The Duterte administration will never bring the Philippine government’s territorial victory against China over the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations General Assembly.

The simple reason is that China ‘’holds sway’’ in that international forum and that the Philippines won its case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration ‘’fair and square,’’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. told lawmakers during a public hearing by the committee on foreign affairs of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

 Locsin told the CA that China wants to re-litigate the case.

After the Philippines won in 2016 the territorial case, China rejected the arbitral ruling, insisting its historical claim over most parts of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.     

Locsin’s virtual appearance and opinion was sought by the CA committee chaired by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson when it questioned the fitness of Jose Eduardo Enciso Malaya III to become the Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Malaya’s appointment was later confirmed by the CA.

The UN Arbitral Court ruling issue arose during the CA proceedings when Senator Francis Tolentino asked whether Malaya might want to visit the UN court since it is just a walking distance from the Philippine Embassy at the Hague.

Locsin’s opinion was also sought by Lacson if Malaya could enforce Philippine laws such as arrest warrants against communist leader Jose Maria Sison should he (Sison) enter the embassy, a Philippine territory.

Locsin said only those seeking to improve their careers would want the Philippine maritime case against China brought to the UN General Assembly.

The DFA chief also said that the US and some European countries have petitioned the UN court to implement positively its arbitral ruling.

Malaya said he is aware of such petitions.

Locsin stated that some European countries did not support the Philippines when it brought its case against China because it saw China as a wealthy nation.

He said he had expressed surprise at the ‘’sudden, unexpected belated recognition’’ by some European nations of the Philippine victory.

Locsin said these recognitions meant that he should say ‘’thank you’’ to them but he did not because to do so would mean that ruling depended on the support of these countries. 

He stressed that the Philippine victory has become a part of international law, that the Philippines  won it ‘’fair and square’’ and ‘’I don’t give a damn."

But he was happy that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lauded the Philippine victory because it meant the US is extending its military power in the South China Sea.

Locsin recalled the position of President Duterte that the Republic would never compromise its victory in the South China Sea issue.

He advised Malaya to control his emotions by staying away from the UN Arbitral Court.