PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles (left), Senator Robin Padilla (Facebook)

House Deputy Majority Leader Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Margarita "Migs" Nograles says it's only right for President Marcos to fight for what he loves, which is his country, the Philippines. 

Nograles had this to say in reaction to a statement from Senator Robin Padilla some two weeks ago, wherein he branded Marcos' approach to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue as "too brave". 

"Huhugot tayo dito ngayon. Para lang yan pag-ibig di ba? (We will make 'hugot' here. This is like love, right?) Nograles said during a press conference at the House of Representatives Tuesday, April 30. 

"Kung may mahal kang bagay, mahal natin ang Pilipinas, mahal ng Presidente ang Pilipinas (If you love something, we love the Philippines, the President loves the Philippines), you have to protect what you love, what you own," said the lawyer-solon. 

Earlier this month, Padilla, former action movie star, was quoted as saying, "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 brave 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)." 

He gave these remarks amid President Marcos' participation in a historic trilateral meeting with United States (US) President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, DC. 

China's aggressive behavior in the WPS, particularly within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), was a key topic during the meeting of the three leaders. 

"Kung ang stance po ng honorable senator ay matapang, that's his own opinion. Personally I think tama na ipaglaban dapat ang sa atin, ang mahal nating Pilipinas," Nograles said. 

(If the honorable senator's stance is that the President’s approach is brave, that's his own opinion. Personally I think it's only right to fight for what is ours, our beloved Philippines.) 

"At kung may nambu-bully sayo...kung may mang-aagaw, siyempre--lalo na yung mga babae dito--alam niyo lalabas yung katapangan niyo di ba?" she said, continuing her "hugot". 

(And if someone is bullying you...if someone is trying to steal from you--especially the women here--you know that you're bravery will come out, right?) 

"But you fight for what is yours and that's what the President is doing. Pinapakita niya kung gaano niya kamahal ang Pilipinas (He showed how much he loves the Philippines)," the Davao-based lawmaker added. 

After the trilateral meeting, China accused the Philippines, US, and Japan for moving against it through "bloc politics".