By Al S. Mendoza

 

WAS Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri lying?

Or was Huang Xilian, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, trying to save face?

Zubiri grabbed news headlines this week when he said that China had blacklisted the Philippines as a destination for Chinese tourists.

Almost immediately, Huang disputed Zubiri’s statement, describing the Senate President’s revelation as “misinformation.”

The ambassador got a quick rebuttal from Zubiri, who repeated his earlier declaration quoting Huang as saying that China had blacklisted the Philippines as a tourist destination due to the government’s initial decision to allow the continued operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) in the country.

Gambling is banned in China.

Said Zubiri: “It was regrettable that the Chinese Embassy in Manila had dismissed as misinformation Huang’s remarks.”

Commendable that Zubiri had stood pat on his position, making him so deserving of his role as the country’s third-highest ranking official.

A push-over he is not.

The Chinese ambassador was simply out of line. His action was tantamount to accusing Zubiri a liar.  Such gall.

In Tuesday’s Senate hearing on the Pogos, Zubiri said that Huang had informed him and two of his fellow senators—Sherwin Gatchalian and Robinhood Padilla—that Beijing had barred Chinese tourists from traveling here, citing the spate of kidnappings and other crimes related to the Chinese-run Pogo gambling platforms.

That same day, the Chinese Embassy denied Zubiri’s pronouncement, a position that was quickly rebuked by the Senate President.

“We stand by our statement,” Zubiri said.  “We have a transcript of what has transpired [during the meeting].”

The Chinese envoy must have goofed that he made a 360-degree turnaround to save face?

Or, maybe, he received a terrible scolding from his bosses in Beijing—the Philippines being a top tourist choice among Chinese travelers for the longest time?

No new word from the Chinese Embassy as we went to press.

“We’re not dreaming,” said Zubiri.  “What I said was the truth.  We have many witnesses who heard our conversation.”

Zubiri insisted it was not him who mentioned the word “blacklist” when Huang gave the Senate President a courtesy call at his Senate office on Monday.

“The Philippines was now part of a blacklist of tourist sites because they do not know if the [Chinese nationals] going here will be joining Pogo operations,” said Zubiri, quoting Huang.

Zubiri said if there was a mix-up, blame it on Huang.

“The fault lies with the ambassador,” said Zubiri.  “Maybe his statement was in the ‘future tense,’ that we could be possibly blacklisted.  Maybe we were just ‘lost in translation?’”

Will Zubiri apologize for the confusion?

“Why will I apologize?” he said.  “I stand by what I said. I’m just the bearer of the message.”

Will he require Huang to apologize?

“No need,” Zubiri said.  “It’s OK.”

The Filipino has been that forgiving since time immemorial.

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