Team DailyPedia
Several Filipino senators have faced criticism from the online community for what many perceive as a “performative” act during the FIBA World Cup match between Gilas Pilipinas and China on September 2.
Senators Joel Villanueva, Migz Zubiri, Bato dela Rosa, and Bong Go were photographed wearing shirts with the slogan “West PH Sea” emblazoned on them as they cheered on Gilas, which secured a resounding 96-75 victory over China at the Araneta Coliseum.
Online users didn’t hold back in expressing their discontent, suggesting that the senators’ actions amounted to little more than wearing t-shirts and that they lacked substantive engagement with issues concerning the West Philippine Sea.
Wala ko kinalaman sa tshirt nila mga beh. pic.twitter.com/jH48Fqs8GC
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) September 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/kylehubo/status/1698256902810153109?s=20
https://twitter.com/godfatherJK5/status/1697993570899366222?s=20
— The Professional Heckler™️ (@hecklerforever8) September 3, 2023
The hypocrisy of some. https://t.co/7pJdZWDJfB
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) September 3, 2023
Variant ng tinawag noon ng isang National Artist bilang "nasyonalismong barong Tagalog." "Nasyonalismong hanggang t-shirt lang" ito. Senador sila pero hanggang ngawngaw lang at pa-tshirt2 lang. Ni hindi maitulak ang administrasyon na manindigan para sa soberenya ng bansa. https://t.co/uZFguYnRwB
— David Michael San Juan (@dmmsanjuan) September 2, 2023
This criticism seemed to stem from the perception that the senators had not been assertive enough in responding to China’s actions in the region, where Filipino fishermen have been subjected to harassment, and China has called for the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel stationed in the area.
One significant incident involved Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels harassing Philippine ships en route to the BRP Sierra Madre during a routine resupply mission on August 5, which included the use of water cannons.
Ito pa, dagdag https://t.co/3pkLBijEeT
— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) September 3, 2023
Paalala lang natin sa lahat yung nag benta sa atin. https://t.co/oKjgveK1B6
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) September 3, 2023
Condolence pic.twitter.com/pT3uLhDwld
— Boom Buencamino (@BoomBuencamino) September 2, 2023
Hala! Lagot ka kay tatay! https://t.co/60VV71Dkyn
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) September 2, 2023
Wait, Diba di BATO Ano ni TATAY “I love China” Digong???? https://t.co/jjhSS8ChvK
— Richard Heydarian (@Richeydarian) September 2, 2023
Nasaan ang tatlong itlog na ito noong binibenta tayo ni Rodrigo Duterte sa China? https://t.co/KHy58GDrxf
— JR Santiago (@oslecjunior) September 2, 2023
Senator Francis Tolentino came to the defense of his colleagues in response to the criticism, asserting that there was “nothing wrong” with wearing the “West PH Sea” shirts. He further emphasized that it was a means of expressing unity and personal political beliefs, even within the context of a sporting event.
