Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno has no doubt that Vice President Leni Robredo will implement policies and actions favorable to Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if she wins the presidency in next month’s elections.
Diokno, who is seeking a Senate seat under Robredo’s slate, gave this assurance as he called on the government to leave the planned WPS exploration to the next administration.
“Bagama’t kailangan nating magsagawa ng (Even if we have to conduct) oil exploration sa (in the) West Philippine Sea, mas mabuti kung ipauubaya na lang ng kasalukuyang gobyerno sa kapalit nito ang pagsasagawa ng nasabing pagkilos (it would be better if the present government leaves the action that it would take to its successor),” he said.
“Kapag manalo si VP Leni bilang pangulo, tiyak na maka-Pilipino ang magiging policy ng kanyang administrasyon. Makatitiyak tayo na titindig si VP Leni para sa karapatan nating lahat pagdating sa WPS (If VP Leni wins as president, for sure the policy of her administration is pro-Filipino. We will be certain VP Leni will stand up for all of our rights when it comes to the WPS),” he added.
Diokno made the remark after the Department of Energy (DOE) requested the Cabinet security, justice and peace coordinating cluster to approve oil exploration activities in the WPS.
The veteran lawyer has repeatedly said the next government should assert the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the WPS and its arbitral ruling victory by entering into multilateral agreements with neighboring states.
He made a suggestion that the Philippines could work together with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei to conduct joint patrols, protect the marine environment, and conserve endangered species.
READ: West PH Sea issues best tackled in multilateral talks, says Diokno
He cited the states concerned can also sign a convention that will guarantee all of the disputes will be resolved via arbitration.
According to the senatorial aspirant, such moves will put the Philippines on an equal footing when dealing with China.
If elected to the Senate, Diokno wants to establish access to free legal assistance in every barrio, like the Free Legal Helpdesk that he put up on his Facebook page, to provide ordinary citizens with immediate legal help.
“Isa lang ito sa ating mga gagawin para matulungan si VP Robredo kapag nanalo siya bilang pangulo sa Mayo (This is only one of the things I will do to help VP Robredo if she wins as president in May),” he said.