Aquino urged to handle ‘delicately’ Senate dispute over Shoal talks

Muntinlupa City Representative Rodolfo Biazon. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday urged President Benigno Aquino III to exercise great care in handling the “delicate” issue on Senator Antonio Trillanes’ disclosure that he was ordered to negotiate with China for the president.

“The president may have to handle this very delicately because what is now happening is not good for our national interest in the areas of dispute,” said Muntinlupa City Representative Rodolfo Biazon.

He was referring to the spat between Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who claimed he was negotiating with China on orders of Aquino.

Biazon, chairman of the House committee on national defense and safety, said that Aquino should support Del Rosario, officially designated “to shepherd our foreign policies.”

The lawmaker said that it was the Department of Foreign Affairs which determined the official line in the country’s negotiations on the disputed areas.

Trillanes’ revelations on Wednesday raised doubts over the country’s position in the dispute, with an irked Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile questioning the senator’s loyalty to the country and his interests.