‘Morale-boosting’: Despite flak senators defend West PH Sea shirts in Gilas vs. China World Cup match
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 3) — Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa defended the “West Philippine Sea” shirts they wore during the FIBA World Cup match between Gilas Pilipinas and China after receiving online backlash.
Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senators Joel Villanueva, Bato dela Rosa, and Bong Go were seen proudly supporting Gilas Pilipinas at courtside wearing their patriotic shirts in last Saturday’s game at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senators Joel Villanueva, Dela Rosa, Go were seen proudly supporting Gilas Pilipinas at courtside wearing their patriotic shirts in last Saturday’s game at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Go and Dela Rosa, both known supporters of the Duterte administration, said they chose to wear the shirts to push for a “morale-boosting win for every Filipino” and to “awaken the patriotic spirit” of the national team.
“Nais lang namin ipakita sa pamamagitan ng t-shirt na iyon ang aming pakikiisa at walang tigil na suporta sa ating koponan at sa buong sambayanang Pilipino,” Go said.
[Translation: We just want to show through that t-shirt our solidarity and unceasing support to our team and the entire Filipino people.]
RELATED: PH senators brush off China's 10-dash line map
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino saw nothing wrong with the shirts and cited the right to freedom of expression.
“All of us have the right to freedom of expression. One of way of showing their unity. Hindi ito first time nakita…Walang masama doon sa pagpapakita ng kanilang beliefs na atin ang West Philippine Sea, even in FIBA,” he said.
[Translation: All of us have the right to freedom of expression. One way of showing their unity. This was not the first time this was seen...There is nothing wrong with showing their beliefs that the West Philippine Sea is ours, even in FIBA.]
The WPS-inspired shirts, however, did not sit well with some Filipinos, as they called out the stunt as "unprofessional."
"I'm all for protesting and asserting our rights in the West Philippine Sea. However, I don't think that sports is the right venue. Those are Chinese athletes, not the Chinese Communist Party," a netizen said.
"As government officials, you are expected to act with utmost diplomacy and professionalism on international venues, especially sports," he added.
Another netizen raised concern that the Philippines may not be seen as "hospitable hosts," calling the gimmick "ineffective and trivial."
"While I understand the anger about China's activities in the West Philippine Sea, it's crucial to balance emotion with strategic thinking…’Wag lang puro puso, gamitan din ng utak!" the online fan said.
[Translation: Don't just be all heart, use your head also.]
Other tweets pointed out Villanueva and Dela Rosa's previous statements supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte's pro-China stance.
"The act of these three idiots does not shed light on the actual problem we're facing in the West PH Sea. It is not a political statement. They are well-known dogs of the past admin and balimbing. Seeing them act like this? They actually deserve to be egged at some point," a tweet said.
"We need actions, not publicity," another said.
In a message sent to reporters, Villanueva congratulated the team for its first and only win in its FIBA World Cup campaign.
"Our Gilas fought well, like each and every one of them knows the story of Ayungin, Recto Bank, Pag-asa Island, etc. So proud of them! Everyone contributed! We saw a different Gilas Team, there's fire in their eyes!" he said.
