Lacson criticized Panelo for supposedly speaking on behalf of the Chinese Embassy. | DJEsguerraINQ
But Panelo argued that, as President Rodrigo Duterte’s official mouthpiece, it was his duty “to be transparent to the media and ultimately the public in sharing information which is germane to a national issue or concern, in consideration of the latter’s constitutional right to information.”“If Senator Lacson is not concerned with the OFWs, the Office of the President is,” Panelo said.
He added that overseas Filipino workers in China “deserve to be apprised of their host country’s reaction to this issue as it concerns them.” Panelo stressed that Lacson, as a senator, represents not only Filipinos who live in the Philippines but also those who work abroad — “unless his statement is driven by the fact [that] the OFW votes in China will not move a needle for him if he plans to run in 2022.”
The outspoken senator has been accused of “posturing” for the 2022 elections, an allegation he had denied.This was not the first time the two engaged in a word war. Earlier, Lacson accused Panelo of lawyering for China after he allegedly questioned the account of Filipino fishermen of what happened at Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.
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