MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has expressed support for a move by the Municipality of Kalayaan to remove from the records of the Commission on Appointments (CA) the remarks of Rodante Marcoleta suggesting that the Philippines should “give up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) to China.

However, Lacson said a formal motion must first be filed and addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III in his capacity as CA chairman.

“A motion to strike off the records of the CA is needed. A letter addressed to CA Chairman Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the CA Defense Committee Chairman will serve as a strong basis for such a motion,” he said.

The Municipality of Kalayaan earlier sent Resolution 099-016 of 2026 to the Office of the Senate President, conveying its strong objection to Marcoleta’s remarks. The resolution expressed indignation over the suggestion that the Philippines “give up” the KIG and urged the CA to “expunge such defeatist sentiments from the congressional records to preserve the dignity and integrity of our municipality.”

In a previous interview, Lacson said leaving the remarks on official record could undermine the country’s position on the disputed island group.

“Definitely. Kasi nanggaling sa isang senador mismo at nandoon sa record mawe-weaken ang position natin maski papano di ba kasi nasa record. Mas maganda matanggal yan sa record ng CA (Definitely because that remark came from a senator and it may weaken our position. It is better if it is removed from the CA’s records),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio, when asked if he supports the move to expunge Marcoleta’s “give up Kalayaan” remark from the records.

“I’d like to believe hindi niya mine-mean exactly sinabi niya pero napakaliwanag sinabi niya, ‘give up’ natin para wala tayong problema. Ano ba interpretation nyo pag sinabing give up natin? Give up, ibigay na lang para walang gulo (I’d like to believe Marcoleta did not mean what he exactly said, but his ‘give up’ remarks are on the record. How else can we interpret his statements, other than to give up the Kalayaan Islands to avoid trouble with China),” he added.

During a CA committee hearing earlier this month, Lacson opposed Marcoleta’s suggestion by invoking the legal doctrine of “res nullius,” which recognizes ownership by discovery and occupation. He pointed out that Tomas Cloma, who discovered the Spratlys, later transferred ownership to the Philippine government. He also noted that Filipino families currently reside in the KIG, which is under the jurisdiction of Kalayaan town in Palawan.

Lacson said some House members of the CA later thanked him for responding to Marcoleta’s statement during the hearing, “para ma-clear the air (to clear the air).”