Ex-gov’t officials who led Philippines’ win in tribunal praise Duterte

September 23, 2020

Former senior government officials who led the Philippines' arbitral tribunal victory against China in 2016 on Wednesday praised President Rodrigo Duterte for raising the ruling before the United Nations.

Albert Del Rosario, the former foreign secretary, and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio commended Duterte's "strong stand," saying such move "demonstrates he is not at all impervious but listens to the will of his countrymen."

"By invoking the Arbitral Award, the President has acted more faithfully to our Constitution, which mandates him and our military to secure our country’s sovereignty and protect our lands and seas," said Del Rosario. "We deeply thank you, Mr. President, for defending what is ours."

Carpio said it is "heartening" that Duterte acknowledged “the increasing number of states that have come in support of the award" several days after Germany, France and Britain backed the ruling that invalidated China's big South China Sea claim.

For the first time since the Philippines won its case against China, Duterte, who has cultivated friendly ties with Beijing in exchange for Chinese aid and investments, declared before the UN General Assembly that the ruling is "beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon.”

Duterte has been criticized for his friendly overtures to China despite its aggressive actions and efforts to drive away Filipinos from its own waters in the West Philippine Sea.

However, Duterte said he would raise it at a proper time.

Del Rosario said the next step is for Duterte and his administration is "to put in reality the invocation of the Arbitral Award."

"Our government should work earnestly to get the support of more countries so that the Arbitral Award will be raised more emphatically next year, for the UN General Assembly 2021," Del Rosario said. DMS