Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday said the Philippine government should join other “peace-loving” countries in condemning Russia over the escalating tension in Ukraine’s borders.

Lacson warned the prices of oil in the country could surge should all nations belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) simultaneously impose economic sanctions on Russia due to the crisis.

“Huwag natin sabihing hindi tayo apektado. ‘Pag ang buong NATO countries, ano, ‘yung members—European Union, US, Australia—nagsabay-sabay magbigay ng economic sanctions sa Russia dahil sa invasion, tatamaan tayo niyan indirectly (Let’s not think that we are not going to be affected. Because if all NATO countries, the members—European Union, US, Australia—simultaneously give economic sanctions against Russia because of invasion, we will be hit indirectly),” Lacson said during a press conference in Batangas where he and running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III campaigned.

“‘Yung ekonomiya natin maski papaano may tama. Magkano na ang langis ngayon? 100—almost $100 per barrel na, ‘di ba? Kaya tayo lahat may tama e (Our economy will also be affected. How much is oil now? It’s almost $100 per barrel, right? We will all be affected),” Lacson warned.

Another thing the government has to consider is the economic implications for Manila’s own maritime dispute with China.

“Ang delikado pa sa atin, kasi kung ma-establish ‘yung precedent, na ‘yung Russia pwede pala mag-invade ng sinasabi nilang teritoryo nila, baka mangyari din sa atin, (What is dangerous for us, is the possibility it can set as a precedent, that if Russia can invade what they claim to be their own territory will also happen to us),” he pointed out.

Lacson noted China has been pointing out that the islands in the West Philippine Sea are theirs.

“Huwag naman sana. ‘Yon ang mga implikasyon na hindi natin mahulaan e (I hope it doesn’t happen. But that’s the implication that we can’t even predict),” he explained.

That is why, the Partida Reporma standard bearer said it is imperative that the Philippines join the community of nations that firmly rejects Russia’s stance on Ukraine.

“Call out. Call out, kasama tayo among the community of nations para makisama doon sa mga peace-loving countries para i-call out ‘yung Russia (Let’s call out. We are part of the community of nations and we can join peace-loving countries to call out Russia),” he said.

“Sabagay maliit na boses lang tayo ...pero maski papaano may boses tayo (Of course, we are only a small voice...but nonetheless, we can make our voices be heard),” Lacson stressed.