Senator Rodante Marcoleta is pushing to rewrite key portions of the Commission on Appointments’ February 4 hearing minutes, insisting they misrepresent his remarks on the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
He requested that pages 7 to 8, covering his exchange with Philippine Navy Captain Jess B. Pilar, be replaced with a more detailed account he says accurately reflects his statements.
Marcoleta stressed that accurate committee minutes are part of the CA’s official and enduring legislative record, calling it a right and responsibility of members to ensure statements are faithfully recorded.
The move follows Resolution 099-016 of 2026 from the Municipality of Kalayaan, which condemned Marcoleta’s earlier suggestion to “give up” the KIG due to its location outside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Marcoleta later clarified that he did not intend to propose relinquishing territory but was highlighting the legal and technical complexities of maritime zones.
“Ako kailanman hindi ko sinabi, I'm trying to remove the KIG from the territory of this country. Not even a suggestion. Alam po ninyo, I was misquoted several times.”
In his proposed revisions, Marcoleta detailed concerns over public messaging and diplomatic escalation, questioned statements by Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela that offended the Chinese Embassy, and emphasized technical distinctions between the West Philippine Sea and the EEZ.
He also noted delays in submitting an official Philippine maritime map and cited regional examples of joint resource management.
Action on Kalayaan’s resolution was deferred to allow the CA time to review Marcoleta’s proposed amendments, as it prioritized the confirmation of 81 Armed Forces officers. Marcoleta said the changes are meant to ensure the minutes faithfully reflect the record, not to alter the substance of the proceedings.
“These proposed amendments are not intended to alter the substance of the proceedings, but merely to ensure that the minutes of the committee hearing faithfully and accurately reflect what was actually stated on record,” Marcoleta said.
