President Duterte was just "taken out of context" when he likened the Philippines' landmark victory in the 2016 Hague ruling to trash and repeatedly said that China is already "in possession" of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was according to his ally, Senator Francis Tolentino, who attributed to "the way the President speaks" his statements about the Philippines' territorial dispute with China.
Recently, Duterte dismissed the arbitral ruling which invalidated China's sweeping claim over the South China Sea as a mere scrap of paper that he could just "throw in a waste basket".
"It was taken out of context -- what he meant was that decisions emanating from international courts are not automatically binding and enforceable , under international law, without the consent of the other party," Tolentino said in a statement sent to reporters Monday night, May 10.
"A very frustrating situation indeed," he added.
"Ganyan lang magsalita 'yon (It's just the way he speaks)!" Tolentino said.
The lawmaker said Duterte was only referring to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, "but not the entire WPS".
"Nambu-bully lang China (China is just bullying us) and bullying is not a recognized mode of acquisition!" he pointed out.
Tolentino also negated former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, who said Duterte's statements on WPS is an impeachable offense, for his "betrayal of public trust, betrayal of national interest".
" waste of time to talk about impeachment -- let's focus on COVID-19 today and !" he said.
Duterte, in several speeches, claimed that the Philippines "is not in possession" of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In his televised address last April 20, the President conceded that "nothing will happen" if the country would counter the patrols of Chinese military vessels in the WPS, "because we are not in possession of the sea".
Duterte also said that WPS issues "remain a question forever, until such time that, you know, we can take it back".
During his July 23, 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA), he also said: "I cannot go there even to bring the Coast Guard to drive them away. China also claims the property and he is in possession."
"‘Yan ang problema (That is the problem). Sila ‘yong (They are) in possession and claiming all the resources there as an owner," Duterte continued.
Duterte, who frowned upon disrespectful remarks against his "friend" China, instead blamed the previous administration for the Chinese incursions in the WPS.