Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an Executive Order officially mandating the use of local Philippine names for more than 100 geographical features within the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, a move that could impact maritime tensions.

An editorial from Rappler highlights the unwavering stance of Philippine senators regarding the Kalayaan Island Group, asserting that its status is not open for debate.

The verbal dispute between Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, stemming from remarks about the Kalayaan Island Group, has intensified into an exchange of formal letters.

MANILA, Philippines – Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disagreed over the real story behind the discovery of Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Tuesday. The interaction followed a few weeks after the two had a heated exchange during a Senate Commission on Appointments Committee on National Defense hearing when Marcoleta said “we can give