Tolentino quits PDP party
SENATOR Francis N. Tolentino has quit the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), citing differences in foreign policy including the sea dispute with China.
“The party’s inclination on bilateral dialogue concerning these matters, while having merit, may not fully align with the principles established by the 2016 Hague ruling and might weaken our position in the international arena,” he said in a letter to the PDP President Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Monday.
China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.
A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided China’s claim over the waterway for being illegal. Beijing has ignored the ruling.
Mr. Tolentino said Manila should boost ties with its global partners instead of relying on bilateral dialogue.
“Given this fundamental divergence, I feel it is necessary for both myself and the party to take this step,” he said. “This will allow for a more cohesive and unified approach within the party on this critical issue.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez