"Philippines may soon be a Chinese province," said retired CJ Davide

Retired Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr. said on Thursday that the Philippines’ becoming a province of China “may not be too far.”
“Last February 19, before Chinese businessmen, the President mentioned the Philippines as a province of China,” Mr. Davide said. “Malacanang Spokesperson Harry (L.) Roque explained it was a joke, but knowing China, it will not consider it as a joke.”
To support his statement, Mr. Davide enumerated several events that indicated the Philippines and China relations is beyond partnership.
Among these was the government’s plan to conduct a 60-40 sharing of joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea. This was in addition to China’s deployment of missile systems on the Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reef. — Charmaine A. Tadalan