popcorn while it views muddled scenarios in the Duterte government.

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