00:00 The senators will hold a meeting on Monday regarding the resolution that they are requesting the government to convene in the United Nations General Assembly
00:10 to discuss in the West Philippine Sea.
00:12 This is after the issues that have been brought up in the debate did not succeed.
00:18 Daniel Manalasta is in the center of the news live.
00:21 [News clip]
00:48 A few days ago, the Senate was discussing a resolution to convene the government to convene in the United Nations General Assembly
00:56 the China's interference in the territory of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea,
01:00 which is just a part of the debate of the senators.
01:02 The different views in the politics of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Risa Honteveros,
01:09 both of whom proposed the resolution, but Senator Alan Peter Cayetano blocked it.
01:14 Cayetano's argument is that it should be discussed at the committee level.
01:20 Yes, the Senate has its own thoughts, but the Constitution itself says that the President should have discretion and jurisprudence to prove it.
01:31 Should we let people starve to death before we move?
01:39 This is an issue that transcends politics and partisanship.
01:45 And indeed, several of you, my dear colleagues, have already spoken out against the Chinese government's flagrant disregard for the norms and conventions of international law.
01:58 According to Senate President Zubiri, we should not allow any country to step on and claim any territory of the Philippines.
02:07 And if the resolution is successful and it is brought to the UNGA, it will seek stronger international support.
02:16 It's hard to talk to a country that is not sincere.
02:20 You started with your speech by saying that, it was a phrase from the Bible,
02:28 "Fortunately, our friends in China do not believe in God."
02:31 They do not believe in God. We believe in God, we are afraid of God.
02:39 It's hard to talk to a country that is not afraid of God or Allah because they do not believe in God.
02:47 Aside from Zubiri, Senator Bato de la Rosa also stepped down.
02:50 There was also a change of heart that China is planning to do.
02:53 Others supported the resolution.
02:56 They said that China is planning to tow away the DRP Sierra Madre away from the Ionian Shore.
03:08 We are like... we are like... we are like... we are like a cockroach that is being trampled by these people.
03:18 It is even more infuriating that our military personnel are experiencing unlawful aggression by these people.
03:28 We should not let this happen.
03:31 What is in the Philippines is in the Philippines.
03:34 Because the senators who are supporting the resolution did not succeed,
03:38 Zubiri announced that they will hold a caucus on Monday
03:42 and will call on the military, DFA and other parties that have affiliations in the West Philippine Sea.
03:49 Actually, Senator Ayme Marcos just finished a press conference
03:54 and her advice is to be careful.
03:58 She said she does not want to contradict her fellow senators
04:01 but there are also some points that the senator laid out.
04:05 Here is her statement.
04:06 Furthermore, I also worry that we may not generate the votes necessary.
04:15 It is a big shame if we lose in the General Assembly.
04:18 Are we sure that we will win there?
04:20 Maybe in ASEAN, the vote is not enough.
04:23 The crowning update will be from the Senate. Angelique.
04:27 All right. Thank you very much Daniel Manalastas.
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