Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

GALIT

Kevin Alabaso

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Two congressmen clashed on Monday&#x27;s House session after one accused the other of &quot;protecting China&quot; in his privilege speech.In his privilege speech, House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan called for discipline and professionalism from government officials when addressing sensitive foreign policies, including the West Philippine Sea.Libanan did not mention Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela&#x27;s name in his privilege speech but later confirmed that he was indeed referring to him.After Libanan&#x27;s privilege speech, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez accused him of defending China after all the reported aggressions it has done to PCG vessels and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.&quot;I am insulted that a member of this Congress will stand up in favor of China. Jay Tarriela is doing his job as spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard! The very reason why [Tarriela] has to move and act is because China has been violating the sovereign rights of the Filipino people for so many years,&quot; Rodriguez said.&quot;At this point, I cannot understand why we are protecting China who has been the cause of all this aggression... I&#x27;d like to ask again [the]Minority Leader if our PCG spokesman has violated the Code of Conduct of public officials. Because I would like you to read each one of what you have cited and I will show that he has complied with all the laws of our country in his heart and mind,&quot; Rodriguez added.Libanan answered by saying that even though the country is receiving these aggressions from China, government officials should deal with it professionally.&quot;I am not defending China as I said in my speech. What I am saying is that we have to act with professionalism, discipline, and manage our international relations properly,&quot; Libanan said.He also said that his privilege speech aims to know if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) authorize Tarriela in speaking out for the country.Rodriguez defended Tarriela again, saying he is speaking out for the country since the PCG is also one of those directly affected by the aggression.&quot;The agency affected by this is the PCG because they protect all our coast and seas... [To the DFA], are you saying that Jay Tarriela did the wrong thing by coming out and protecting our country? Let us hear from the DFA. Because if they do that, they don&#x27;t deserve to sit in the DFA,&quot; Rodriguez said.&quot;I hope the minority leader recants his speech. Because if not, then he has therefore failed in his duty and his oath to this Congress, the representatives of the people. That we have to therefore agree with China&#x27;s complaint -- the complaint of that ambassador,&quot; Rodriguez continued.<div> </div><div>ETHICS PROBE ON LIBANAN</div>Aside from rejecting Libanan&#x27;s privilege speech, Rodriguez also threatened to file an ethics probe against him for allegedly siding with China.&quot;I hope the minority leader withdraws his statement. Otherwise, I will be the one to make sure that there will be an ethics probe on this. A congressman taking up the [side] of our aggressor in the West Philippine Sea,&quot; Rodriguez said.&quot;Definitely, I&#x27;m going to file an ethics charge because he has failed in his duty to protect and defend the Constitution of the Philippines Article 1 -- its National Territory. So I now call, please withdraw that because otherwise there will be a charge [and] I&#x27;m going to file [a complaint] in his presence now,&quot; Rodriguez added.Libanan, on the other hand, rejected Rodriguez&#x27;s call to withdraw his speech.The session was later suspended while the two were still engaged in the heated exchange. With reports from Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News

Two congressmen clashed on Monday's House session after one accused the other of "protecting China" in his privilege speech.

Two congressmen clashed on Monday's House session after one accused the other of "protecting China" in his privilege speech.

'A congressman in favor of China?!': 2 lawmakers clash over 'defending China'

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'A congressman in favor of China?!': 2 lawmakers clash over 'defending China'

Kevin Alabaso,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 03, 2026 02:13 AM PHT

Read More:

Rufus Rodriguez

Congress

Marcelino Libanan

House of Representatives

Jay Tarriela

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