Incoming Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (L) and outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte (C) take part in the inauguration ceremony for Marcos in Malacanang in Manila on June 30, 2022. (File photo by Francis R. MALASIG / POOL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla does not favor the holding of a Senate hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “gentleman’s agreement” with China.
He said it would be better to just leave discussions on national security to Duterte and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
READ: Marcos to Duterte: ‘What did you compromise?’
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Padilla said the issue at hand is a very sensitive one. Hence, it should not be discussed publicly.
“Kasi, may kinalaman ito sa national security natin. Pinagmumulan ito ng mga usap-usapan na politically motivated at destroying our minds kasi brainwashing na, naging pulitika na,” said Padilla.
(Because this involves our national security. It’s the source of our talks that is politically motivated and it’s destroying our minds because it’s already brainwashing and it has already become about politics.)
“At ‘yung mga bagay na palagay ko may kinalaman sa national security natin, ‘di na siguro kailangan pang idaan pa sa public hearing. Dapat siguro, pag usapan na lang ng dalawang Pangulo natin yan nang silang dalawa lang,” he added.
(I think things that involve our national security shouldn’t be discussed in a public hearing. Maybe our two Presidents should talk about this between themselves.)
READ: Duterte denies he ‘conceded’ anything in WPS deal with China
In the same press conference, Padilla urged Duterte and Marcos to come up with a statement on the issue and show unity.
“Hindi lahat ng bagay naman kasi kailangan natin ipaalam pa sa taumbayan, lalo na itong national security ito. Siguro mag-usap muna ang dalawang presidente at gumawa sila ng statement nila pareho para unity naman ang makita natin,” he said.
(Not all things should be discussed to the public, especially if it involves the national security. Maybe the two Presidents need to talk and they need to come up with a statement and show unity.)
Duterte earlier admitted having agreed with China to “maintain the status quo” in the West Philippine Sea, but he insisted that the country did not “concede” anything during his tenure.
Padilla, on the other hand, said it is “impossible” that Duterte surrendered Philippine territory through this agreement.
Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier filed a resolution seeking a probe into Duterte’s supposed agreement with China.