Vice-presidential candidate Walden Bello was in fighting form against fellow candidates Senators Tito Sotto and Kiko Pangilinan in a debate organized by CNN Philippines.
Bello hit Sotto and Pangilinan over their running mate’s leaning towards an alliance with bigger nations to address the West Philippine Sea problem.
Bello said that Sotto would only allow the United States to enter the country to oppose China’s aggression.
“Papasok na lang daw ang MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty). Hindi maaari yan. We have to have an independent foreign policy,” he said.
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The former congressman also hit Pangilinan’s suggestion to join the Quad, a group composed of Australia, United States, Japan and India.
“That is consistent with the Aquino administration’s pro-US policy. You are just carrying that out again!” Bello told Pangilinan.
Both Pangilinan and Sotto denied Bello’s accusations.
“I did not say we should join the Quad. Listen to the tape. Let’s stick to the facts,” Pangilinan said.
“I never said invite. I did not use the word invite. I don’t know where he got that. There’s no one being invited here,” Sotto defended.
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Pangilinan added that the Philippines should stand up against China.
“Hindi tayo puwedeng sunud-sunuran sa China. Gusto natin makipagkaibigan sa China pero huwag naman dahil sa pagkakaibigan natin sa kanila eh igi-give up na natin ‘yung 500,000 square kilometers of sovereign and Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Pangilinan.
Sotto meantime lobbied for his bill creating maritime zones for the Philippines.
The maritime zones will define the internal waters, the archipelagic waters, the territorial waters, and economic zones of the country,” he explained.
