Lacson backs move to delete from the record Marcoleta’s suggestion that PH yield Kalayaan Islands
SENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson backed a move by the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan to expunge from the records of the Commission on Appointments the remarks of Senator Rodante Marcoleta suggesting that the Philippines “give up” the Kalayaan Island Group.
Lacson, however, said a formal motion must first be filed and addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III in his capacity as chairman of the Commission on Appointments.
“A motion to strike off the records of the CA is needed. A letter addressed to CA Chairman Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the CA Defense Committee Chairman will serve as a strong basis for such a motion,” he said.
The Municipality of Kalayaan sent Resolution No. 099-016, series of 2026, to the Office of the Senate President this week, expressing indignation and protesting Marcoleta’s remarks.
The resolution also petitioned the CA to “expunge such defeatist sentiments from the congressional records to preserve the dignity and integrity of our municipality.”
In an earlier interview, Lacson said the Philippines’ position on the Kalayaan Island Group could be weakened if the remarks remain on record.
“Definitely. Kasi nanggaling sa isang senador mismo at nandoon sa record mawe-weaken ang position natin maski papano di ba kasi nasa record. Mas maganda matanggal yan sa record ng CA,” he said in an interview on DZBB radio when asked if he supports the move.
“I’d like to believe hindi niya mine-mean exactly sinabi niya pero napakaliwanag sinabi niya, ‘give up’ natin para wala tayong problema. Ano ba interpretation nyo pag sinabing give up natin? Give up, ibigay na lang para walang gulo,” he added.
During a CA committee hearing earlier this month, Lacson responded to Marcoleta’s suggestion by citing the legal principle of “res nullius,” which supports the Philippines’ ownership of the Kalayaan Island Group.
Under “res nullius,” whoever discovers and occupies land is recognized as its owner. Lacson noted that Tomas Cloma, who discovered the Spratlys, later turned over ownership to the Philippine government, and that Filipino families currently reside in the Kalayaan Island Group, a municipality of Palawan.
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