On the joint celebration of PDP-Laban and Communist Party of China – Statement of Partido Liberal VP for External Affairs Erin Tanada

The joint celebration of PDP-Laban’s 36th founding anniversary and launch of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book leaves a bad taste in the mouth, considering that we are now seeing the most aggressive military build-up by China in the disputed waters of West Philippine Sea with the Philippine government disturbingly quiet.

While the Philippines’ ruling party mouths the need for deeper exchanges and cooperation for sound progress of the two nations, let us not stray from the reality that this is the same government that keeps violating international standards of laws and rules.

It has turned a blind eye and deaf ears to our appeals and diplomatic initiatives, while continuing its aggression in the disputed waters.

Propriety dictates that we should be more judicious of the people we choose to invite to wine and dine.

Is this a celebration of our subservience, docility, and surrender?

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May naiiwang masamang panlasa sa bibig ang pinagsabay na pagdiriwang ng ika-36 na anibersaryo ng pagkatatag ng PDP-Laban at ang paglunsad ng libro ni Chinese President Xi Jinping habang nakikita ang pinaka-agresibong militarisasyon ng China sa pinagtatalunang bahagi ng West Philippine Sea na pinagsasawalang-kibo ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas.

Habang sinasabi ng naghaharing partido na kailangan ng mas malalim na pakikisalamuha at kooperasyon para sa mahusay na pag-unlad ng dalawang bansa, huwag tayong pumikit sa katotohanang ang gobyerno ring ito ang patuloy na lumalabag sa mga internasyonal na pamantayan ng mga batas at patakaran.

Naging bulag at bingi ito sa ating mga apila at diplomatikong inisyatiba, habang patuloy ang pagsalakay nito sa pinagtatalunang teritoryo.

Dinidikta ng makatuwirang-asal ang maging mas mapanuri sa mga taong pipiliing makasalo sa pagdiriwang tulad nito.

Ito ba ay selebrasyon ng ating pagkaalipin, pagiging sunud-sunuran, at pagsuko?