Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday invoked a Daoist passage by Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou to dismiss allegations raised against him by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta during a privilege speech.
Marcoleta, without naming Lacson, criticized the alleged use of video editing to “maliciously distort the truth” regarding Lacson’s controversial remarks about the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.
Lacson responded on social media, saying he initially chose not to reply but later quoted a line from Zhuangzi:
“It means, ‘You cannot explain ice to a summer insect.’”
The passage, from one of Daoism’s foundational texts, highlights the futility of explaining complex ideas to someone whose perspective is too limited.
Lacson had earlier denied Marcoleta’s claim that he posted a “spliced” video of his comments at a Commission on Appointments hearing, which allegedly made it appear as though he suggested giving up the Kalayaan Island Group because it is not within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
His remarks drew criticism from colleagues and the public, with some interpreting them as supportive of China in the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Marcoleta maintained that Lacson’s comments were “taken out of context” and requested their deletion from official records.