If elected, presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said she will be open to a joint venture with China in the West Philippine Sea only if the latter recognizes the 2016 arbitral ruling.

"I will be open to that only if the step one: recognition of the arbitral ruling first," Robredo said during an economic forum on Friday, Jan. 21, when asked if she will be open to any joint oil and gas exploration arrangement with China in the West Philippine Sea if she wins the presidency.

"Any agreement with China especially in so far as the West Philippine Sea is concerned, must first be premised on China’s recognition of the arbitral ruling. If we are to enter in any joint venture or joint exploration activity with China, dapat ang unang requirement natin (our first requirement should be) that China recognizes our arbitral win," Robredo stressed.

The Vice President emphasized that the country's foreign policy will always put the interest of the country and its people first.

She said her administration, if elected, will have to address challenges "always with courage and honor and we should be unrestrained by fear and be free from the influence of any political power."

"Any leader must have that courage to stand up for the dignity of our nation," Robredo said.

"Having said that, we will make sure that our relationship with China or any other country for that matter, will always be based on mutual trust and respect and recognition of the international laws," she added, stressing that "a good neighbor and a real friend is really fair and follows international law."

Meanwhile, at the “Kumustahan with Leni” virtual meeting with her supporters from Palawan, also on Friday, Robredo said she would push for the formal code of conduct in the South China Sea, “crafted and created” by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to protect the interests not only of the Philippines, but also its neighbors in the region.

Robredo gave an assurance that she will not be a President who will compromise or enter negotiations that will be detrimental to the Philippines.

Robredo said that with the arbitral tribunal’s ruling, the Philippines can lead in the “building of coalition of nations.”

The opposition leader added that she would pursue strengthening traditional defense alliances with nations such as the Philippines’ oldest ally, the United States, as well as with emerging security partners like Japan, South Korea, and Australia, matching these security ties with robust economic engagements.

She also emphasized the importance of investing in the modernization and capacity-building of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to protect the West Philippine Sea.