For 3rd time, Lee fails to get CA nod

“(It’s about) the rule of the sea concerning the water.” – Domingo Lee, facing the Commssion on Appointments yesterday, in answer to a question on the objections of China on UNCLOS.

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) deferred for the third time yesterday the confirmation of President Aquino’s nominee for ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

Domingo Lee again failed to convince Sen. Sergio Osmeña III that he is qualified for the post. 

In yesterday’s CA hearing, Osmeña asked Lee about the current approach of the Philippines and other claimants, including China, on the disputed Spratly Islands.

“Regarding the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea, the only solution is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is also called the constitution of the sea,” Lee said.

Osmeña then asked Lee if he was aware of the exceptions cited by China when it signed the UNCLOS.

Lee had a hard time explaining this and just stated that it had something to do with the inclusion of the word “proximity” in the UNCLOS.

When asked to provide specifics about the objection of China, Lee said that it was about “the rule of the sea concerning the water.”

“Mr. Ambassador, you are guessing. China had an exception, are you familiar with those sections? Maybe you better do your homework again,” Osmeña said.