China

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The inquiry into the alleged “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Duterte and China on the West Philippine Sea is a “priority” of the House of Representatives, according to Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/3/senate-probe-sought-into-treasonous-duterte-china-gentleman-s-agreement-1046">READ: Senate probe sought into &#x27;treasonous&#x27; Duterte-China &#x27;gentleman&#x27;s agreement&#x27;</a> </div><p>“We will see kung anong committee ito, but definitely it’s going to be a priority,” he told the media in a press conference on Tuesday. </p><p>House leaders want relevant government officials, who served during the term of former President Duterte, to be invited to the hearings. </p><p>House Committee on the West Philippine Sea Vice Chairperson and Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said incumbent officials of the Department of National Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council should also be invited.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/2/china-using-gentleman-s-pact-to-deflect-illegal-activities-in-wps-teodoro-1141">READ: China using &#x27;gentleman&#x27;s pact&#x27; to deflect illegal activities in WPS: Teodoro</a> </div><p>“Whoever is the chair, should invite the different heads of agency during that time so that they can give us a glimpse. For example, I’d like to hear what Secretary Gibo has to say about his experience of these gentleman’s agreements and also I’d like to hear what Secretary Lorenzana has to say,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;I’d like to hear what Secretary Esperon has to say and Secretary Año which is National Security, DFA also. So that the Filipino people through our House of Representatives can get a gauge on who is telling the truth in regard to these gentlemen&#x27;s agreement,” he added. </p><p>Dimaporo does not think former President Duterte needs to be invited to determine the truth regarding the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” with China, but said the decision is up to the Committee. </p><p>“As far as inviting the former President you know, I think that&#x27;s up to the Chairman. But we also have our protocol when it comes to treating our leaders and former leaders with respect,” he noted. </p><p>Former Palace spokesman Harry Roque had revealed that his former principal, Rodrigo Duterte, and Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to keep the &quot;status quo&quot; in the Ayungin Shoal, where the aging BRP Sierra Madre is located. </p><p>Roque explained that the &quot;gentleman’s agreement&quot; was Duterte’s way to fix the icy relations between the Philippines and China under the Aquino administration. </p><p>China has been repeatedly citing the alleged deal to put the blame on the Philippines over the worsening tension in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDcCe_GIqeU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>House leaders want relevant government officials, who served during the term of former President Duterte, to be invited to the hearings. </p>

House leaders want relevant government officials, who served during the term of former President Duterte, to be invited to the hearings.

House probe on Duterte-Xi 'gentleman’s agreement' a priority: lawmaker | ABS-CBN

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House probe on Duterte-Xi 'gentleman’s agreement' a priority: lawmaker

House probe on Duterte-Xi 'gentleman’s agreement' a priority: lawmaker

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 30, 2024 07:15 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

lawmakers

inquiry

gentleman’s agreement

ANC

China

Rodrigo Duterte

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