PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revoked an alleged agreement made between the Philippines and China during the tenure of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Monday, Marcos disclosed that the purported agreement was brought to his attention last year, prompting him to hastily rescind it.
“When this matter surfaced several months ago, and it came to my attention that the Chinese were asserting the existence of a secret agreement, though I had no prior knowledge of it, I immediately decided to rescind it,” stated the President.
“So, I have indeed rescinded it, if indeed it does exist,” he added.
In response to queries regarding holding Duterte accountable for the alleged agreement, Marcos asserted that the government must first ascertain the agreement’s details. He stressed that he has already initiated discussions with some former officials about it but has yet to receive definitive answers.
Expressing frustration over the lack of clarity, he questioned the secrecy surrounding the supposed agreement and its contents, demanding transparency from the previous administration.
“These are straightforward inquiries, yet I am encountering significant challenges in obtaining answers. I’m hearing conflicting information, which leads me to wonder: What exactly is the nature of this agreement, and why was it concealed from the Filipino people?” he remarked.
Despite the uncertainty, Marcos clarified that he does not consider it a liability against Duterte at present, citing the absence of concrete evidence. “I fail to see how this could pose a legal liability. There is no substantiated proof of any agreement,” emphasized the chief executive.
The President further expressed his eagerness to examine the document firsthand. (Gilbert Perdez)
