Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has sharpened his public criticism of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, accusing the lawmaker of a pattern of behavior that appears to benefit China rather than the Philippines.
Speaking on DZRH Radio on Thursday, Lacson pointed to several recent incidents he said reflect a troubling consistency in Marcoleta’s actions — from questioning the value of a Philippine bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat, to repeatedly challenging the country’s official map of the West Philippine Sea.
“Who are you trying to protect? What does China have that you are acting so consistently in this way?” Lacson said, directing the question at Marcoleta.
On the UN Security Council question, Lacson argued that even a non-permanent seat would deliver meaningful diplomatic advantages for the country. “Definitely less than China’s gains in having a permanent seat but a non-permanent seat will give the Philippines greater diplomatic influence and opportunity to advance national and regional interests, ability to sponsor resolutions, not to mention international prestige,” he wrote on X earlier this week.
He added: “You will have a degree of diplomatic influence. That is important to us.”
Lacson also pointed to what he described as Marcoleta’s persistent effort to undermine the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority’s map of the West Philippine Sea — a position the senator said runs counter to two laws signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2024, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, both of which affirm Philippine sovereignty over its maritime zones.
During a Commission on Appointments defense committee hearing Wednesday, Marcoleta reportedly pressed an Army officer on the West Philippine Sea issue — prompting Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to step in and note that such matters fall more properly under the Navy and Coast Guard.
Lacson questioned the motive behind targeting military officers awaiting confirmation. “He tries to find a military general who agrees with his views. What can a military officer seeking confirmation before the CA do under scrutiny when he can invoke Section 20 to block his confirmation? So who is his audience, China?” he said.
The criticism extended beyond the hearing room. Lacson said Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo had reported to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that Marcoleta had been pushing to convene a hearing where he could challenge the Philippines’ official maritime map.
In a privilege speech Tuesday, Lacson noted that several of Marcoleta’s assertions on the West Philippine Sea closely resembled positions published on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — including challenges to Tomas Cloma’s discovery and occupation of the Spratly Islands.
“We should love the Philippines more than any country. Regardless of what is at stake, we are Filipinos. We must look after the Philippines’ interests, not those of other countries,” Lacson said.
