The Philippine may no longer take back its vote in favor of a United Nations-led inquiry into the alleged rights abuses during the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Duterte was opposed to the country's vote, which was supposedly made without consulting him, but such ballot could no longer be withdrawn. As a result, concerned senior government officials have been reminded about consulting the President before making any crucial vote on issues and concerns in the international fora.
"If the question is did the President disagree with the votes, yes he did. Can it be taken back? Apparently not," Roque said during a televised press conference Thursday, June 17.
"But the President has made sure that there will be hence be a mechanism and procedure as far as voting in crucial issues where the views of the chief architect of foreign relations should at least be consulted," he added.
The President earlier voiced concern about the "ruckus" arising from the country's vote backing the UN rights probe on Gaza violence, revealing that he was not consulted on the matter.
The Philippines is among the 24 states that voted in favor of the creation of a committee that will probe the alleged war crimes during the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel later summoned the country's envoy and complained about the way the Philippines voted in favor of the inquiry.
READ: PH vote on Gaza probe made without consulting home gov't — Duterte
Duterte, in his remarks during the ceremonial signing of new laws at the Palace Wednesday, said the country's vote on the UN probe on the Gaza conflict was done without consulting the home government, and suggested a possible withdrawal of such ballot.
“Ayusin muna natin ito. Ano ba ‘yung boto natin sa UN na pina-withdraw ni...? ‘Yung sa Israel (Let’s fix this first. What was our vote at the UN that wanted to be withdrawn by.. About Israel?)” Duterte told Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. “Sabi ko na i-withdraw. Sabi ni...Sino ba may alam diyan? (I said withdraw it. Who knows about this?)” Duterte added.
Duterte's comments about the country's vote came before heading to the farewell call of the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz at the Palace Wednesday.
In the virtual press briefing Thursday, Roque elaborated on the President's stance on the issue and the importance of consultation to ensure the protection of the country's interests.
"This is a vote where the President has expressed his concerns on the mechanism and procedure that led to our votes in the UN Human Rights Council. Of course, this is on a resolution called for inquiry into the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory," he said.
"Appropriate guidance has been given to relevant senior officials in government to ensure that Philippine interests are protected and upheld in multilateral fora," he added.
Despite the recent incident, Roque added the Philippines would sustain its close relations with Israel.
"The Philippines value and will continue to maintain excellent relations with Israel and indeed with all partners in the international community in the pursuit of common goals and objectives grounded on shared values and interest," he said.