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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte to do what's best for PH on China's incursions, even if action is unpopular --- Roque

Duterte to do what's best for PH on China's incursions, even if action is unpopular --- Roque

Published Apr 27, 2021 05:20 pm

President Duterte will do what is best for the country even if his chosen course of action may be unpopular. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said this on Tuesday, April 27, amid growing criticisms of the government’s seemingly passive stance against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Speaking during his virtual press briefing, Roque maintained that the President has “executive privilege.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after his meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on April 19, 2021 (KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/FILE PHOTO)

“Alam ninyo po, kaya mayroon nga tayong tinatawag na executive privilege – importante po kasi na ang Presidente ay gumawa ng tamang desisyon maski ito po ay hindi popular na desisyon (You know, that’s why we have what’s called executive privilege — it’s important for the President to make the right decision even if it is an unpopular decision),” Roque said from Cebu, where he attended the commemoration of the 500th year since Lapulapu defeated the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Executive privilege refers to the right of the President to maintain confidential communications under certain circumstances.

Roque noted that the President is free to “do what he thinks is best for the country” because he does not need to campaign anymore.

The spokesman also said that the Palace “respects” the views of the 11 senators who filed a resolution denouncing China’s illegal and unwarranted incursions on WPS.

Senate Resolution No. 708 was initiated by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon as principal author, while 10 other senators signed as co-authors of the measure.

The 10 are Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla.

The senators criticized the continuous presence of Chinese vessels in the disputed waters despite repeated diplomatic protests by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Chinese vessels remain at the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), which is merely 170 nautical miles west of Palawan province.

At one point, in March, there were over 200 Chinese vessels there that Beijing said were merely seeking shelter from the weather condition.

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President Duterte Harry Roque West Philippine Sea china
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