The Philippine Senator vehemently criticized President Duterte after he announced only "jokes" on the promise of protecting the East Sea sovereignty 2016.

"I think the position of the president is a serious thing. If the word joke into it, people may not distinguish it as a junk, what is the official spokesman," said Philippines Panfilo Lacson

The criticism given after Duterte yesterday admitted that his spokes on "Protecting sovereignty" of his 2016 was "a simple joke when moving to run", and calls people who believe it

President Philippines Rodrigo Duterte spoke on television evening 5/5.

Speaking in a campaign for 5 years ago, Duterte had announced that he would drive the Philippines National Water Motor to Scarborough on the South China Sea, after receiving the question from a fisherman about sovereignty.

Lacson Senator notes that Duterte's claims will also affect other government agencies, and do "slightly decrease" the strong messages of government officials in the East Sea issue.

"The strong statements about the foreign minister's policy and defense minister are dismissed by what the president said later," Lacson said.

The acknowledgment of President Duterte's "jokes" makes Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned his "toughness" in relation to China.

Hontiveros said the East Sea issue was not a joke, and noted the Filipino's Armed, Navy and Police forces, with the Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic resources on the duty in the area to help bring livelihoods

In another statement, Senator Leila de Lima said that Duterte's spokesman proved, "he really did not plan to claim sovereignty in the South China Sea".

Former Judge The Supreme Court of the Philippines Antonio Carpio called for Duterte to withdraw the statements related to the South China Sea and China, including speeches "Chinese fishermen can catch in the privileged area of the economic

"If the President does not withdraw that public spokesman, he knows that they can bind the Philippines government both in the present and future," Carpio said.