Aquino urged to make vital decision over Sabah standoff
-A A +AMonday, March 4, 2013
SOME senatorial candidates have called on President Benigno Aquino III on Monday to make a decisive decision on the escalating tension in Sabah, Malaysia.
While lamenting the Sabah incident and condoled with the families of the fatalities, Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate Edgardo “Sonny” Angara asked the people to leave the “Sabah decision” to President Aquino.
Angara did not discount the possibility that some candidates in the May 13 elections might use the incident to discredit the President, citing the success of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement also rests on the peaceful resolution of the issue.
“Events are still unfolding as we speak. It is clear that the President has the national interest in mind with every decision he takes,” Angara said, adding that an international law approach should be employed to protect any claims the country might have.
But in a live television address late Monday afternoon, Aquino was quick to lash back at his critics, saying that the Sabah incident should not be used in any parties’ campaign slant.
“Kung wala kayong maitutulong at hindi kasali sa usapan, tumahimik na lang kayo,” Aquino said.
Aquino said he has already sent Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to talk to the Malaysian government on a peaceful resolution of the Sabah standoff.
But Angara said during elections, stands on issues may be dictated by the party’s stand.
He said it is always good to have a long-term perspective, keeping in mind that the Sabah question dates back many decades and will not be resolved overnight or even during these political intramurals leading up to the May elections.
Another LP bet, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, is hoping that there will be a third party -- either foreign or local -- who can intervene as the situation in Sabah escalates.
“Kasi palala nang palala na ang sitwasyon sa Sabah kaya kailangan na ng third party na mamamagitan dahil kawawa ang mga Filipino na nandoon,” Cayetano told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Monday.
Cayetano was in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday and conducted consultation with the vendors at the Cogon Public Market regarding the prices of basic commodities and their everyday income.
He then proceeded to the Calaanan relocation site and graced a dialogue-consultation with Tropical Storm Sendong survivors with regards to their present situation and livelihood.
United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate, Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay, meanwhile, criticized President Aquino for his presence in campaign sorties of his senatorial candidates while the Sabah standoff has been escalating.
“May standoff na, ino-una pa ang pangangampanya. What is his priority?” Magsaysay told reporters during a press conference over the weekend. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 05, 2013.
Local news
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