Drilon calls for public disclosure of Duterte-Xi meeting
Published Jul 21, 2023 02:36 am
Former senator Franklin Drilon on Friday, July 21 called on former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte to fully disclose to the public the issues he had discussed with China’s President Xi Jinping during his recent meeting with the latter.
Photo courtesy of Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying
Drilon noted that the meeting between the former Philippine leader with Xi coincided with Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri’s announcement on the upcoming release of a “strongly-worded” Senate resolution urging the government to bring China's harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Duterte's visit also coincided at a time when Filipinos’ trust in China has been declining, the former lawmaker noted. “I think it is important that former President Duterte make public the discussion and the issues that they discussed during the meeting," Drilon said in a radio interview. “Out of respect and courtesy to the sitting president, I call on former President Duterte to either disclose or, at the very least, provide a briefing to President Marcos or Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo,” he stressed. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whose administration has started building stronger military ties with the United States, had earlier said he knew about Duterte’s meeting with the Chinese president. Marcos expressed hope that they tackled the “shadowing” incidents in the West Philippine Sea, wherein Chinese ships are closely following and harassing Philippine vessels in areas that are being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. Drilon explained that under the country’s system of government, the formulation of foreign policy lies within the purview of the President, who acts as the chief architect. Therefore, he said, it is of utmost importance to ensure that Duterte’s successor is well-informed of this significant encounter with one of the world’s most powerful leaders.
Photo courtesy of Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying
Drilon noted that the meeting between the former Philippine leader with Xi coincided with Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri’s announcement on the upcoming release of a “strongly-worded” Senate resolution urging the government to bring China's harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Duterte's visit also coincided at a time when Filipinos’ trust in China has been declining, the former lawmaker noted. “I think it is important that former President Duterte make public the discussion and the issues that they discussed during the meeting," Drilon said in a radio interview. “Out of respect and courtesy to the sitting president, I call on former President Duterte to either disclose or, at the very least, provide a briefing to President Marcos or Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo,” he stressed. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whose administration has started building stronger military ties with the United States, had earlier said he knew about Duterte’s meeting with the Chinese president. Marcos expressed hope that they tackled the “shadowing” incidents in the West Philippine Sea, wherein Chinese ships are closely following and harassing Philippine vessels in areas that are being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. Drilon explained that under the country’s system of government, the formulation of foreign policy lies within the purview of the President, who acts as the chief architect. Therefore, he said, it is of utmost importance to ensure that Duterte’s successor is well-informed of this significant encounter with one of the world’s most powerful leaders.
Not a simple private visit
Considering his stature and influence, Drilon said Duterte’s views and actions continue to carry weight and may be interpreted in various ways, particularly by President Xi. “Kapag kausap mo na ang lider ng ibang ibang government, dapat iisa lang ang ating position. Baka kung hindi, hihina ang position ng ating pamahalaan (When you talk to the leader of other governments, our position should be the same. Because if not, the position of our government will weaken),” he said. Thus, Drilon said, he believes Duterte’s meeting with Xi “is no simple private visit.” “The former president is not an ordinary Filipino. His views will always be taken seriously by Xi Jinping. Ito po ay dapat malaman ng DFA (This should be known by the Department of Foreign Affairs),” he emphasized, moreso, if the talks revolved around the country’s claims on the West Philippine Sea. “I think it is important that former President Duterte make public the discussion and the issues that they discussed during the meeting,” Drilon said. “Out of respect and courtesy to the sitting president, I call on former President Duterte to either disclose or, at the very least, provide a briefing to President Marcos or Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo,” he stressed. “The issues that were potentially raised during the meeting involved our national sovereignty. Therefore, the DFA should be briefed on the details of the meeting, as it is not a matter of private concern but one that affects the entire nation,” Drilon said. Drilon also said it is primarily important for the Philippine government to maintain a unified stance on matters of national interest, especially on the WPS issue, to avoid weakening the country’s position. He also expressed hope this latest development would not influence President Marcos’ stance on the WPS issue.