House deputy majority leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin urged former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez April 1 to focus on contributing to solutions amid the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), rather than calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Alvarez, currently representing the first district of Davao del Norte province in Congress, previously suggested that Marcos should resign, supposedly to ease tensions in the WPS.
This proposition was viewed by House leaders as a “thinly veiled attempt to expedite Vice President Sara Duterte’s ascent to the presidency, capitalizing on their shared pro-China stance,” a press release from the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.
Garin questioned the rationale behind Alvarez’s call for Marcos’ resignation, noting the existing processes, such as the power of Filipinos to remove officials through elections or impeachment.
She emphasized that calling for resignation might not be the best solution, particularly without identifying specific shortcomings.
Garin said in a press conference that resolving complex issues, such as the WPS, cannot be achieved overnight by a single president.
However, she expressed optimism about the progress made and underscored the significance of the Marcos administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s territory.
“What is important is that we are seeing concrete steps. The leadership of our country will not yield even an inch of our territory. ‘Yung passion, determination and commitment na ‘yan, that is what is important,” Garin said.
She also emphasized the long-standing nature of the WPS issue, citing its significance, not only for the Philippines and China, but also for several other countries.
Garin said the conflict also involves Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, and Malaysia, all staking claims in the region. ||
