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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Masyado akong natatapangan': Padilla maintains support for PBBM despite bold stance on WPS

'Masyado akong natatapangan': Padilla maintains support for PBBM despite bold stance on WPS

Published Apr 15, 2024 12:02 pm

At A Glance

  • Despite them not seeing eye-to-eye on the issue, Senator Robin Padilla said on Monday, April 15, that he will remain supportive of President Marcos' decisions moving forward when it comes to the country's relation with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Despite them not seeing eye-to-eye on the issue, Senator Robin Padilla said on Monday, April 15, that he will remain supportive of President Marcos' decisions moving forward when it comes to the country's relation with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Asked to describe the President's foreign policy, Padilla said: "Sa akin masyado akong natatapangan sa Presidente natin, sa mga desisyon niya pero siyempre desisyon niya yan eh. Kung sa tingin niya yun ang maganda para sa ba bansa, eh bakit ko naman ito kokontrahin (For me, I think the President is being too bold with his decisions, but those are his decision. If he thinks that is what's better for the country, then why would I oppose it)?"

Padilla added that it is not the time to disagree with the President or to be divided as a country.

President Marcos recently announced that the Philippines will implement a reasonable "response and countermeasure package" over the dangerous attacks made by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia in the WPS.

This, after the firing of a water cannon by the CCG to a Philippine vessel that was conducting a resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippines also participated recently in a joint patrol operation with Australia, Japan, and the United States (US) in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

A few days ago, a historic trilateral agreement was forged between the US, the Philippines, and Japan, with the three countries' leaders vowing to work together to build a better future for the Indo-Pacific Region.

"Ito ang oras na magpaliwanag ang Malacañang sa kanyang mga ginagawa para mas maintindihan ng taumbayan kung ano 'tong mga drastic decisions na ginagawa nila. Kailangan alam ng taumbayan kung ano pwede nating harapin dito (This is the time for Malacañang to explain the implications of their 'drastic' decisions to citizens. The people must know what we're expected to face)," he said.

"Di ito pupwede na yung mga ganitong action eh wala tayong ipinaliliwanag sa ating mga kababayan kung ano yung pwede mangyari at ano kung ano yung mga pwedeng ipaghanda natin. Kasi kumbaga ang alert level natin pataas ng pataas, dapat yung ang ating kababayan well informed sa lahat ng ginagawa natin (The public should not be left out on information on what may happen, and what we can prepare for in relation to these actions. In a way, our alert level continues to increase so the citizens should be well-informed in everything that the government is doing)," he added.

President Marcos is optimistic that his trilateral meeting with US President Joseph Biden and Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will result in sustained peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Related Tags

West Philippine Sea (WPS) china coast guard Senator Robin Padilla President Marcos
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