Nelson Morales

Sen. Rodante Marcolaeta explains his vote during the senate deliberation on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, weighing constitutional precedents and procedural safeguards during Wednesday’s plenary session, August 6, 2025. Senate of the Philippines/ Screengrab

Article (news)

WATCH: Marcoleta denies weakening PH interests in WPS

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Sen. Rodante Marcoleta maintained he is not out to weaken the Philippine interests as he continued to spar with Sen. Francis Pangilinan over the proposed resolution to condemn the remarks of Chinese officials against their Filipino counterparts regarding the West Philippine Sea.Instead, Marcoleta insisted that he wants to point out what he called &quot;gaps&quot; in the country&#x27;s understanding and knowledge on the issue.Marcoleta and Pangilinan have been clashing over the exact coordinates of the part of the South China Sea under the Philippines&#x27; sovereign rights.&quot;Ang layunin ko po dito, Mr. President, ay hindi upang ipagtanggol ang ano mang banyagang interes, katulad ng China, kundi para patatagin at linawin ang ating paninindigan bilang isang bansa, upang kahit karaniwang mamamayan ay lubos na maintindihan ang sitwasyon, lalo na sa West Philippine Sea,&quot; said Marcoleta.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/3/marcoleta-pangilinan-clash-over-west-ph-sea-coordinates-1353">READ: Marcoleta, Pangilinan clash over West Philippine Sea coordinates</a></div>The senate is deliberating the proposed Senate Resolution No. 256 on the Chinese Embassy in Manila&#x27;s remarks against several public officials.Senate President Vicente Sotto III had previously suggested the possibility of declaring as persona non grata the Chinese diplomat who is responsible for attacks on Philippine officials -- including senators -- who have criticized China&#x27;s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.However, Malacañang said that declaring foreign diplomats in the country as persona non grata is only &quot;an option of last resort.&quot; -- report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/29/palace-persona-non-grata-tag-vs-chinese-officials-an-option-of-last-resort-1525">READ: ‘Persona non grata’ tag vs Chinese officials ‘an option of last resort’ -- Palace</a></div>

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta maintained he is not out to weaken the Philippine interests as he continued to spar with Sen. Francis Pangilinan over the proposed resolution to condemn the remarks of Chinese officials against their Filipino counterparts regarding the West Philippine Sea.

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta maintained he is not out to weaken the Philippine interests as he continued to spar with Sen. Francis Pangilinan over the proposed resolution to condemn the remarks of Chinese officials against their Filipino counterparts regarding the West Philippine Sea.