Senator Robin Padilla's statement that confrontation with China yields no benefits for the Philippines and that continued contestation over the WPS is futile. Such position undermines the plight of Filipino fishermen who, just weeks ago, were injured and had their boats damaged by China Cost Guard water cannons near... Escoda Shoal—incidents that highlight ongoing aggression despite diplomatic efforts. This statement is also a profound disservice to the PCG personnel who are courageously and selflessly patrolling the West Philippine Sea and who are constantly subjected to China’s bullying and dangerous actions. Our presence in these waters is not the cause of escalating tensions. We are there to prevent China from normalizing its illegal presence in the WPS while, at the same time, providing safety and security to our ordinary fishermen. As part of the senate, Sen. Padilla should recognize that the Philippines has never initiated or escalated tensions in the WPS. Instead, we have consistently been on the receiving end of China's barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions, which violate the 2016 Arbitral Award and international law. While Sen. Padilla emphasizes for diplomatic dialogue, he perhaps forgot that the current administration under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has actively pursued diplomacy. President Marcos has repeatedly emphasized maintaining open communication channels with Beijing while asserting that the WPS issue does not define the entirety of Philippines-China relations. As a matter of fact, bilateral trade remains robust: China is the Philippines' top import partner and a major export destination, with trade volumes reaching billions annually despite WPS issue. On Sen. Padilla’s discussion of territorial sea and exclusive economic zones, the Philippine government broadly understands the distinction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is only China that refuses to accept the invalidity of its "nine-dash line," as ruled by the 2016 Arbitral Award. Sen. Padilla's vision—that Filipino fishermen fish freely in the WPS, that Philippine Coast Guard vessels no longer subjected to water cannon by the China Coast Guard, and that resources like oil and gas at Recto Bank be extracted—can only materialize if China ceases its aggression. Suggesting that the Philippines should halt its defense of rights reveals a misunderstanding: we are not "fighting" in an offensive sense but steadfastly upholding sovereign rights against bullying. It is our fishermen who truly "fight" daily—not with arms, but by pursuing their livelihood in the WPS which is now endangered daily by China’s maritime forces. The good senator must remember: standing firm is not provocation; it is patriotism and it is our obligation for the next generation of Filipinos. By the way, Vietnam is not a founding member of ASEAN; it only joined in 1995.show more

All motherhood statements with no specifics—nothing more than just a propaganda. Let’s remind him that even the overly friendly approach of the previous admin did not result in anything, to the point that Duterte admitted of being inutile in asserting 🇵🇭 rights in the WPS. 👇

I would rip that Philippine flag off his chest and nail a Chinese one instead. 😡

Robin , resign!

We appreciate the explanation of Commodore Jay Tarriela. But we don't believe Sen. Robin Padilla ever understood the Commodore's posts. The problem with the likes of Robin is that, they only understand their narratives.

Boy Sili is Pro-China long before he is a Du-30 Supporter. He is indoctrinated by Joma Sison to Hate America and Love China.

Totally agree. This actor- turned senator, does not have any true Filipino patriotism. Maybe this loyalty is with other countries, besides his child even does not have Filipino passport to say the least.

Robin Padilla is a pussy that's why

Robin Padilla has no capacity to envision what is in the country’s good. His vested interest is to bring back the impunity of Duterte and the patronage to China, which conditions had benefitted him and his family. This kind of traitor and an insult to what the hard working and true nation loving Filipinos had been labouring for, must not be removed from the supposed highest chamber of wisdom and intelligence of the Philippines.

What do you expect from an ignorant China enabler who has 0 understanding of international law pertaining to the country’s EEZ. He is doing a great disservice to our people. He is a disgrace to the uniform he was allowed to wear.

It will always be the dumbest senators talaga🥲 Lols traydor si Robin Padilla

Kapag nagsasalita talaga tong si Robin napaka off at walang kwenta! The worst senator ever!

Saksakan ng katangahan talaga ni Robin Padilla! So pag sinabi ni China sa kanila ang Palawan ibibigay nlng natin? Pag sinabi ng China sa kanila ang Pilipinas magpapasok nlng tayo?

Sir Jay, tagalugin mo kaya baka hindi naiintindihan ni binoy🤣🤣🤣

Ganito na lang: kung may pumasok na ibang tao sa bakuran ng bahay niya at kinuha yung mga andun sa bakuran niya, hindi siya papalag dun?

ikaw dapat ang magising dahil kayong mga dds ang taksil sa bayan.

Kupal na senador.

That person should be stripped of rank in the military and face a court-martial for unbecoming an officer. There is a difference between going into a fight by choice and trying to defend what is rightfully yours by international law! We are not the ones picking a fight here!

It's all the fault of Rodrigo Duterte! Bcoz of his influence, he ram into the throat of every stupid Filipinos to vote another stupid ass.... to the Senate! And here's what we got! A truly undeserving, ignorant Duterte lackey.! He deserved to be censored!

@Sen. Robin. Mawalang galang po kung talagang makapilipino ka. Hindi ka pumapayag sa ginagawa ng Tsina sa mga Pilipino Mangingisda at sa mga pinapasukan nilang lugar na na nadeclarang economic zone ng Pilipinas at sa lugar na atin ayon sa batas ng umiiral sa karagatan o coastal.

Passive, not aggressive, resistance is the defense against bullying. If we stand our ground without giving an inch, the Chinese will take it as an iron wall, our will of resolute defiance, and maybe, just maybe, they will realize the futility of their actions.

Lipat ka na po sa China. Total mas pabor ka sa pang aabuso sa mga Pilipinong mangingisda, pananakot sa ating Coast guards, pagnanakaw sa yamang dagat ng ating teritoryo, at sa pang aalipusta sa ating soberanya.

May Philippine flag pa man din ang mokong.

Never mind that senator Sir, he clearly does not understand what is good for the country.

Lusaw naman utak nyan at umalohokan lang ng CCP. Uwi sya sa China para matauhan. Tinatanggalan na dapat ng pagka-Pilipino ang mga katulad niya, nila.

Omg… we won in th international court. We should assert our territory over China. Just remember our courageous men and women in the marines who dedicated their lives to watch our territory.

Eto yung namimilit pagsalitain ng wikang Filipino sa PGT. Paimbabaw lang naman pala patriotism.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei: Smart folks know this. Neighbors will have disagreements, but constantly arguing doesn’t solve anything. Tarriela thinks hyping maritime disputes doesn’t affect bilateral relations or trade? Just look at the numbers with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This drama doesn’t hurt his paycheck—but it shouldn’t rob ordinary Filipinos of opportunities to trade, grow, and build a better life. @jaytaryela

𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 '𝙆 𝙐 𝙋 𝘼 𝙇' 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙥𝙤 𝙩𝙪𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙥𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙮𝙖 𝙨𝙖 𝙡𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙞 𝙣𝙮𝙖 🤞🏾🤞🏻 👊🏾👊🏻💚💚

Gusto yata nito maging underdog tayo ng Tsina. At silang mga dds, mga under na bopol pa.

If someone is a puppy of DUTAEs like Sili, definitely that someone is a puppy of China as well!! Traitor indeed. 😏🙄🤪🤦👊🤣🤣😡🤬

Si Jay Tarriela, hindi atapang atao. Abomba water canon, atakbo! 🤣🤣🤣