01:07.2
And Israel's Prime Minister vows to fight any possible sanctions against the country's military over alleged rights and violations.
01:21.7
The Philippines takes delivery of a long-range missile system, which security officials...
01:29.1
...calls a game-changer in boosting the country's coastal defense.
01:35.2
Michael Belizo reports.
01:38.4
A significant game-changer, that's how the Philippine security officials are describing the delivery of the Brahmos missile system,
01:45.2
considered to be the fastest cruise missile in the world.
01:48.3
National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya says it will buttress the country's coastal defense and improve maritime domain awareness.
01:56.4
The missile system is part of the...
01:59.1
...$75 million deal signed by the Philippines and India in 2022.
02:04.3
Complementing this increased maritime domain awareness is the capacity to deter and defend.
02:11.5
And one of these deterrence capacities, in addition to our F-A-50 fighter jets and our offshore patrol vessels, is the Brahmos missile.
02:20.0
This is more of a deterrence.
02:22.1
That if suddenly, the other countries will think about entering our waters.
02:29.1
...we now have several batteries of this Brahmos cruise missile, which is going to be deployed to the Philippine Marines.
02:37.6
Analysts believe acquiring the Indian-made supersonic missile would prove the world Manila is serious and committed to territorial defense.
02:46.0
We have already shifted from internal defense to territorial defense.
02:51.3
We really need these highly sophisticated weapons...
02:59.1
...or facilities or even equipment sa kagaya nga nito.
03:03.0
Gusto rin natin reflex yung ating muscles na mayroon na tayong modern weaponry when it comes to deterrence capability of the Philippines.
03:12.2
Aside from high-tech military equipment, the Philippines continues to expand defense and security ties with other countries.
03:19.1
Proof of this is the huge balikatan exercises between Filipino and American soldiers.
03:23.7
The joint military drills kick off on Monday...
03:27.2
...with representatives from at least 14 countries...
03:29.1
...taking part as observers.
03:31.3
The MAC military exercises will stretch up to the edge of the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone...
03:36.8
...which is another change compared to the time of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
03:41.1
During Duterte's term, the exercises were restricted within the 12 nautical miles of the country's territorial waters.
03:47.8
Napakahirap i-restrict ang isang large-scale exercise to just 12 nautical miles.
03:52.3
If you detect an intrusion into your airspace at na-detect mo lang within 12 nautical miles...
03:59.0
...too late na yan. Too late for you to react.
04:01.5
Analysts also commend Manila's foreign policy shift in the wake of China's growing belligerence in the South China Sea.
04:07.8
Ito na-renew the alliance with U.S. under the Marcos administration.
04:12.4
I think it could provide some kind of reassurance in terms of security guarantees.
04:18.2
Lohico also says these exercises are not meant to provoke any country or escalate any conflict.
04:24.8
Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News.
04:29.0
All right. Joining us now on Hot Coffee, we have with us the chairperson of the Senate panel on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones,
04:39.7
Senator Francis Tolentino.
04:41.8
Senator Tolentino, good morning to you.
04:44.4
Morning, Ma'am Karen. Good morning to your viewers as well. Happy Monday.
04:48.1
Happy Monday and happy Earth Day. Today is Earth Day.
04:51.4
Happy Earth Day as well.
04:53.2
All right. I want to take off from your message.
04:57.7
Essentially, a few days...
04:59.0
A few days ago to China when you said the Philippines has the right to conduct military drills with the United States.
05:06.5
Let me take it forward with asking, are we also pushing and already compromising our relationship with our nearest neighbor?
05:18.4
I don't think so.
05:19.7
If you would look at it in a historical context,
05:26.3
even before the argument,
05:29.0
arbitral ruling was rendered.
05:31.5
That was 2026, July to be exact.
05:34.7
And years, years ago,
05:36.9
perhaps bata pa tayo,
05:40.0
meron ng balikatan, exercises.
05:42.7
Meron ng balikatan.
05:43.7
Even during the time of President Gerald Ford,
05:46.5
President Reagan.
05:47.7
So wala pa tayong hidwahan,
05:51.2
perceived conflict with China.
05:54.0
The balikatan exercise has been there.
05:55.9
So it's nothing new.
05:57.9
It has just been,
05:58.7
it has just been rebranded to include other allies
06:05.0
because it's part of UNCLOS.
06:08.4
Freedom of navigation,
06:11.8
respect for maritime domain, etc, etc.
06:14.7
So it's been there.
06:15.5
So there's nothing new.
06:18.8
There's nothing new.
06:20.1
But we know that at the state we're in,
06:24.4
the foreign policy of President Marcos Jr.
06:27.6
has been more forced
06:28.6
When it comes to reiterating the arbitral ruling, when it comes to being vocal with the West Philippine Sea compared to his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, have we also pivoted to the extreme?
06:47.5
It's not an extreme. The Mutual Defense Treaty has been there since 1951.
06:54.0
So matagal na rin yun. Perhaps it's just being highlighted now because of the increased presence and the maneuvers conducted regularly by Chinese vessels against our Philippine vessels doing the resupply mission to Yongin Shoal.
07:15.8
So it has been highlighted. It has been highlighted and there is now an increased solidarity.
07:24.0
There is now an increased solidarity amongst nations supporting us, including the latest, the G7 countries a few days ago supporting the Philippines claim.
07:33.4
So there's nothing new. Pivot in extreme? Our relationship with the United States has been there ever since, since the end of the Treaty of Paris.
07:46.1
So matagal na rin yan. There's nothing new. Na-refocus lang yan. Na-highlight, re-highlighted lang.
07:50.9
Okay. Refocus, highlighted.
07:54.0
At one point, President Marcos Jr. said, the Philippines is friends to all, enemies to none.
08:01.9
But where we are at this point with lawmakers like yourself and even the statement, for example, the very firm and strong statement of Defense Secretary Kibok Kiyodoro to China's responses recently, is that still possible at this point?
08:24.0
Friends to all, enemies to none.
08:26.2
While we continue to assert our rights in our exclusive economic zone, while we continue to make strong headways in our relationship with the United States, I think there's still that chance of having diplomatic ties with China, considering that China is still a huge trading partner.
08:53.3
But again, this is a matter of diplomatic rhetoric, so to speak.
09:03.6
I would say, for me, I am in favor of our strong support with our strongest ally right now, as well.
09:14.7
If you will recall, Karen, I was the one who proposed, modesty aside, of having our own version of Quad.
09:23.3
With Australia, Japan, United States, and the Philippines.
09:26.0
So, I am in full support of anything that would strengthen our defense capabilities, as well as reasserting our rights within our maritime domain.
09:39.8
Not just in the West Philippine Sea, but including the Philippine rice.
09:44.3
Now, just recently, you did propose the Philippine Maritime Zone Law.
09:51.7
And this just passed.
09:53.3
In the Senate, right?
09:55.2
How does this make a difference?
09:56.8
And how does this help the Philippines on the ground with what's happening in the West Philippine Sea when China does not recognize the victory in itself?
10:09.6
It will, it will, well, first, it's for signature now of the President.
10:15.1
I think it will be signed as soon as.
10:16.9
And then, number two, it demonstrates our own domestic implementation.
10:23.3
Of the arbitral ruling.
10:25.1
China's been saying you cannot implement that.
10:27.3
By enacting that law, it demonstrates that we can implement that.
10:32.1
It sets forth the clear demarcation of the territorial maritime boundaries.
10:39.0
Where does our territorial sea end?
10:41.9
Where will the contiguous zone start?
10:45.6
What is the end of our seabed insofar as the exclusive economic zone is concerned?
10:51.3
So, it demonstrates the whole.
10:53.3
World that we are a, a law abiding member of the community of nations and, and, and respectful of our rights as well.
11:05.2
So, and our obligations, part of our obligations under old cross is to have that maritime zones law similar to what Indonesia did.
11:13.7
So again, this is not the end of this.
11:16.9
After the maritime zones law is passed, we will have, I'm now crafting the committee report.
11:23.2
An archipelagic sea lane law.
11:25.7
Ito naman dadaan yung mga barko foreign and domestic, uh, crossing the Philippine, uh, archipelagic water.
11:32.2
So all of this would show that the Philippines is reasserting is complying and is mindful.
11:41.2
Likewise of the rights of the other members of the international community.
11:46.4
And mind you, China is, is a signatory to the, uh, law of the sea, uh, conference now.
11:52.8
Um, can we talk about what essentially is covered with the Philippine maritime zone law?
11:59.3
So the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines is 220 nautical miles, right?
12:07.0
So let's talk about that.
12:08.4
What does the law say specifically 20 nautical miles?
12:15.5
Basically it, it, uh, it adapts what the UN clause states that we have sovereign rights.
12:22.7
We can do, to laymanize all of this, we can do fishing, we have domain over the seabed, the subsurface,
12:33.1
we can explore, exploit, and we conduct marine scientific research within that area,
12:40.3
and we can engage other nations as well, Karen.
12:44.0
So that's why I've been proposing ever since that we should also have, aside from our Balikatan naval exercises,
12:56.1
we should also have alliances with countries on non-defense-related issues, but fishing, research,
13:07.5
marine research, living and non-living of non-living marine resources.
13:14.0
So I'm now proposing, I've been proposing that we adopt a regional fisheries marine organization.
13:25.3
We have that, we have that right now, pero nawala lang.
13:28.2
So it would enable us to polish with other countries for fishing purposes, exploration of gas and oil, etc., etc.
13:39.8
So this would be the byproducts of the maritime development.
13:44.0
So this would be the byproducts of the maritime development.
13:44.7
All right. And even exploration is included in the PH Maritime Zone Law?
13:51.8
It is included because that's part of the Law of the Sea, Karen.
13:55.4
Okay. And what specifically when it comes to exploration?
13:59.5
Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has said that under the Constitution,
14:05.4
we can only get a third-party contractor or we can contract another party for exploration.
14:14.0
Is that, it's not in the same breath?
14:17.8
Perhaps he's referring to foreign technical financial arrangements under the Constitution.
14:25.2
But what I'm saying now is that while the Constitution is,
14:31.1
the Constitution speaks of the exclusive economic zone in our territorial provision.
14:37.6
But what I'm saying is that because we have adopted the UNPLOS,
14:43.3
we have ratification.
14:44.0
The UNPLOS that forms part now of our domestic law.
14:48.1
So we are now entitled to enter into agreements with other countries.
14:53.1
Although there was a Supreme Court decision debunking this,
14:58.2
but with UNPLOS, with the Maritime Zone Law reiterating this,
15:03.4
I think we were now admitting and we have to admit that we don't have the technological capability
15:09.2
to explore and exploit gas and oil.
15:12.1
So kailangan talagang mag-tie.
15:14.0
Yung arrangements, whether this is going to be 60-40 or what,
15:20.0
yun siguro yung sinasabi ni Justice Carpio.
15:26.1
No, actually, well, I wanted to ask you that specifically because I remember Justice Carpio was stating
15:33.1
that under the Constitution, correct me if I'm wrong with this, Senator,
15:37.8
but he stated so many times on Head Start that the Constitution states that everything,
15:44.0
within the exclusive economic zone, is only for the use of the Filipino people, right?
15:52.5
So in effect, there have been attempts to go to partner state-to-state, government-to-government,
15:59.1
and he says that's illegal in the Constitution.
16:03.0
You'd have to contract a third party.
16:05.2
It's illegal, he says.
16:09.8
Well, that's the interpretation.
16:11.4
So let's say to partner, you split.
16:14.0
You split when it comes to exploration, state-to-state.
16:17.7
He says that's not allowed under the Constitution.
16:21.3
It's for an exclusive use of the Filipino people, resources within the EEZ.
16:30.0
That's what he says.
16:30.9
I would perhaps like to disagree.
16:33.5
Even when we refer to fishing rights and marine living resources,
16:43.0
it is acceptable.
16:44.0
It's not explicitly in UNCLOS, which is now part of our Constitution,
16:51.1
that we can even share if there is a surplus of fisheries.
16:57.2
That's the job of...
16:57.9
But that's fisheries.
16:58.8
That's fisheries.
16:59.9
This is an exploration for energy.
17:02.9
This is an exploration...
17:03.9
Like Malaysia, for example.
17:05.7
They're now exploring...
17:06.9
This is for gas and oil.
17:09.4
So fisheries is very different from gas and oil.
17:14.8
So to share is the big question.
17:18.4
Getting a third...
17:19.1
No, we're looking here now...
17:21.9
We're looking now here at investments.
17:25.5
Perhaps Malampaya would be a good example.
17:28.6
That's not a total Filipino venture.
17:31.7
You have Shell Corporation being there.
17:34.7
So I'm sure they have also their ROI in the area
17:39.7
because we have to admit,
17:41.7
hindi naman natin kayang hukayin doon.
17:43.4
So we don't have that facilities like what Texamo has.
17:47.0
So that's a third party.
17:48.3
That's what I mean.
17:49.0
That's a third party.
17:50.3
So it's not, for example,
17:52.2
what's pitched with exploration is China and the Philippines,
17:55.6
another country in the Philippines.
17:58.1
That's what he said.
17:59.1
But most of this,
18:01.2
if you speak of total,
18:05.4
speak of Royal Dutch Shell,
18:08.5
these are state-sponsored oil companies.
18:13.4
Without the Netherlands,
18:14.6
there would be no Royal Dutch Shell.
18:17.2
there would be no total gas corporations.
18:21.7
So nandun din yon.
18:23.2
So what I'm saying is this.
18:25.1
We go beyond defense alliances.
18:27.9
We go into exploration of gas and oil.
18:30.8
We go to the exploration of enhancement,
18:35.3
likewise, of our marine living resources.
18:38.5
Not just in the West Philippine Sea,
18:40.4
but even in the Philippine rice.
18:43.2
doon lang tayo nakapopos.
18:44.4
Meron pa yung kabila,
18:46.2
which is rich in fisheries.
18:48.8
So all of this would be considered,
18:52.1
going back to your previous question,
18:54.1
as part of the maritime zones law.
19:00.6
we can talk about Malampaya later on
19:02.7
because I just updated.
19:06.2
Shell has already completed the sale, right?
19:09.2
So they're not in Malampaya anymore.
19:11.4
It's essentially a consortium,
19:13.2
a consortium of Udena,
19:16.1
well, there's still Shell Philippines,
19:17.8
Shell Philippines,
19:19.6
Shell Philippines and the PNOC.
19:22.2
But moving forward,
19:25.6
did the PH maritime law cover the gray areas,
19:29.8
the gray tactics?
19:32.4
in the last few days,
19:34.0
there was still water cannon incidents
19:36.3
with our Philippine vessels
19:39.2
when it was bringing supply to BRP Shera Madre.
19:43.2
Would it prevent?
19:45.7
No, that's not covered
19:47.3
in the Mutual Defense Treaty to activate.
19:50.4
So does the PH maritime zone address
19:53.0
these questions of, let's say,
19:55.3
the use of water cannon within our EEZ?
20:00.0
Not directly, Karen.
20:02.3
So perhaps the question would now shift
20:05.4
to would it prevent violations, no?
20:08.5
Similar to all of our laws
20:10.1
with the current revisions,
20:13.2
vice penal code prevent crimes?
20:16.1
Would the National Internal Revenue Code
20:19.3
prevent tax evaders?
20:22.1
But there would be a limit.
20:24.4
There would be a bar.
20:25.4
There would be a deterrence,
20:27.2
so to speak, Karen.
20:29.0
So what we did is to
20:32.5
adapt the arbitral ruling,
20:40.5
expound it through domestic law,
20:44.3
and make the entire global community
20:46.8
be aware that we have this law.
20:50.1
This is part of the global rules-based order,
20:58.2
and we're adapting it.
20:59.6
So I think after the signature is affixed by the President,
21:04.0
it's now proper for the Department of Foreign Affairs
21:07.0
to submit it to the Secretary of the Bunklos
21:10.9
and the UN General.
21:13.2
Well, the Assembly,
21:14.4
for its proper notification, Karen.
21:18.2
What do you make of China's response
21:22.6
your proposed law,
21:24.2
that they said they slammed essentially the Senate?
21:30.1
I don't know if it's the Senate per se,
21:31.8
but the fact that the Philippines
21:33.2
is even strengthening what they described
21:36.3
as the illegal arbitration,
21:43.2
by forming a law.
21:45.8
That's a natural,
21:46.7
perhaps that's a natural knee-jerk reaction
21:50.1
coming from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
21:53.6
I'm sure they won't accept that law
22:00.7
I surmise that that's a natural reaction
22:03.6
because they never accepted the arbitral ruling
22:07.0
in the first place.
22:10.9
there's been a lot of talk
22:12.6
and recommendation
22:14.7
that the Philippines
22:15.8
should actually go to court
22:20.5
for environmental damages.
22:23.4
Let's talk about that first.
22:24.8
Do you agree with the idea
22:26.9
of going back to court?
22:28.7
I interviewed a former Solicitor General,
22:31.3
Francis Ardeleza,
22:34.1
this is a decision the President has to make
22:36.7
because it's the state
22:38.5
that essentially sues,
22:41.1
and it's the state,
22:43.8
essentially part of the budget
22:47.0
for going to court.
22:49.5
roughly during the time
22:52.1
of the late President Aquino,
22:54.3
more than a billion pesos
22:55.8
was actually spent for the case,
23:01.4
So that was quite surprising.
23:03.9
But do you agree,
23:05.5
Senator Tolentino,
23:06.4
that we should go to court again
23:09.4
for environmental damages?
23:12.6
I think anything that would beef up
23:15.0
the position of the Philippines
23:18.8
So perhaps Justice Ardeleza
23:21.0
is now referring to the ITLOS.
23:24.2
There's another tribunal
23:25.4
that can take cognizance of this
23:28.0
because we are all aware
23:29.4
of the damages done
23:33.4
I have pictures here.
23:37.7
and all the other shoals.
23:42.6
these are priceless
23:47.9
that is also part of UNCLOS
23:50.1
that the protection
23:51.6
of which should benefit
23:54.0
the entire humankind.
23:56.4
So I think going to court
23:58.9
would strengthen our position.
24:01.1
But I agree with Justice Ardeleza
24:03.2
that this is a decision
24:05.2
for the President to make.
24:09.3
Now, just recently
24:13.5
in very strong terms
24:24.3
You refuted China's accusation.
24:27.4
The context being
24:28.2
you refuted China's accusation
24:30.6
that the Philippines
24:31.5
is destroying Recto Bank
24:38.3
Meron tayong payaos.
24:40.4
Payaos in the area.
24:41.9
Can we talk about
24:43.5
that particular situation?
24:45.9
Because that's a whole other
24:51.6
I cannot speak for them
24:53.3
how they can claim
24:56.4
that we're the ones
24:57.2
destroying the ecosystem
25:01.2
subject to proof again.
25:04.4
Again, so if we file a case
25:06.1
and perhaps they can make
25:07.9
that you're the Philippines,
25:09.9
you're the one destroying
25:11.9
because of the paayos
25:16.3
that BIFAR has been placing.
25:19.2
So again, that's subject to proof.
25:21.2
But again, perhaps,
25:22.8
to put it in proper context,
25:25.0
when I said they're lying,
25:27.9
they're lying because
25:28.9
they have brought more damages.
25:33.0
used to be just a reef.
25:37.8
Now it's a military base.
25:44.1
So, we're talking here
25:48.7
of a marine ecosystem
25:50.7
that can no longer be
25:53.7
placed in its original position.
25:58.4
Ang daming structure na doon.
26:00.3
So what more can you say about that?
26:05.7
But the mere placement
26:06.9
of these fishing gears
26:09.7
would probably not result
26:11.7
in a destruction of the environment.
26:13.7
These are for fishermen.
26:16.9
These are for our fisherfolk.
26:18.8
So there's nothing wrong with that.
26:22.9
Well, I think on that note,
26:25.9
this is a bit related,
26:27.5
but off already, your purview.
26:30.5
There's a lot of concern
26:32.6
over Chinese students.
26:34.1
I'm sure you've heard stories, sir.
26:37.4
I've heard 6,000 Chinese students
26:40.5
in a private university.
26:42.7
Another source tells me
26:44.4
it's actually 11,000
26:46.4
Chinese students in Cagayan.
26:48.4
I believe there are two EDCA sites
26:52.4
and that's facing the West Philippine Sea.
26:54.4
So you have some...
26:55.4
Or more, or more, or more.
26:57.9
So, what do you make of that, Senator?
27:00.9
I guess, subject against subject,
27:06.4
I would want, perhaps,
27:08.4
if there is an investigation
27:10.4
that's going to be conducted
27:12.3
Incidentally, for purposes of transparency,
27:15.1
I just got a letter from the
27:17.8
the mayor of Tuguegarao herself.
27:21.3
That mayor thing, explaining everything.
27:24.1
It's a long letter I received
27:26.3
in my Viber account.
27:32.0
what she's been saying is that
27:33.8
they've been trying to project Tuguegarao
27:35.4
as a center of learning and education.
27:38.5
So, let's have...
27:41.0
Let's have an investigation
27:42.3
whether this is really true or not.
27:45.2
Because, come to think of it,
27:48.9
is this a mere coincidence?
27:51.5
Come to think of it,
27:52.8
would you have 11,000 spies?
27:55.1
Come to think of it,
27:57.5
were they vetted before by the CHED
27:59.9
and the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation?
28:03.5
Kung talagang mali yun naging proseso,
28:05.7
i-deport na lang natin.
28:07.4
Yeah, I agree that this can be alarming if,
28:10.8
some of them are part of a sleeper cell.
28:15.4
But, if they're really part of a plan to project
28:24.0
Kagayan, Tuguegarao,
28:25.8
as a center of learning,
28:28.7
kaya nga kailangan muna natin investigation
28:31.4
before we can surmise and conclude na mali ito,
28:36.3
We need evidence.
28:37.3
We need evidence, Karen.
28:39.0
So, I'll be part of that investigation.
28:40.8
Kung magkakaroon natin.
28:43.4
I'm curious, another one is,
28:45.7
do you still think it's worth
28:47.8
to have an investigation on the supposed
28:49.9
gentleman's agreement
28:51.7
that former President Duterte made
28:54.0
with Chinese President Xi Jinping?
28:56.5
And now that we know
28:58.1
that now Ambassador Teddy looks in
29:00.7
when he was Foreign Affairs Secretary,
29:02.8
signed an agreement,
29:05.1
I mean, is this still worth an investigation today?
29:08.5
Or should it be moving forward at this point?
29:10.7
Moving forward, probably would be the best term.
29:19.7
Sabi ni Presidente, if there was an agreement,
29:22.9
quote-unquote, I have already rescinded that agreement,
29:26.2
so there is no more agreement.
29:27.8
If there was an agreement,
29:29.3
how can there be an agreement that would be applicable
29:34.0
if it was not ratified by the Senate?
29:36.9
Under the Constitution, we need to ratify an agreement.
29:40.1
How can an agreement be made secret
29:44.2
and not disclosed to the Filipino people
29:46.5
when they're supposed to be the ones affected by an agreement?
29:49.8
So, moving forward,
29:51.4
I think we should now discuss things
29:56.4
that would not be destructive, Karen.
30:00.3
Ano yung dapat natin gawin
30:02.3
after the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law?
30:05.6
Ano yung dapat natin gawin
30:07.0
para matulungan yung ating mangingisda?
30:09.3
Ano yung dapat natin gawin
30:11.1
para mapalakas yung presence natin sa Second Thomas Shoal
30:15.0
and the other areas, Karen?
30:18.1
Not just in the Exclusive Economic Zone
30:22.9
in the West Philippine Sea,
30:24.1
but again, I reiterate dun sa Philippine Rise, Karen.
30:28.0
So, let's move forward.
30:31.6
Let's accept what the current Chief Architect
30:35.6
of Philippine Diplomacy is doing, and then,
30:39.3
let's unite as one nation, Karen.
30:44.1
Just to add, my last question is,
30:46.9
there was a lot of push at one point
30:51.3
for economic changes in the 1987 Constitution,
30:57.3
It seems that it's not...
30:60.0
Where is it now, Senator?
31:02.0
Is there still a push?
31:04.2
You're referring to...
31:09.3
Which was passed by the lower house.
31:11.4
The second one is RBA 7.0,
31:14.0
which is still pending in a committee of the Senate.
31:18.7
So, it's still in the committee level.
31:20.6
I'm not the chairman of the committee,
31:23.9
but I was one of those who filed the bill
31:28.1
asking for economic reforms in our Constitution.
31:33.3
Dalawa kami ni Senator De La Rosa.
31:35.7
So, if you're gonna ask me,
31:37.0
bayan ka ba doon?
31:38.0
Ako nga yung author, Karen.
31:39.0
Ang tanong ngayon,
31:41.0
kaya ako tinanong ito,
31:43.0
is given that there's news, right,
31:46.0
of an influx of Chinese students in Tuguegarao,
31:50.0
and then part of the changes is to open education.
31:55.0
So, it's always...
31:58.0
There's always...
31:59.0
There are two sides to this.
32:01.0
You open to the West, right?
32:03.0
But also open to...
32:05.0
The educational reforms would refer to investment,
32:09.0
in educational institutions.
32:11.0
We need more medical schools.
32:13.0
We need more high-quality medical schools.
32:16.0
We need more schools that would provide
32:20.0
more digital access to our students.
32:23.0
Filipino students, I'm referring to.
32:25.0
So, there's a big whale of difference
32:28.0
when you speak of accepting foreign students,
32:31.0
which we have been doing ever since.
32:33.0
Dito galing sa atin yung mga pilot sa iba't ibang bansa,
32:36.0
sa mga flying schools natin.
32:38.0
Even yung mga Nigerian medical students,
32:41.0
dito sa atin, graduate lahat yan.
32:43.0
So, magkaiba yan, Karen.
32:45.0
Accepting foreign students
32:48.0
as differentiated from accepting investments
32:53.0
to fund our tertiary education, Karen.
32:59.0
Okay. May pinapatanong po dito, sir, no?
33:02.0
This is from the news desk.
33:04.0
Interesting. We move to politics.
33:07.0
Ang dami mong tanong, Karen.
33:09.0
As a former supporter of President Duterte
33:15.0
as PDP Laban Chair, right?
33:18.0
Over the weekend,
33:21.0
has already endorsed his re-election bid.
33:25.0
Are you still looking at this as an advantage
33:29.0
given somehow the negative impression being earned
33:33.0
by former President Duterte
33:35.0
on the West Philippine Sea issue?
33:37.0
And what's your reaction to the party's decision
33:40.0
to drop Laban from the PDP Laban's name?
33:46.0
Is a Duterte endorsement at this point for you still a plus?
33:51.0
I value President Duterte's endorsement.
33:56.0
That's it. Tayo po ay tumatanaw ng utang na loob.
33:60.0
Number two, yung pag-aalis ng Laban,
34:03.0
I'm not part of that.
34:05.0
Perhaps there was a committee
34:07.0
na nag-isip ka, nag-decide.
34:10.0
I'm not privy to that.
34:11.0
But siguro iniisip ko lang
34:13.0
to drop the name Laban
34:15.0
would be a process,
34:17.0
an evolutionary process of a shift in ideology
34:21.0
because Laban would always speculate and conclude fight.
34:26.0
It would always be confrontational and oppositional.
34:31.0
So, perhaps the rebranding,
34:34.0
Isipan ko lang ito.
34:36.0
The rebranding would probably be directed
34:41.0
to moderate voters or Filipinos
34:46.0
na hindi naman gusto lang.
34:48.0
42 years ng Laban.
34:50.0
Hindi naman po pwedeng 42 years
34:52.0
ng nakikipag-away.
34:55.0
So, for me siguro, tama yun.
34:57.0
Nawala na yung confrontational stance
35:01.0
and that's an issue.
35:03.0
I think it would be
35:04.0
an evolution of ideology
35:12.0
to increase their mass base.
35:15.0
Here's another one.
35:19.0
Where do you stand with Pastor Apollo Quibulo?
35:21.0
You have colleagues
35:23.0
who've said that he did not receive due process.
35:27.0
But you have other colleagues.
35:28.0
I mean, a warrant was issued.
35:31.0
what do you make of this whole situation?
35:33.0
Should he surrender?
35:39.0
as chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights,
35:42.0
we have to differentiate between
35:47.0
court-issued warrants
35:49.0
and warrants issued by a committee
35:54.0
I always believe that
35:56.0
the warrant issued by the Senate
36:03.0
an implied power,
36:07.0
to secure the attendance of a resource person
36:10.0
in aid of legislation.
36:13.0
you have a Supreme Court case,
36:16.0
But when it comes to
36:17.0
court-issued warrants,
36:20.0
I would always believe that
36:22.0
courts issuing a warrant
36:24.0
would be by virtue of their
36:30.0
et cetera, et cetera.
36:32.0
you've read all of this.
36:33.0
I've been saying,
36:34.0
respect the rights of Pastor Quibuloy.
36:44.0
I think 75,000 to 200,000 pesos,
36:46.0
he can pay for it.
36:48.0
He has his lawyers.
36:54.0
from anecdotal reports
36:57.0
would probably be
36:58.0
a non-bailable case.
37:01.0
if you look at the rules,
37:04.0
the rules of court,
37:06.0
while it is not a matter of right
37:11.0
be considered bailable,
37:14.0
if he can just submit himself
37:16.0
to the jurisdiction of the court,
37:19.0
his lawyers can find avenues
37:25.0
and to prove that
37:27.0
his guilt is not strong.
37:31.0
but what you're saying,
37:32.0
what you're saying,
37:33.0
he should submit?
37:34.0
He should submit?
37:35.0
He should submit,
37:46.0
it would show that
38:02.0
in the legal proceedings
38:11.0
constitutional right.
38:13.0
kailangan dumaan sa proseso.
38:15.0
nasa abogado na niya yan
38:29.0
for the rule of law.
38:31.0
I want to thank you
38:32.0
for joining me today,
38:33.0
Senator Francis Tolentino.
38:41.0
We're gonna take a quick break
38:43.0
We'll be right back.
39:02.0
the alleged influx
39:03.0
of Chinese students
39:07.0
of Chinese nationals
39:13.0
by Surigao del Norte
39:15.0
Robert Ace Barbers.
39:17.0
Representative Barbers,
39:19.0
Good morning, Karen,
39:20.0
and good morning,
39:24.0
Thank you for having me.
39:29.0
is the information
39:31.0
and is there more
39:33.0
to the information
39:35.0
of Chinese students?
39:38.0
are quite different
39:46.0
of these students.
39:53.0
from the information
40:02.0
and Congressman D.
40:17.0
these two members
40:23.0
for an investigation.
40:29.0
is quite different
40:37.0
but there's still
40:46.0
in the university
40:50.0
complete English.
40:55.0
straight English.
41:16.0
there is a national
41:28.0
near an EDCA site,
41:30.0
Or in the vicinity
41:35.0
that's a big question.
41:50.0
straight English.
41:55.0
That's why there's
41:57.0
for an investigation.
42:12.0
is quite surprising
42:13.0
because you have a number,
42:30.0
would probably be
42:31.0
De La Salle University,
42:34.0
or even University of the Philippines.
42:41.0
related to that particular story
42:45.0
There are reports
42:46.0
of Chinese nationals
42:47.0
posing as Filipinos
42:49.0
And just recently,
42:51.0
Coast Guard Commander
42:52.0
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan,
42:56.0
before the House Committee
43:02.0
did recruit Chinese nationals
43:03.0
as auxiliary members
43:05.0
of the Coast Guard,
43:06.0
but they have since been delisted.
43:14.0
Chinese nationals,
43:15.0
let's start with that,
43:16.0
posing as Filipinos.
43:34.0
That's a big question mark,
43:37.0
on top of my head,
43:41.0
the Philippine Coast Guard
43:42.0
Auxiliary recruit,
43:48.0
of the issue between the West Philippines,
43:49.0
Why would you recruit, quote-unquote, your enemy?
43:53.1
I'm not being racist.
43:58.9
The idea is that we have Filipino-Chinese businessmen
44:03.3
who are already members of the auxiliary.
44:06.1
And in fact, they were helping a lot, the Coast Guard.
44:09.5
Why is there a necessity to recruit Chinamen?
44:14.6
And mind you, Karen, this Chinamen,
44:16.9
I have photos that these Chinamen
44:20.4
that were recruited in the auxiliary have ranks,
44:24.1
as high as a Commodore.
44:28.2
But when the Philippine Coast Guard gets auxiliary men,
44:33.4
they don't ask for your passport?
44:37.3
I think you should have a Filipino passport.
44:41.1
Yes, there is a policy.
44:45.6
a requirement that you have to comply.
44:49.4
One is that you have to get a clearance from,
44:52.8
I think, international...
44:54.6
in our intelligence community.
44:58.5
Number two, of course, Filipino passport.
45:01.8
So, since these guys have no Filipino passport,
45:06.4
and yet they were still recruited by the previous commandant of the Coast Guard,
45:12.3
there's a big question mark again.
45:14.2
So, I'm glad that 36 or 40 of them were already delisted.
45:20.5
And we have information, although this is not verified yet,
45:25.4
that one of those that were included in the delisted roster
45:33.0
or two are members of the Philippine...
45:36.8
I'm sorry, the Chinese military.
45:39.8
Maybe they're just gathering intelligence or information
45:44.1
what the Philippine Coast Guard's capacity is.
45:50.5
But with all of these reports,
45:55.6
what has to be changed with our policy?
45:59.2
Or I guess the implementation?
46:01.5
Because you have different reports, right?
46:04.1
First, the students buying land,
46:06.8
and then now, the Philippine Coast Guard.
46:09.0
So, it's essentially, it's multi-pronged, right?
46:14.1
Considering we have the West Philippine Sea issue.
46:17.2
Yeah, you know, that's quite alarming, Karen,
46:20.8
with the West Philippine issue
46:24.6
between China and the Philippines.
46:28.5
And yet, you see all these other side issues coming out.
46:33.7
The Chinese citizens were able to get fake and spurious documents
46:39.5
so that they can buy lands,
46:41.9
they can secure...
46:44.1
your IDs, national IDs,
46:46.9
they can secure licenses,
46:48.6
even firearms licenses.
46:50.6
Second, you have an influx of Chinese
46:54.0
who are enrolled in universities near EDCA sites.
46:57.8
And some of them do not actually appear before the university.
47:03.7
I mean, you know...
47:05.3
There are reports.
47:06.7
Well, there are reports, right,
47:08.4
of 2 million pesos in exchange for graduation.
47:12.6
Those are, I believe,
47:14.1
verified, but was mentioned on the program.
47:18.5
And another is that
47:19.9
the Coast Guard Auxiliary,
47:23.6
where hundreds of China men were recruited
47:27.6
as part of the auxiliary.
47:30.7
Apparently, their justification was that
47:33.4
they need to recruit these China men
47:35.8
because they are helping the Coast Guard
47:39.4
in times of calamities,
47:40.9
in times of, I don't know,
47:43.0
they just recruited them,
47:44.1
saying they probably are donating materials
47:49.4
to the Philippine Coast Guard.
47:52.2
But the point is,
47:54.0
in the midst of the issue
47:56.0
between China and the Philippines,
47:58.0
on the West Philippine...
47:58.9
It's so hot, this topic,
48:01.2
the West Philippine Sea.
48:02.9
Why would you, so to speak,
48:05.8
sleep with the enemy?
48:08.5
And it's not actually clear.
48:10.5
I'm not saying the Chinese is the enemy here.
48:13.5
There are Chinese tourists that we welcome.
48:17.4
There are Chinese businessmen
48:20.0
that we welcome as well.
48:21.8
But those that are Chinese tourists,
48:28.3
sorry, Chinese who come here
48:30.9
with questionable motives,
48:33.3
then, siguro, dapat tingnan natin mabuti
48:35.9
at investigahan niya.
48:39.1
I want to thank you for joining me today,
48:40.9
Surigao del Norte Representative
48:45.9
Thank you, Karen.
48:47.9
And that's the end start today, everybody.
48:50.2
Thank you for joining us.
48:51.4
I'm Karen Davila.
48:52.7
You can watch a playback of our episode today
48:55.4
on the ANC YouTube channel.
48:58.0
Stay informed and stay with ANC.
49:13.5
We'll see you next time.
