Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said on Monday, April 1, former president Rodrigo Duterte had always been predisposed to bow to China’s whims during his term

Thus, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s disclosure of a “gentleman’s agreement” with Chinese president Xi Jinping regarding the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal “are not all that surprising.”

“Harry Roque’s revelations are not all that surprising. Duterte always kowtowed to Beijing, putting his relationship with China first before our national interest,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“That much was clear during his presidency,” the opposition senator also stressed.

Hontiveros also recalled that the former president never recognized Philippines’ victory at the Hague when the Permanent Court of Arbitration recognized the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“Duterte also never accorded our 2016 Arbitral Award its much-deserved respect and reverence,” Hontiveros said.

“Kaya hindi kataka-taka na kung ano-anong ‘gentleman’s agreement’ ang pinasok niya (That’s why it’s not at all surprising that he entered all sorts of gentleman’s agreement),” she said.

But what is important, the senator said, is that the present Marcos administration, has rescinded any concession that was made to China.

“The BRP Sierra Madre should remain on Ayungin. Our troops have been risking their lives to guard that ship,” she said.

“Huwag nating balewalain ang hirap at sakripisyo nila (Let’s not ignore the hardship and sacrifices they made),” she stressed.