By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Monday threw its support behind Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s call for public officials to uphold the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying every Filipino’s loyalty should belong solely to the country, regardless of political affiliation or differences on other issues.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration sees nothing wrong with Teodoro’s statement that government officials should consider resigning if they cannot uphold Philippine laws and national policy, which include a firm stance on the country’s rights in the WPS.
Usec. Castro said in a Palace briefing, “Ang pinag-uusapan po natin dito ay mga Pilipino. Pilipino na ang dapat ang puso ay para sa Pilipinas lamang.
Hindi pinag-uusapan dito ang loyalty. Lahat tayong mga Pilipino dapat ang puso, ang paninindigan, ang ipaglalaban ay ang bansang Pilipinas lamang.”
Palace criticizes those who question PH stance on sovereignty
The Palace official made the remark after Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte criticized Teodoro for allegedly imposing a “loyalty test” and demonizing China following the defense chief’s call for officials to uphold the country’s WPS position.
Usec. Castro said it would be “very alarming” if an elected official, like Duterte, questions the expectation that Filipinos should stand firmly behind the country’s sovereign rights, “Lubhang kataka-taka, very alarming, para sa isang katulad niya na mambabatas na lubhang parang nagpapakita na ang kaniyang loyalty ay hindi solido sa Pilipinas.”
She also stressed that maintaining cordial ties with China in trade, investments, and business should not be confused with defending the country’s sovereign rights.
Usec. Castro, moreover, noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized that political differences should never get in the way of protecting the country’s interests in the WPS.
She also urged officials echoing China’s position on the WPS to be transparent about their views, “Mas maganda po siguro talaga na… lumantad na sila para makita natin kung sino ba talaga ang nagmamahal sa bansang Pilipinas.”
Teodoro earlier said public officials are duty-bound to uphold Philippine laws, including Administrative Order No. 29, which officially designates the West Philippine Sea, and argued that those unwilling to support the country’s legal position should either challenge the policy before the courts or resign.
The Palace’s remarks also came days after the Philippines formally submitted information to the United Nations on the outer limits of its extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, including waters surrounding Bajo de Masinloc, as part of its continuing effort to assert its maritime entitlements under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award. (PNA)
