Presidential candidates in Philippines weigh in on China dispute

In this picture taken on November 11, 2021, Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao gestures during an interview with AFP at his residence in Manila. Philippines presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao is also a boxing legend having won many international world titles. - AFP

MANILA, Dec 23 (Bloomberg): Four presidential aspirants in the Philippines had varying strategies to resolve disputes in the South China Sea including through building alliances with other nations and boosting military presence in the region, according to interviews with GMA News.

The candidates - Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno -- participated in interviews with GMA’s Jessica Soho which aired late Saturday. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who led last month’s presidential preference survey, declined to join.