By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Despite contending with a tense atmosphere that arose from Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent incendiary remarks, Malacañang stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to exercise restraint on the matter.
Ambassador Quan’s position on the West Philippine Sea drew the ire of lawmakers, who unequivocally called for a persona non grata declaration against him.
However, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned that China may use its position as one of the country’s largest trading partners as leverage in the escalating tit-for-tat exchanges between Manila and Beijing.
When asked in a briefing on Tuesday, PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that President Marcos Jr. continues to place a premium on diplomacy, and will not engage in any retaliatory action against the East Asian nation.
“Ang Pangulo, hindi po niya dinadaan sa parang magkaaway na mga bata. So, ang Pangulo po at ang administrasyon ay nakikipag-negotiate, nakikipag-usap sa liderato ng ibang bansa through a diplomatic manner.”
Usec. Castro also drew a clear line between talks on economic matters and talks on the Philippines’ territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), noting the tangible differences in the government’s messaging on these aspects.
For instance, while Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela and his counterpart in the Armed Forces, RAdm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Ret.) share similar sentiments in defense of national interests over the hotly-contested maritime domain, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro maintains a neutral disposition in holding dialogue with China as one of the nation’s key partners.
The Malacañang official shared in an earlier briefing, “Huwag tayong maligaw, dahil hindi din nais ng Pangulo itong nangyayaring palitan ng mga maaanghang na salita. Nais ng Pangulo, again, magandang relasyon.”
Meanwhile, when pressed about the government’s stance on local government units (LGUs) receiving foreign grants from China, Usec. Castro noted that as long as these injected funds comply with guidelines, and abide by legal, administrative, and fiscal procedures, there is no need to worry about these transactions.
She concluded with a focus on transparency and accountability, “Kung nakatanggap man sila ng cash, dapat mai-report ito at kung may naging resulta na doon sa ibinigay na cash kasi para hindi sila mapagbintangan na nakikipagsabwatan o kaya nagtatraydor na sa ating bansa.” (with report from Kenneth Paciente | PTV News)
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