Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is unclear how Senator Risa Hontiveros’ resolution to raise China’s harassment over the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations would reach its policy-making organ.
\”The senator [Hontiveros] is free to file whatever resolutions she wants but I do not know how that will translate into any action that will reach the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)…The United Nations entertains governments, not parts of government,\” the country’s chief diplomat told the media in Malaysia.
\”Generally speaking, foreign policy is not set by the legislature. Generally speaking, foreign policy is left up to the executive,\” he said.
Hontiveros’ resolution urges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), an executive department, to take the issue before the UNGA so the assembly would call on China to cease its harassment over Philippine waters.
READ: Hontiveros wants DFA to seek UNGA resolution to stop China’s harassment in WPS
She argued that while these were not legally binding, a UNGA resolution had significant political weight and would serve as an expression of the will and consensus of the international community.
In her measure, she said this had the \”potential to shape international norms, influence national policies, and provide guidance for the work of other UN organs, specialized agencies, and regional organizations.\”
Senate President Miguel Zubiri said the upper chamber was confident Hontiveros’ resolution would pass by next week.
\”As to whether we will retain the original wording, that remains to be seen. We will meet with the DFA, the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, and the NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency] to hear their concerns,\” he said Thursday.
According to Zubiri, senators had different ideas on how to approach the subject but were all united in the desire to condemn the harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea, and to enforce the 2016 ruling which nullified China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
“The ultimate aim is for the government to take concrete action before international fora and solicit multilateral cooperation, particularly with coastal states who share our interest in ensuring that the UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea] is respected. We want to introduce amendments to that effect,” he said.
During his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, Marcos remained silent on Chinese harassment over the West Philippine Sea.
