MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has once again questioned his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, regarding his supposed “gentleman’s agreement” with China.
According to the Chief Executive, he had three questions regarding Duterte’s supposed agreement — is there such an agreement, what was contained in it, and why was it made secret.
“The first question that I have is clear so now, we need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? Ano ‘yung pinamigay ninyo?” President Marcos said in an interview in Washington, DC.
“Bakit nagagalit sa atin ang mga kaibigan natin sa China dahil hindi kami sumusunod? Ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin? Ano ‘yung laman nu’ng secret agreement na ‘yan?” he added.
The “gentleman’s agreement” was first revealed by Duterte’s former spokesperson Harry Roque, but its existence was denied by Salvador Panelo, the chief presidential legal counsel of the previous administration.
Former President Duterte, for his part, he conceded nothing to China during his administration, but he adverted to a “status quo” in which neither the Philippines nor China would make any move to disrupt the South China Sea, including the transport of construction materials to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The so-called “gentleman’s agreement” was acknowledged by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday, saying that it has “effectively helped maintain the overall peace and stability” in the Ayungin Shoal.
Meanwhile, President Marcos defended former President Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, regarding her supposed silence on the issues regarding the West Philippine Sea and China’s aggression.
“It’s not the Vice President’s place… That’s not the role of the Vice President or the Secretary of Education to talk about China, so I think we are all in line,” President Marcos said.
“I’m very sure that if Inday Sara had some very serious misgivings about what we are doing in terms of foreign policies, she will bring them to me. And ang pinag-usapan nga namin, sabi niya ‘Basta ako, trabaho ng trabaho.’ That’s a good policy, so I don’t think it’s something to be concerned with,” he added.
President Marcos’ remarks come as Duterte-Carpio declined to comment on several instances when asked for a reaction regarding Beijing’s continued aggression in the area./PN
