Duterte to disclose stand on sea ruling in SONA

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte is set to make an official statement on the country’s stand on the arbitration ruling against China in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow, a Malacañang official revealed yesterday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Duterte had a meeting with security officials and government agencies and took their inputs on the implications of the ruling over the country’s maritime claims.

Duterte is also set to meet with members of the National Security Council, including former presidents Fidel Ramos, Gloria Arroyo, Joseph Estrada and Benigno Aquino III.

The President has asked Ramos to lead a team to talk with China following the arbitral court’s ruling.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague came out with the ruling last July 12 rejecting China’s claim in the West Philippine Sea but Duterte has yet to make a statement on the country’s official stand on the issue.

Duterte had issued instructions not to “taunt or flaunt” the verdict in favor of the Philippines but he allowed Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. to make a statement, which sectors said should have been stronger.

Duterte then expressed support for Yasay’s move to reject Beijing’s offer to talk outside of the ruling.

China reportedly asked the Philippines to open itself to bilateral negotiations but it should be outside of the landmark PCA decision.

China refused to acknowledge the Hague ruling, calling it a “farce.”

Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged Duterte to spell out the country’s plan following the tribunal ruling against China.

“As a Filipino, I trust that President Duterte will be guided by the historic Hague ruling to assert the country’s sovereignty and marine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea and in advancing genuine peace and stability in the region,” Hontiveros said.

“Our historic win before the Arbitral Tribunal must be strengthened by the new government. To deviate from the spirit of this ruling would render the victory hollow and our sovereignty compromised,” she added.

Other concerns

Hontiveros added she wants to hear what the President has planned for improving the country’s health care system and a reaffirmation of his adherence to due process and the rule of law.

Hontiveros aired her hopes that the administration would be able to provide universal healthcare to all Filipinos, which she said is a step towards eradicating inequality.

Hontiveros reminded the President about his oath to adhere to due process and the rule of law during his inauguration.

“The spike in the number of extrajudicial killings and random murders on our streets is disquieting. A climate of fear and uncertainty has descended on many families and communities. Not a few women have been killed and not a few mothers have shed tears over the loss of a son or daughter unjustly killed in the fight against crime and illegal drugs,” Hontiveros said.

“The killings on the streets must stop. The perpetrators, whether they be vigilantes, lawless elements or corrupt and overzealous law enforcers, must all be made accountable,” she said.

Hontiveros said Duterte, through his first SONA, must send a strong message that it is not the policy of his government to sacrifice human rights and the rule of law in its anti-crime campaign.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Duterte should lay out his vision for the country during his SONA and show all Filipinos that he is not all about going after drug pushers.

Trillanes, a known critic of the President, said the SONA should provide a roadmap of programs to actualize whatever vision the President has for the country.

“This would prove that he’s more than a one-trick pony whose only expertise is a barbaric anti-illegal drug purge,” Trillanes said.

“He should also do away with the stop this or that statements because they don’t really say much,” he added.

For his part, Sen. Richard Gordon said the President in his SONA should provide the specifics to the policies he has laid out in his first few weeks in office.

Some members of the clergy also spelled out what they wanted to hear from the President in his SONA.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said he wanted to hear from the President his plans on the Abu Sayyaf problem or how he intends to “finish” the bandit group once and for all. – With Marvin Sy, Evelyn Macairan