By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, July 12 (PNA) – Senators have welcomed the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favour of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
”I welcome the final and binding ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which puts clarity to the claims of both the Philippines and China in the West Philippines Sea,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a press statement.
Drilon said the Philippines has stated that it will comply with the ruling and expects China, as a party to the United Nation Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), to also comply.
”I call on other nations to respect the ruling and help maintain the rule of law. We hope that the decision puts to rest any tension, mend strained relations, and restore goodwill among countries in the region. ASEAN and China can now move forward to finalize the Code of Conduct to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Drilon said.
The Senate leader said the Philippines will study the ruling and its ramifications, and plan its next steps, “bearing in mind the utmost need for peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and the maintenance of friendly relations among nations.”
With the recent decision, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Filipino fishermen can now fish without fear in theWest Philippine Sea.
”During the ensuing bilateral talks, we should ensure two things: that the corals and the maritime ecology in the South China Sea are not destroyed, and that Filipino fishermen are able to exercise their livelihood sustainably and to fish in their traditional fishing grounds without fear, and in solidarity with fishers of other nations,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said China should not lose face, seeing the ruling as way to start the stalled China-Philippines diplomatic relations.
”Together with having a new administration, the ruling allows both parties to come to the negotiating table with fresh perspectives,” Pangilinan said.
”I suggest we remind China of the centuries’ old people-to-people interactions between our nations, and of the similar historical indignities we faced as colonies of foreign powers. Of the latter, we can tell them that their occupation of the reefs in the West Philippine Sea resonates to that past,” he added.
Neophyte Senator Joel Villanueva described the decision as landmark ruling of the world’s oldest international arbitration tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands.
“I am elated at the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Beijing’s claims to parts of the West Philippine Sea. I applaud the Philippine government’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes with our neighbours by invoking the Tribunal’s jurisdiction. This is a victory not only for the Philippines but more importantly for the Rule of Law,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva expressed optimism that China will soon recognize the ruling as it will have a lasting implication on the global trade given that the West Philippine Sea is one of the busiest trade routes in the world.
“I call on China to respect the Tribunal’s decision and for both parties to work together for our mutual benefit as all neighbours must,” Villanueva said.
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV congratulated the Philippine delegation that worked hard to contest China’s nine-dash line claims on the WPS.
Aquino, cousin of former President Benigno Aquino III, was referring to former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Supreme Court Justices Antonio Carpio and Francis Jardeleza, and former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario.
”This decision provides the best chance for the Philippines to have a favorable outcome in any future multilateral or bilateral talks. This is our “alas” (ace),” Aquino said.
Former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima said the ruling affirmed the Philippines’ right to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and would limit China’s expansion plans in the WPS.
”With this ruling, it is hoped that the present administration will be properly guided in its future actions, especially in its declared bias for bilateral talks which has only proven to be always one-sided in favor of the world power at the other end of the table,” De Lima said.
De Lima said the ruling also give the Philippines the international legal basis under the UNCLOS to challenge China’s further reclamation in the disputed area.
”Together with our western allies like the United States, Japan, and the international community in general, we should utilize this ruling to the utmost in defense of our sovereignty, EEZ entitlements and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.
Senator Vicente Sotto III said the important thing now is for China to honor and recognize the ruling.
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said efforts to settle issues will still be very important given the nature of international law.
The Philippines has been questioning China’s nine-dash line claim which encompasses areas within its exclusive economic zone.
