Press Briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:
On the peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea, the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos, the recent violence against journalists, and other topics
Briefing Room, 2/F New Executive Building, Malacañang, Manila
June 13, 2011
SECRETARY EDWIN LACIERDA: I just have a statement on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Aurea Calica [Philippine Star]: Instead of mentioning the United States whenever you’re talking about this Spratlys issue, isn’t it better to just come out with a statement or position with the ASEAN countries, both with or without claims to the island, so that we diffuse more the attention rather than increase it by involving a country that is not actually involved in the fight? So, I think our position has always been to have a collective declaration or collective statement with the rest of the ASEAN countries. Shouldn’t we push for this at this time?
LACIERDA: That is correct. In fact, if you look at our statement, it’s stated here that the administration has always called for a peaceful, multilateral settlement with regard to contested claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Calica: Yes, but don’t you think it is high time that we push for the declaration which says that the ASEAN would deal with this collectively, and not just the Philippines…
LACIERDA: I think we will leave that to the Department of Foreign Affairs. But, if you noticed in the last ASEAN meeting also, that was discussed. If you would also recall Secretary Albert del Rosario who suggested us all for peace. So these are all consistent with our approach to a peaceful resolution on the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Calica: How would you react to statements that we should boycott Chinese-made products and things like these?
LACIERDA: If you’re referring to the statement of Governor Joey Salceda, well, that is his belief in that particular matter, but that is not administration policy.
Mia Gonzales [Business Mirror]: Do you think that the call of Governor Salceda to boycott Chinese products is productive?
LACIERDA: As we’ve said, it’s not administration policy. Our position is that we would prefer peaceful settlement to the resolution to this matter.
Joel Guinto [Bloomberg]: When you said that the government is determined to improve its military and coast guard capabilities, does that mean that there are other new military acquisitions aside from ‘yung Hamilton class cutter na sinasabi ni Presidente?
LACIERDA: ‘Yung Hamilton class cutter is one that’s being prepared right now. We’ve already acquired it. We’re having training sa paggamit ng Hamilton class cutter. On the other matters naman, we will leave it to the Department of National Defense to make the necessary announcements on that part.
Guinto: But are we looking at acquisitions specifically to guard Reed Bank and our interests in the West Philippine Sea?
LACIERDA: We have a very wide coastline. In our meeting with the Defense Minister of China, we also mentioned that these acquisition of vessels and equipment are not only for the protection of our coastlines, but also for our environmental protection. That was mentioned to them. The Defense Minister was informed of those planned acquisitions.
Guinto: Sir, but is there a policy thrust to strengthen our defenses in the South China Sea given…
LACIERDA:I think continuous ang pag-patrol ng mga areas doon sa West Philippines Sea especially what we considered as ours. So that is not something surprising.
Simone [Voice of America]: I guess part of my question was what Joel Guinto had asked. But the other part is, was there an expression yesterday by the Executive Secretary to call on the US for help should, you know, anything escalate to a higher level? And it’s kind of conflicted with what you said earlier this morning.
LACIERDA: Yes, we are—again, we would like to emphasize right now that we are very, very confident and hopeful that a peaceful resolution will be achieved in this matter. I was with—we were able to speak with the Chinese Ambassador yesterday, and he also reiterated his position, the Chinese position with the President. He also mentioned to me, personally, that they have the same position calling for a peaceful resolution on the West Philippine Sea. So, we believe that it is, at this point, speculative to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty. Right now, we are dwelling with a resolution, a peaceful resolution on the conflict in West Philippine Sea.
Simone: Just a follow up. How is that going? When you talk about a peaceful resolution, we hear that all the time. But can you be a little more specific? What kinds of movements are happening?
LACIERDA: Discussions are ongoing between the Chinese Embassy and our Department of Foreign Affairs. There have been continuous dialogues and coordination between the two entities. So it’s not something that we are pronouncing any statements here and the Chinese Ambassador is making a statement from his residence in the Chinese Embassy. We’re not speaking only through the media; there’s a constant dialogue between the Chinese Embassy and our Department of Foreign Affairs. That’s why we are confident that a peaceful resolution can still be achieved.
Reymund Tinaza [Bombo Radyo]: Sir, how could you just simply dismiss the statement of Governor Salceda considering his connection, his influence and even an ally of the President? Do you think it’s called for?
LACIERDA: We respect his opinion. But again, let me state that this is an administration policy. We have a healthy trade with the People’s Republic of China. So, it’s not something that we could immediately just call for without consequences on our part and as well as their part.
Tinaza: But some of his followers and those who believe in him might do as he calls.
LACIERDA: Well, anyone can do as he pleases. But as far as policy is concerned, it is not our policy to boycott Chinese products.
Tinaza: You don’t have any counter call?
LACIERDA: Our counter thought is that we are going for a peaceful resolution on the conflict in the West Philippine Sea.
Tinaza: So, Filipinos should still buy Chinese products?
LACIERDA: I think, we have an investment in the trade between China and the Philippines, and it is not something we can easily dismiss.
Aytch dela Cruz [Daily Tribune]: Sir, the Armed Forces of the Philippines daw reportedly adopted a news blackout on the issues of Spratlys considering the sensitivity of the issue. Will the Palace also adopt the same policy and just leave everything to the DFA to answer with this para maiwasan iyong…
LACIERDA: We are in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Dela Cruz: So, you’re not going to impose this?
LACIERDA: When we are asked, we will be—let me state also—during several briefings, I already mentioned na in the security cluster briefings that there was already a decision that the DFA will continue to be the lead agency in dealing with the Spratlys. So, we take our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Calica: Sir, you said you are taking your cue from the DFA. Just for consistency and writing styles, is it now our policy to cal the South China [as] Sea West Philippines?
LACIERDA: I think like I said, we are taking our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs; they have consistently used West Philippines Sea, and also, sa Department of National Defense has also been using West Philippine Sea. So, it is incumbent on us to just follow, take the cue from them, and refer to the South China Sea as West Philippines Sea.
In any event, all the other nations would cal the South China Sea based on how they perceived. They call them on their own terms as well. Vietnam calls it East Sea. So, it’s just natural for us to call it West Philippine Sea.
Calica: So, is there a need for a law or for us to include this now on our textbooks, like what other countries…
LACIERDA: I would have to beg your indulgence whether a law should be required, but as far as how we are referring to the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea, we will be adopting the position taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Norman Bordadora [Philippine Daily Inquirer]: Sir, the last part of your statement read what the administration determined to improve capabilities in the defense establishment, sir. Can we expect increased defense spending in next year’s budget?
LACIERDA: I would have to defer to the Department of National Defense. The budget reviews is ongoing right now. So, I would not able to comment right now, Norman, with respect to the budget of National Defense. But we will let you know.
Bordadora: You also said that all parties concerned are refrained from making statements that might become an obstacle to the peaceful resolution of the course of the… But, isn’t referring to the Reed Bank as Recto Bank, somehow fuelling or somehow adding to the tension?
LACIERDA: I think the emphasis is on the peaceful resolution. Calling the Reed Bank a Recto Bank is just, but proper for us. We have always considered again that the Reed Bank is part of our national territory. We do not see this as a statement that would inflame the situation. Again, the emphasis here in the Philippines is on a peaceful resolution. That is the statement that we have made. That is the statement that I have personally expressed to the Chinese Ambassador yesterday and which the Chinese Ambassador also expressed to the President.
Bordadora: Sir, so the policy now is to call islands or whatever territories in the West Philippine Sea based on how the Philippines perceived them to be.
LACIERDA: We take our cue from the Department of foreign Affairs.
Roma Agsalud [RPN 9]: Sir, in connection with Norman’s question. While we are all for peaceful resolution, don’t you think the statement, the reiteration of the statement that we are improving our capabilities further fuel the tension?
LACIERDA: No. We have already informed the Defense Minister about it.
Gonzales: Sir, just going back to your meeting with you and the President with Ambassador Liu yesterday.
LACIERDA: I am not sure there is a real meeting. It’s just a greeting by the Chinese Ambassador, when he met with the President yesterday for congratulatory handshake. I met with the Ambassador while were waiting for the President come in. So, we emphasized to each other the stress for a peaceful resolution.
Gonzales: So, sir, he gave his message to the President while congratulating him in the reception line?
LACIERDA: I wasn’t present in the brief meeting with the President and the Ambassador. Yes, last Saturday in Manila Hotel, in the event with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, I think both parties reiterated called for a peaceful resolution in the matter.
[To Mia Gonzales] You were in Hongkong then. [laughs]
Willard Cheng [Patrol ng Pilipino]: Sir, regarding the used of the term “West Philippine Sea.” How does it change things with regards of the claims of the Philippines?
LACIERDA: How does it change the claims? We are looking from our perspective. I think that is a change. We are calling it West Philippine Sea based on how we described it and it’s a same matter that goes on with other nations as well. Yesterday in Kawit, Cavite, I had it that confirmed with Ambassador, too, of Vietnam. In fact, he calls the South China Sea as East Sea. So, it’s just consistent with the statements by separate nations on their claim on how they described South China Sea.
Rose Miranda [Abante]: Sir, regarding doon sa scheduled joint naval activities ng RP at saka US, although nabanggit na kahapon ng Palace—anyway coincidence lang iyon, wala namang relations sa tension sa South China Sea. Pero gaano po ka-beneficial kung mayroon man iyong activity na iyon sa efforts to protect our national territories?
LACIERDA: Rose, you always profit from training exercises. It improves your alertness. There is information sharing and then there is also equipment sharing. It’s all a matter of learning from each other. So nakakatulong talaga ang mga exercise in that regard.
Joyce Pañares [Manila Standard]: Sir, the President has announced [on] past month that the Philippines will file a report before the UN on six to seven incursion of China. When will the filing be and do you think this will help prevent further incursions?
LACIERDA: Joyce, I would have to defer again to the Department of Foreign Affairs on the action of the Philippine government. Again, this is part of a peaceful resolution on the matter—filing protest. At least, it is resolved diplomatically. The dialogue will be there, making sure that the issues will be threshed out. I think that is the value of filing a diplomatic protest. But let me ask the Department of Foreign Affairs if they have done so or if they will be doing so in few weeks from now.
Agsalud: Going back on the term “West Philippines Sea,” why just now? Kumbaga, if dati pa namang ginagawa iyon ng other countries, why just now call that island West Philippine Sea at the time when tensions are high?
LACIERDA: Good question. In our security cluster briefings, it’s just a matter of just taking the cue from DFA. There was no intentional reason to inflame the Chinese. It’s just that, you know, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department National Defense in their briefings in the meetings with the security cluster have been using West Philippine Sea. We have decided to take the cue from them and just use it.
Celerina del Mundo: Sir, regarding sa term pa rin, will Malacañang now direct other government agencies to use this West Philippine Sea and Recto Bank?
LACIERDA: There is no policy right now if you are just going to ask us. We are just taking our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs and PAGASA took the cue from Department of Foreign Affairs as well. So they have decided to call the South China Sea as a West Philippine Sea. In fact, I got a text from Usec. [Jun] Yumul that henceforth, they are going to use West Philippines Sea.
Del Mundo: But, sir, later on, will there be any directive that will come out regarding this term?
LACIERDA: That has not been discuss yet. But again, we are taking the cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Guinto: Sir, calling the South China Sea from the Philippines perspective, is that a way that assert our claim on the disputed island?
LACIERDA: To a certain extent, yes. But again, this is all a question of coming from our perspective. Again, the disputes will be there, whether you call it South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. And, that has to be solved diplomatically.
Calica: Sir, you think it will promote nationalism in a sense, because—actually iyong statement ni Governor Salceda was reflective of some ordinary Filipinos statements, iyong comments nila about, no matter how highfaluting the issue is, sasabihin ninyo na, it’s diplomatic—it actually evokes emotions from ordinary Filipino like “ayaw ko na kaya itong Chinese na kapitbahay ko,” like iyong mga ganoong comment?
LACIERDA: Ayaw ko na iyong kalahati ko. [laugh]
Calica: No, I am saying that it actually generates a lot of reactions.
LACIERDA: … Anecdotally, yes, we have seen a surge of nationalism but we have to be very tempered in our response. We have to look at the issue from the whole perspective, not just from the point of trying to be nationalistic out of reason. But we have seen from anecdotal Facebook and comments— we have seen a search of nationalism.
Willard is very pro-Filipino by the way.
Cheng: Thank you for pointing that out, sir. [laughter]
Nonetheless, my question:
Aren’t you worried that this would breed anti-Chinese sentiment or breed hate?
LACIERDA: No. I don’t think so. The Filipinos is a very tolerant race. We’ve seen that in among the South East Asian nations, we have not experienced any form of xenophobia in our country. Also, the Chinese has been intertwined with the Filipinos through the Malay race ever since the Spanish period. So, I do not see any surge of xenophobia in the Philippines. Most of us, I think, have Chines blood one way or the other—not as pure as yours, Willard—but certainly, we are tolerant with other cultures and other races.
Cheng: Do you have any message to the Filipinos who may entertain such…
LACIERDA: I think ang kailangan po nating maalala dito po ay huwag po tayong mandamay ng hindi dapat idamay. Ang mga Chinoy po dito, bagamat sila ay may dugong Tsino, ay Pilipino na rin po sila. Ang tingin po nila, ang perspektibo po nila ay Pilipino. At, I can say for myself that this is my own perspective. I’m looking at this thing as a Filipino citizen and so does Kim Henares or Willard Cheng and Mia Gonzales. [Laughs]
Del Mundo: Sir, hindi ba tayo concerned na it’s the other way around naman na iyong China iyong like mag-impose sa atin ng any sanctions like iyong sa trade natin considering na one of the biggest trading partners din natin ang China?
LACIERDA: I think hindi nila iniisip iyon. Right now, mahalaga po ang statement po ni Ambassador Liu na we prefer a peaceful resolution on the matter.
Del Mundo: Sir, somehow like dito sa Philippines, si Governor Salceda made such a proposal pero in China baka mayroon ding official na mag-bring-up ng ganoong proposal…
LACIERDA: You know what? I’ll ask the Chinese Ambassador; I cannot answer for the Chinese government. They have their own policy and we don’t know what their policies [are]. It’s not fair for me to comment on Chinese policies or Chinese reactions. We leave that to the Chinese to comment on.
Roices Sibal [ABC 5]: Sir, you’ve been talking about…
LACIERDA: Si Roices is Chinese din—Roices Si-Bal. [Laughs]
Sibal: Sir, lagi n’yong sinasabi peaceful resolution pero ang tagal na kasi ng mga nagkakaroon ng…
LACIERDA: Kasi ang diplomasya talaga medyo matagal, Roices.
Sibal: Pero, sir, kumusta na ba iyong talks, iyong sinasabi nyong diplomatic talks doon sa mga nagiging problema?
LACIERDA: Hindi po ako…
Sibal: And then, iyong update, mayroon po ba? Kailan nag-start at kailan natin aasahan na magkakaroon ng peaceful resolution?
LACIERDA: I’m not privy to the discussions within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Chinese Embassy, but suffice it to say that there is an open line of communication between the Chinese Embassy and the DFA as well as to some of us officials also.
Sibal: So informal pa lang ito, sir? Hindi pa iyong…
LACIERDA: Iyong formal na tinatawag, hindi naman. Pero patuloy ang—bukas ang linya ng komunikasyon po sa dalawang partido.
Sibal: Sir, walang formal meeting na…
LACIERDA: Kung mayroon ia-announce po natin.
Rowena dela Fuente [NET 25]: Sir, may we know if the President has already decided on the recommendation of the Vice President regarding the Marcos burial?
LACIERDA: Nasabi na po ni Secretary Ochoa na wala pang desisyon si Pangulong Aquino tungkol diyan.
Dela Fuente: Pero, the former President Fidel Ramos mentioned that there are three preconditions daw before the remains of the former President was allowed to go home before. Iko-consider ba ito?
LACIERDA: We will certainly inform the President na may ganoong statement po si Pangulong [Fidel] Ramos, so that siguro, maging kasama po ito sa kanyang assessment but wala pa po tayong decisions tungkol doon sa bagay na iyan.
Dela Fuente: Sir, mag-gi-get in touch ba with the former President?
LACIERDA: Ang mangyayari po siguro itatanong lang po namin formally kung can we state for the record po iyong sinabi po ni Pangulong Ramos po as part of the deliberative process po ni Pangulong Aquino tungkol sa isyung iyan.
Simone: On the same issue—it’s just for clarification from my understanding. I’m just trying to understand why the Executive Branch—who will decide the issue? Why wouldn’t it be the legislative or—it’s hard for me to understand how it works.
LACIERDA: The issue has been long pestering since the death of the ex-President Marcos. The issue has been delegated to the Executive Branch to decide on that principally because the issue at hand or the person at issue is a former president. So it has been left to the Executive Branch to decide on the matter. And for several administrations that has been an issue. So with respect to this administration, the Vice President has already submitted his recommendations on the matter and so it is the President studying the recommendations of the Vice President. It has been left to the Executive to decide on that matter, on the burial issue.
Calica: How are the discussions with the Marcos family going with regards with the issue?
LACIERDA: I’m not privy to any discussion between the Marcos family and this administration. Again, the Vice President was the one who conducted the study on the matter and he has given the recommendation to the President. But if you’re asking me if the President has communicated with the Marcos family, I’m not aware of any communications between the President and the Marcos family.
Calica: So there will also be no effort to convince them to bury the former President in the place where he’s most loved.
LACIERDA: Which is?
Calica: Ilocos.
LACIERDA: I think the recommendation has been made, and we know the preference of the Marcoses. So it is something that we don’t need to consult them with.
Gonzales: Sir, what are the other considerations being looked into by the President? Why is it taking longer than expected?
LACIERDA: There have been other people who also mentioned in their sentiments on the matter so the President is looking on all the angles in this Marcos burial.
Gonzales: Is he also talking to the human rights victims during the Marcos regime?
LACIERDA: Well, there have been some—I’m not sure if he has talked to anyone but sentiments have also been raised with respect to the human rights victims. Sentiments have also been raised by human rights victims.
Gonzales: Sir, to him personally?
LACIERDA: To intermediaries.
Sibal: Sir, ano po ang plano ni Pangulong Aquino kay COMELEC [Commission on Elections] Chairman Sixto Brillantes?
LACIERDA: That’s a good question. We’ll have to ask the President on that. I understand that may sinabi siyang statement that…
Sibal: He said daw po na kapag na-bypass siya ng CA, he will resign.
LACIERDA: May I ask when he made the statement?
Sibal: I think sa Senate.
LACIERDA: I’m not familiar with the statement; we’ll have to ask the Executive Secretary on that particular statement that he made. We’ll have to ask kung—we’ll have to ask Commissioner Brillantes himself. We have to verify with him first so we would know how to move forward.
Sibal: Sir, I isn’t the Palace concerned lang doon sa—lumabas kasi sa hearing sa Senate that iyong mga Garci boys na tinanggal or nilipat ng posisyon ng dating COMELEC Chairman, apparently under Brillantes, na-promote pa and then nabalik sa ARMM?
LACIERDA: Ang nakita ko lang sa news account iyong kay [Rey] Sumalipao. I think he is the incumbent ARMM Director. We’ll if that’s true, certainly, it’s a concern for us. I spoke to Secretary Ging Deles about this—but you know, but this is the point—we in the Executive Branch is concerned about the presence of, the continued presence of Mr. Sumalipao in ARMM. COMELEC is a separate and independent branch from the Executive Department, sorry, separate agency or separate commission. It’s a constitutional commission. It’s to be independent from the Executive branch. So, we would hope that the Commission en banc as well as the COMELEC Commissioner would do all it can to erase any doubt as to the presence of Mr. Sumalipao in ARMM.
As you know, we have postponed the elections in the ARMM, and as we have already stated, we are pressing for reforms in the ARMM. And we would hope the COMELEC would also do its part in the electoral reforms in the ARMM elections.
Sibal: Sir, going back kay Brillantes, is there a possibility that the President will reappoint him na lang?
LACIERDA: Again, I have to confirm with the President first. I am not aware of the statement that he’s going to resign if he is bypassed. I wasn’t aware of that. We have a meeting already. So I would like to ask your indulgence if we could conclude the Press Briefing. I was just called.
Jess Caduco: Sir, statement lang or directive, kasi may panibago na namang nabaril na radio reporter sa Iriga last Friday.
LACIERDA: May I know what’s the circumstances behind the pagbaril po doon sa radio reporter?
Caduco: Sir, iyong nakikitang motive yata is parang involved din siya during the elections sa isang pulitiko and then iyung sa number games.
LACIERDA: We will have to verify first with the DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] also—but the PNP [Philippine National Police] kasi primarily it’s a peace and order issue. But we’ll ask Chief [Raul] Bacalzo kung anong status po noon. We’d like to get some background on the shooting of the radio reporter.
Caduco: Sir, do you think kailangan na naman magbigay tayo ng protection or sort of protection para sa mga journalists, sir?
LACIERDA: Depende kasi iyan e. Again, we don’t know the reasons behind—if it political, if it is has a private motive behind it. So, the only concern kasi is that they are a very prominent—being a part of media—so we always considered it as assault against press freedom. But we’re strongly against assault on journalist and reporters, but we still have to know the real reason behind that. And that’s why we need to have a background on the incident that happened in Iriga.
Caduco: Sir, may update na po ba tayo doon sa reporter ng Radyo ng Bayan? Ano na’ng nangyari?
LACIERDA: Wala pa. We will have to ask Secretary [Jesse] Robredo kung ano ang kanyang—we will ask Secretary Robredo for the update on the Radyo ng Bayan reporter.
Evangeline Fernandez [Police Files]: Sir, kahapon sa speech ni Presidente, sinabi niya na “‘di baleng may masaktan siyang kaibigan kung talagang sisibakin niya,” may malapit pa ba siyang kaibigan na tatanggalin sa puwesto? Sa palagay n’yo ba si Virgie Torres?
LACIERDA: Again, I cannot comment on that. Hindi po ako familiar doon po sa situation ni—it’s an ongoing investigation. May fact-finding. Hindi pa natin po alam ang resulta po noon.
Fernandez: Sir, can you comment on this. Si Jose Miguel Arroyo nire-reject niya iyong nomination ni Ernesto Francisco para sa Ombudsman.
LACIERDA: Alam n’yo po itong si Ernesto Francisco is my classmate in Ateneo Law School and we understand why Mr. Mike Arroyo is protesting against his appointment considering that he filed. He was very active in filing a case against Mr. Mike Arroyo. I think it’s a plunder case if I’m not mistaken. So we would perfectly understand why he would object to the appointment or the nomination of Mr. Francisco as Ombudsman.
Fernandez: Sir, pabor ba kayo sa sinabi ni Senator Ejercito na si former President Arroyo na wala naman dapat siyang ikatakot kung magfa-file ng mga kaso laban sa kanya?
LACIERDA: I think kung wala kang nagawang mali, wala ka dapat ikatakot. But I think that’s a cliché. I think everybody can live with that cliché, “Kung wala kang nagawang masama, wala kang dapat ikatakot.”
Fernandez: Sir iyong kay Usec. Bisperas, nakikialam po sa National Printing Office, supposedly na si Syliangco ang nandidiyan, may scam po dito?
LACIERDA: Well, number one, ito po ay nasa jurisdiction po ni Secretary [Sonny] Coloma. We would have to ask Secretary Coloma. Nakita ko po iyong article na po niyan and I think sa office po ni Secretary Coloma po ang mas mabuting sumagot niyan dahil under PCOO [Presidential Communications Operations Office] po ang NPO [National Printing Office].
Fernandez: Yesterday, nandoon po si Imelda Marcos. Was she able to talk with the President?
LACIERDA: I’m not sure e. Nakita ko si former First Lady Marcos pero hindi ko po nakita kung nakausap po niya si Pangulong Aquino. I cannot say one way or the other kung nagkausap po sila.
Salamat po. I have to go.
ENDS
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