Senator Robinhood ‘’Robin’’ C. Padilla threw this poser to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials in today’s public hearing by the Senate finance sub-committee D chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on DFA’s proposed 2023 P20.3 billion budget.

The proposed budget is lesser by P1.4 billion compared to the current 2022 budget.

Padilla raised the supposed confusion over the country's Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, saying that most Filipinos think that US troops would come to the Philippines' rescue at once when armed conflicts erupt.

He noted that such action, however, would still require the approval of the US Congress.

Padilla stressed its importance as he mentioned the Philippines' territorial dispute with China and the increasing tension between Taiwan and China.

"We may be wiped out before the US Congress agrees to defend us," Padilla said in Filipino.

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, in response, said the US, as agreed upon under the MDT, has committed and repeatedly assured to defend the country against any attacks.

He added that clarificatory talks have been ongoing since 2020 to thresh out the implementing rules of the MDT.

But Padilla stressed that the DFA needs to refine its publicity efforts regarding the government's efforts on the West Philippine Sea, as well as on the Philippine-US MDT. and VFA.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said it is important that Filipinos be aware of the steps that are being taken to implement our arbitral victory on the WPS in 2016.

He noted the general public needs to be enlightened on the roles of the DFA as well as the details of the issues involving the MDT, VFA and arbitral ruling.

"Patungkol sa WPS hangga’t hindi nakikita ng ating kababayan na nakapangisda ang kababayan natin doon, kahit tayo mag-tumbling, hindi nila maintindihan yan (On the ground, at the grassroots, our people won't understand the role of the DFA, the MDT and the arbitral ruling. On the WPS, the bottom line for them is to be able to freely fish there, no matter how we explain)," he said.

"Kailangan doon, muling makapangisda nang malaya ang ating mangingisda at kababayan natin sa Pagasa Island (The goal is for Filipinos to freely fish at Pagasa Island)," he added.

"Kailangan may tamang pagbibigay ng impormasyon hindi lang sa kalagayan ng arbitral kundi pati rin sana sa MDT at VFA. Kasi kung kayo sa ground sa lugar na marami ang ating kababayan, hindi nila naintindihan yan (We need to ensure the right information reaches our people not just on the arbitral ruling but also on the MDT and VFA). Akala nila parang sa pelikula pag nagkagulo andiyan na Amerikano. Many of our people think that like in the movies, the US will immediately come to our aid)," he added.