Sotto won’t join colleagues in condemning China
The wording of Resolution 708 raises suspicion it was made by the US Embassy
SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said he would not go along with his colleagues in the chamber who signed a resolution authored by anti-China and rabid pro-American Sen. Franklin Drilon “condemning” China’s alleged “incursion” in areas in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea that are also being claimed by the Philippines.
Aside from Drilon, signing Resolution 708– whose wording raises suspicion it was made by the US Embassy– are senators, Ralph Recto, Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Joel Villanueva.
On close reading, the resolution contains phrases such as “rules-based international order” which was exactly the same words used by the US delegation in pontificating against China during their strategic meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, last March 18, 2021 and for which the US side deservedly got a tongue-lashing from the Chinese side.
Sotto said while the chamber would most likely discuss the resolution when they resume session on May 17, 2021, he would make “amendments” to the proposal.
“With amendments,” Sotto said. “Yung iba sa amin with amendments like for example kung tayo’y pumapalag at sinasabi natin na gusto natin – ang resolution natin ay sinusuportahan natin ang posisyon ng Department of Foreign Affairs at tsaka ng Department of National Defense. Ayan, okay yan,” Sotto said, describing China as a “trading partner” and a “friend.”
“Trading partner natin yan eh. Kung pwedeng wag muna ganoon kadiin dahil pwede naman – pwede namang ano eh, yung posisyon ng DFA, posisyon ng DND, suportahan natin. Ingat lang sa pag gamit ng mga salita, he stressed.
Sotto said he also agreed with Pres. Duterte’s position that China is a “friend” and that there is no need to quarrel with China.
Sotto also likened the situation at the SCS/WPS to a neighborhood where one suddenly finds a neighbor doing laundry in one’s backyard.
“Nakita mo biglang naglalaba sa loob ng bakuran mo, puwede mo namang sabihin nang, Hoy, nababasa yung ano, driveway namin huwag ka diyan maglaba. Pwede naman ganun eh.
Hindi naman yung mumurahin mo agad ng p-u-t-a mo o animal ka, ganun lang ‘yun.”
Sotto also said he would be engaging in ‘golf diplomacy’ with Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian this coming week as he expressed belief the SCS/WPS issue can be settled diplomatically.
“I might play golf with the ambassador this week,” Sotto bared.
Pinoys to know its real friend, reliable partner
For his part, Amb. Huang said it is normal for neighbors to have differences and that Filipinos would, in the end, realize who their real friends and reliable partners are.
Huang made the remarks after it was revealed that 8-time world boxing division champion, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, wrote him a letter last April 10, 2021, calling on China to remove its vessels at Whitsun/Julian Felipe Reef.
Pacquiao revealed his letter to the Chinese Embassy after being criticized for not joining his pro-American colleagues in signing Resolution 708.
In his letter dated April 10, 2021, addressed to Huang, Pacquiao expressed his deep concern over “recent reports that at least 220 Chinese vessels remain in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef.”
“In line with this, we reiterate our call to your government to promptly withdraw these vessels from our territory. We demand nothing less than for your country to respect our sovereignty,” Pacquiao said, as he also encouraged China to be a “unifying figure of regional solidarity.”
“Our governments must instead work together towards creating lasting peace and cooperation in the whole Asia-Pacific region, especially during these trying times brought about by the pandemic,” Pacquiao added.
Using a social media forum last April 30, 2021, Huang, for his part, urged Filipinos to know their “real friends” and “reliable partners.”
Huang said China and the Philippines are neighbors “that cannot be moved away” and pointed out that it is normal for “neighbors to have differences.”
“China always values promise and integrity. We Chinese people always mean what we say. And we also firmly believe that a friend in need is a friend indeed, and time will tell,” he said.
And while directly not naming the United States, Huang also accused the Americans and the West of trying to take advantage of the “differences” between China and the Philippines.
“Certain countries, while looking on Philippines’ anxiety of vaccine need with indifference, tried to sow discord by taking advantage of the differences between China and the Philippines. We should stay alert,” Huang said.
