MANILA, May 8 -- Senator Robinhood Padilla has called on the private sector to provide Philippine Navy vessels better port access as part of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to strengthen national security.

In a privilege speech delivered Tuesday night at the Senate, Padilla expressed alarm over the significant delays that Navy vessels currently face before being allowed entry into ports, hindering their maintenance, refueling, and reprovisioning.

"Kadalasan po, umaabot po ito ng apat hanggang apatnapu't walong oras bago mabigyang pahintulot o espasyo sa mga daungan ang ating Philippine Navy. Depende rin po sa permisong ibibigay ng pribadong sektor kung gaano sila katagal maaaring manatili sa daungan (Usually, it take...