RPPe House leaders slam VP Sara’s ‘deafening silence’ on China: ‘Dapat pro-Pinas tayo’

HOUSE leaders on Monday sounded the alarm over Vice President Sara Duterte’s “deafening silence” on Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the involvement of some Chinese nationals in transnational crimes in the Philippines.

Assistant Majority Leaders Paolo Ortega V (La Union, 1st District), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District), and Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Partylist) underscored the importance of standing with the Philippines in the face of aggression and transnational crimes linked to Chinese nationals.

“Parang nakabibingi ‘yung katahimikan,” Ortega said, referring to the Vice President’s apparent avoidance of issues concerning the country’s sovereignty and national security.

“Lahat naman tayo dito mahal natin ang Pilipinas. Dapat Filipino ang

kampihan, dapat pro-‘Pinas tayo,” Ortega stressed.

The Vice President has remained silent on the ongoing Chinese aggression in the WPS, including the recent incident where China's air force deployed flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force plane patrolling over Bajo de Masinloc, which drew strong condemnation from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

She has also remained silent on the reported link between drug trafficking and other heinous crimes associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that proliferated during her father’s term, as well as the extrajudicial killings tied to the previous administration's bloody anti-drug campaign—issues that led the 300-plus-member House of Representatives to establish a quad committee for investigation.

Adiong, who also chairs the House Adhoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation, described the Vice President’s silence on these critical issues as both disappointing and unbecoming of a leader of her stature.

“Personally, I'm trying to question, why apart from all of these things happening, nagkaroon nga po recently ‘yung flare ng Chinese government in the [WPS], she remains to be silent about it,” Adiong said.

He continued, “She is the second highest public official of the land, next to the President, and her position on these is very important. Whether her silence will be treated as apathy, that would definitely spell out and define the kind of leader that she is.”

Bongalon also weighed in, stressing that Vice President Duterte’s continued silence on the WPS issue raises questions among the public. 

“Kung ang pinag-uusapan natin ay tungkol na sa soberanya ng ating bansa, expect mo dapat na maglabas man lang siya ng kanyang pahayag, suporta laban po sa China,” Bongalon pointed out. “Pero for the longest time na naging Bise Presidente siya—July 1, 2022 hanggang ngayon, may narinig na po ba kayo na pahayag niya laban sa China? Ang sagot po: wala!” 

Bongalon said that despite differences in policies or programs, the government must present a united front when it comes to territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

He noted that the Vice President’s lack of a statement on these issues stands in stark contrast to the strong condemnation from other leaders, leaving Filipinos to question where her loyalties lie.

“So ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito? Magtatanong po talaga ang taongbayan, hindi ba mag-iisip sila

bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa rin pong pahayag si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte patungkol sa mga isyu dyan po sa [WPS]? Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nyan? Hindi naman po bobo ang mga Filipino. Alam nila ang ibig sabihin niyan,” Bongalon said.

He added: “That is why we are calling for our public officials, our co-workers in the government na kung magkakasalungat po tayo sa mga polisiya, sa mga program, pero kung usapin na po sa ating teritoryo at sa ating bansa, dapat united ang ating statement. Sa ngayon, ang ating Bise Presidente po lamang ang wala pong salita o pahayag patungkol sa isyu ng [WPS].”

Adiong emphasized the need for all public officials, especially those in high positions, to demonstrate patriotism by standing against China’s encroachments.

“Now is the time for all Filipinos to call for patriotism and voice our sentiments in joining this administration’s fight against Chinese aggression, both outside and within our country,” Adiong said. (END)