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Zubiri: PBBM can play a bigger geopolitical role in the Southeast Asian region

Philippines | National

Zubiri: PBBM can play a bigger geopolitical role in the Southeast Asian region

By Mario Casayuran

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri thinks President Marcos could play a bigger geopolitical role in the Southeast Asian region, particularly in helping ease tension between China and Taiwan.

Zubiri said the Philippines could take the lead in forming an aligned position that there should be no outbreak of hostilities within the region.

“I think he (Marcos) can do it. With the mandate that is given to him by 31 million Filipinos, I think we can take that lead,” Zubiri added.

The Senate chief expressed his opinion on the President in today’s public hearing by the committee on foreign affairs of the Commission on Appointments (CA) which heard the testimonies of two ambassadors and Foreign Affairs Secretary Luis Enrique Manalo.

Confirmed in today’s CA plenary session presided by Zubiri were former ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Manuel Lagdameo as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Manalo’s public hearing was suspended and would be scheduled at a later date.

Romualdez, a cousin of the President, said he agrees with the Senate President that Marcos could play a major role in the region.

In fact, Romualdez added, he encouraged the President to visit all Southeast Asian countries at the soonest possible time.

He identified these countries as Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos

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