Lacson pushes Senate dialogue with Chinese Embassy amid word war

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he is seeking to initiate a dialogue between the Senate and the Chinese Embassy after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan expressed readiness to meet Philippine leaders to ease the escalating word war.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Lacson said it was a “pleasant surprise” and a “breath of fresh air” that the Chinese ambassador told the Senate, “Let’s talk.”

Lacson considered that an open invitation for dialogue.

“Once I have another conversation with the Senate president, I will encourage him that maybe we could sit down with the Chinese embassy officials,” he told DWIZ radio in Filipino.

Amid an ongoing heated exchange of sentiments between Philippine lawmakers and Chinese embassy officials over the West Philippine Sea, Jing said earlier at a Chinese New Year celebration, “Let’s sit down. Let’s talk. Let’s find ways to manage differences.”

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Lacson called such remarks “a good opening” and said it would be better to “grab the opportunity” to talk, invite them to the Senate, or meet with them in any neutral area.

“It would be nice to sit down and discuss what needs to be talked about and to talk cordially. After all, we have diplomatic relations with China. We have a One-China Policy,” he added.

Lacson also said it would be better if Sen. Francis Pangilinan would join the dialogue, having authored Senate Resolution No. 256, which criticized China’s remarks against Philippine officials, alongside Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who had also been vocal on her stance during the exchange.

READ: 15 senators cross party lines, sign reso vs Chinese embassy remarks

“We might not be able to reach an agreement about the territory, but at least we can reach an understanding through discourse about how to handle it,” Lacson added. /atm