Vice President Sara Duterte joins the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally at Quirino Grandstand on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool/file

MANILA — Lawmakers on Monday asked why Vice President Sara Duterte has been "silent" on Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, saying she should speak up on the matter.

• VP Sara Duterte stays mum on West Philippine Sea

“Her silence is deafening... For the longest time na naging bise presidente siya hanggag ngayon, may narinig na po ba kayo na pahayag laban sa China? Ang sagot po wala... So ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?" House Assistant Majority Leader and AKO BICOL Rep. Raul "Jil" Bongalon said.

“Nakakabingi yung katahimikan... Dapat Pilipinas ang kampihan at sana Pilipino ang kampihan nila,” said House Assistant Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega. 

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Duterte’s silence will define what kind of leader she is.

"That would definitely spell out and define the kind of leader that she is because we are looking at our leaders, especially those who have been given too much responsibility and duty, yung mga highest official ng ating bansa, makita ang kanilang pagiging patriotismo," he said.

The three lawmakers joined President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in condemning the latest incident involving Chinese planes firing flares against a Philippine aircraft over Scarborough Shoal, saying Filipinos should be united in speaking out against Chinese aggression.

• Philippines to file diplomatic protest over China’s flare dropping

Meanwhile, the lawmakers said there is no talk in the House about impeaching Duterte.

“Wala naman po kaming naririnig ano but it would not be a surprise if somebody would file an impeachment case against the vice president," Bongalon said.

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