The political schism between President Duterte and boxing icon Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao over the handling of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue is widening.
‘’I am a Filipino voicing out what needs to be said in defense of what has been adjudicated as rightfully ours,’’ Pacquiao told Senate reporters in his Twitter account on his ‘’running’’ feud with the President on the WPS issue.
Pacquiiao is one of those identified as probable presidential candidates for the forthcoming 2022 national elections.
Pacquiao’s retort followed the President’s statement belittling his knowledge on foreign policy matters.
"It's about foreign policy. I would not want to degrade him (Pacquiao) but next time he should ... mag-aral ka muna ng husto (study well first)," Duterte said. "Apparently this guy has a very shallow knowledge of...", the President said in a TV forum.
In his riposte, Pacquiao said: ‘’I regret that the President was misinformed regarding my statement on the West Philippine Sea Issue.’’
‘’I firmly believe that my statement reflects the sentiment of majority of the Filipinos, that we should stand strong in protecting our sovereign rights while pursuing a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the dispute,’’ he stressed.
‘’I respect the President’s opinion but humbly disagree with his assessment of my understanding of foreign policy,’’ Pacquiao added.
Critics of the Duterte administration had accused the President of siding with China and distancing himself from the US, its long time ally.
At one time, President Duterte likened the Philippines as a probable Chinese province.
Pacquiao said he, like other Filipinos, was heartened to hear a statement of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during a presidential campaign in Dagupan city in 1916 that he would ride a ‘’jetski’’ and plant a Philippine flag in the WPS despite the presence of armed China militia vessels.
China claims historical ownership over most parts of the South China Sea, including the WPS.
In a decision, the United Nations arbitration court dismissed China’s historical claim. Instead of honoring the decision, China, an economic and military force, continues its bullying tactics against the Philippines.
It is at this point that Pacquiao let loose his guns and criticized the President for adopting a ‘’soft’’ stance with regard to China.
A political split in the ruling PDP-Laban party began.
Pacquiao, PDP-Laban acting president, asked his supporters to boycott the PDP-Laban National Assembly meeting in Cebu last month because he was not informed about it.
He said the meeting was illegal in that it should have been called jointly by him as President and by President Duterte as Chairman based on the party bylaws and Constitution.
Through Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, President Duterte directed Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, PDP-Laban vice chairman, to call a party National Assembly.
PDP-Laban Secretary General Negros Oriental Representative Armie Teves tried to move for the adjournment of the PDP-Laban National Assembly meeting, saying it was not coordinated with Pacquiao as party President.
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