MANILA — Panfilo M. Lacson said Filipinos must prioritize loyalty to the Philippines over any foreign country as he criticized what he described as actions by a fellow lawmaker that appeared to favor foreign interests.

In an interview on DZRH radio, the Senate President Pro Tempore stressed that national interest should come first.

“We should love the Philippines more than any country. Regardless of what is at stake, we are Filipinos. We must look after the Philippines’ interests, not those of other countries,” Lacson said.

Lacson took aim at Rodante Marcoleta, citing his criticism of the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The senator said that even as a non-permanent member, the Philippines would gain greater diplomatic influence and opportunities to promote national and regional interests.

“Definitely less than China’s gains in having a permanent seat but a non-permanent seat will give the Philippines greater diplomatic influence and opportunity to advance national and regional interests, ability to sponsor resolutions, not to mention international prestige,” Lacson said in a post on X earlier this week.

“You will have a degree of diplomatic influence. That is important to us,” he added.

Lacson also criticized Marcoleta’s questioning of Philippine officials regarding the map of the West Philippine Sea produced by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

He noted that two laws — the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act — signed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2024 had already asserted the country’s territorial rights over its maritime zones, including the West Philippine Sea.

Lacson cited a recent incident during a confirmation hearing of the Commission on Appointments defense committee where he said Marcoleta questioned a military officer about the West Philippine Sea.

According to Lacson, Jinggoy Estrada had to point out during the hearing that the issue falls more under the jurisdiction of the Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“He tries to find a military general who agrees with his views. What can a military officer seeking confirmation before the CA do under scrutiny when he can invoke Section 20 to block his confirmation? So who is his audience, China?” Lacson said.

Lacson also said Marcoleta had sought to question the country’s official maritime map in a Senate hearing, which Senate foreign relations committee chair Erwin Tulfo reported to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

In a privilege speech earlier this week, Lacson added that several of Marcoleta’s claims about the West Philippine Sea, including the discovery and occupation of the Spratly Islands by Tomas Cloma, were similar to arguments posted on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This question is not personal, but for the country. Who are you trying to protect? What does China have that you are acting so consistently in this way?” Lacson said, addressing Marcoleta.