Conflicts arise as candidates discuss China-related issues

Story by Chazel Pastrana

Disputes on Philippine-Chinese loan agreements and relations saw senatorial candidates at opposing ends during the CNN Philippines senatorial debate at the Quadricentennial Pavilion at the University of Santo Tomas yesterday.

Former Magdalo Representative and Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Gary Alejano and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan faced off on the issue of loan agreements between Philippines and China, and concerns regarding the ‘Chinese debt-trap diplomacy.’

Otso Diretso bet Alejano, along with former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares and other Otso Diretso bets Florin Hilbay, Erin Tañada, Romy Macalintal, and Samira Gutoc were united in their concerns on the Philippines falling into the ‘debt-trap’ the way other countries did after failing to pay their debt to China. They also called for transparency on documents and meetings between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“The government said that the loan with China is a standard loan. I challenge the government to show us other loans with confidentiality agreements,” Colmenares said.

“There’s none, only China asks for this confidentiality. China said there’s no hidden agenda, then why is it confidential?” he added.

Makabayan senatorial bet Neri Colmenares responds to issues raised in CNN PH Senatorial Forum.

Former Philippine National Police Chief Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa questioned whether critics of the administration have asked for the documents mentioned by other candidates from Malacañang. However, he was not able to continue as other candidates promptly surrounded him, saying that they did ask for the documents.

Alunan added that saying the Philippines is falling into a debt trap is premature, as many of the things being talked about are still speculative in nature.

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Raffy Alunan joins the heated discussion in the CNN PH senatorial forum.

Opposite perspectives arose again as candidates addressed issues on the West Philippine Sea during the face-off round between Colmenares and reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito.

Colmenares, Alejano, Hilbay, Macalintal, and another Otso Diretso bet Chel Diokno criticized the administration for its lack of involvement in asserting Philippines’ claim over the territory.

“President Duterte did not only blink, he closed his eyes and fell asleep,” Colmenares said.

Dela Rosa, on the other hand, said that the Duterte administration should not be blamed for the situation in the West Philippine Sea since it has been existing even before Duterte became president.

“Whoever wants to come with me, I will give you guns and bullets. We will attack [the Chinese vessels],” Dela Rosa said.

While the candidates may have clashed over the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea and China’s debt-trap diplomacy, the candidates seemed to have finally come to a common ground when the question on job security of Filipinos was raised, given the influx of Chinese workers in the country.

They were one in their call to prioritize Filipinos in need of jobs, strengthen immigration policies of the country, and become stricter in giving tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The term used in the headline has been changed from 'rise' to 'arise' for accuracy. We apologize for this oversight.