Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) needs to refine its publicity efforts regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), as well as on the Philippine-United States (US) Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, said it is important for Filipinos to be aware of the steps that are being taken to implement the 2016 ruling of the United Nations Arbitration Court on the WPS.

The ruling rejected China’s historical claim over most parts of the South China Sea and a awarded to the Philippines its West Philippine Sea claim.

Padilla noted the general public needs to be enlightened on the roles of the DFA as well as the details of the issues involving the 71-year-old MDT, the 24-year-old VFA and arbitral ruling.

"Patungkol sa WPS hangga’t hindi nakikita ng ating kababayan na nakapangisda ang kababayan natin doon, kahit tayo mag-tumbling, hindi nila maintindihan yan (On the ground, at the grassroots, our people won't understand the role of the DFA, the MDT and the arbitral ruling). On the WPS, the bottom line for them is to be able to freely fish there, no matter how we explain)," he said during the public hearing on the DFA's proposed P20.3-billion budget for 2023.

"Kailangan doon, muling makapangisda nang malaya ang ating mangingisda at kababayan natin sa Pagasa Island (The goal is for Filipinos to freely fish at Pagasa Island)," he added.

Also, Padilla noted Filipinos need to understand that the US needs to undergo a process before helping the Philippines if it is attacked.

He added many Filipinos have such an impression even for other issues such as the tension between China and Taiwan - where they believe the US would immediately come to our aid if the conflict there reaches Philippine shores.

"Kailangan may tamang pagbibigay ng impormasyon hindi lang sa kalagayan ng arbitral kundi pati rin sana sa MDT at VFA (We need to ensure the right information reaches our people not just on the arbitral ruling but also on the MDT and VFA). Kasi kung kayo sa ground sa lugar na marami ang ating kababayan, hindi nila naintindihan yan. Akala nila parang sa pelikula pag nagkagulo andiyan na Amerikano (Many of our people think that like in the movies, the Americans will immediately come to our aid)," he said.