There are some natives of this country, the Philippines, who have decided that the Philippine Sabah claim is either too difficult or is not at all valid. I call those people, while undoubtedly and wholly patriotic, the disciples of Senator Lorenzo Sumulong, the senator who once berated the Philippine government over the Republic's Sabah claim.
To help the "doubting Thomases" or the "Senator Lorenzo Sumulong disciples" among us understand where we are coming from, allow me to re-post here the speech by the Father of the Philippine Sabah Claim, Senator Jovito Salonga rebutting the accusations made by Senator Lorenzo Sumulong in which the good Senator [Sumulong] berated "...the merit and validity of the Republic's claim, accusing his own Government of gross ignorance and holding in unbelievable disdain the Philippine position on the British-sponsored Malaysia plan. He has chosen to assault the Philippine position at a time when his own Government, by virtue of the British request, may be said to be somewhat helpless in making, right in our own country, an adequate, fully-documented defense of the Philippine stand. "
NB: The Admins of the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum (PSCF) as well as the administrators of the Defenders of the Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims recommend the reading of this beautiful speech not only for its wonderful use of the English language and logic but also because it tells us not to fold our arms in mortal fear!
The points raised by the illustrious Senator Salonga were relevant 50 years ago, they are still relevant today and will be relevant tomorrow. Enjoy!
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