Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday dared Vice President Leni Robredo to a debate on whether or not President Rodrigo Duterte's policy on the West Philippine Sea resulted in the loss of the nation's territories.
"Si VP Leni, wala rin pong tigil sa pagpupula kay Presidente pagdating sa West Philippine Sea...Kung ayaw po ni (former) Justice (Antonio) Carpio…dahil wala rin tigil po si VP Leni, baka gusto niya kaming dalawa na lang," Roque said in a Palace briefing.
[Translation: VP Leni also hasn't stopped criticizing the President when it comes to the West Philippine Sea. If former Justice Carpio doesn't want to, Robredo might want to debate with me instead.]
The spokesman has defended Duterte's approach to China's aggression, saying it is "careful, calculated, and calibrated." He added that it is consistent with the principles of international law that requires a dispute resolution through peaceful and legal means. Carpio and other critics have slammed Duterte for being too soft regarding China’s bullying.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Robredo's spokesperson Atty. Barry Gutierrez hit Roque for challenging the vice president even after Duterte backed out of a debate he first initiated against Carpio. After the former justice heeded the call, the President assigned Roque to argue on his behalf.
"Mas mabuti pa, tularan na lang ninyo si VP Leni: magtrabaho na lang kayo. Dami niyong oras eh," Gutierrez wrote.
[Translation: It would be better if you just imitate VP Leni: just do your job. It seems you have so much time.]
On Sunday, Robredo said Duterte's recent statements regarding the territorial disputes, including calling the Philippines' arbitral victory against China a mere scrap of paper, is a "very serious" matter, adding that the country's sovereignty should never be taken lightly. Robredo also said the Duterte-Carpio debate would have been beneficial to the public, especially to those not familiar with the West Philippine Sea issue.
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