TWO senators criticized the foreign policy of President Bongbong Marcos’ administration.
In a media interview on Monday, Senator Robin Padilla called Marcos’ actions toward the Philippines’ foreign relations as “drastic”.
Senator Padilla specifically pointed out the escalating tensions in the South China Sea due to the government’s alignment with the United States against China.
‘’There probably isn’t a stronger statement from the US because it means we’re in a waiting game. When something happens, if a Filipino serviceman gets into trouble, it means the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) is enacted? So, that’s significant. The defense treaty is significant. It means war,’’ Sen. Robin Padilla said.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader and former chairperson of the committee on foreign relations, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr., believes that the Philippines should contribute to easing tensions in the world.
He noted the impact of wars between Ukraine and Russia, and Iran and Israel, on the prices of goods. He emphasized that the Philippine economy would be further affected if tensions with China goes even further.
‘’Even if the trouble isn’t in our region, we are affected by the prices of goods. The costs of shipping from the Middle East have increased. Even just the insurance costs have risen. So our economy is affected too,’’ Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Former chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations said.
Even the Trilateral Summit between the US, Japan, and the Philippines, held recently, was criticized by the senator.
Senator Koko questioned why President Joe Biden is pushing for millions of dollars worth of military support for EDCA sites in the Philippines.
The senator pointed out that while the meeting of the three countries was historic, the military support for our country was not necessarily positive.
He suggested that it would be better if the focus of the summit among the three leaders was on improving the economy.
‘’We won’t gain much from those military agreements.’’
‘’That’s why my prayer is that the trilateral [summit] is more focused on the economic side. Let’s trade, let America and Japan help us. They are richer countries than us. Let them buy Filipino products; we’re not asking for charity,’’he added.