Senator Francis Tolentino says the Philippines must maintain the moral high ground against China when it comes to the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Tolentino stated this in a television interview on Wednesday, Dec. 20 on ANC when he was asked what could be done differently to address growing tensions in the WPS.

"In terms of going toe-to-toe right now we have the moral high ground, we are being perceived not just as being bullied but we are being perceived as a State doing what is right. So we have to maintain that moral high ground," he said.

Based on his observation, Tolentino said that China has been consistent in its aggressive behavior, and that this was really contrary to the norms of international law and as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He says China needs to behave properly.

At any rate, he says that what the country is doing right now is correct in terms of engaging the general public and the international community as well, which he considers public diplomacy.

In relation to forging alliances, he says that the projected Reciprocal Access Qgreement (RAA) with Japan is a step in the right direction and that he looks forward to the RAA being approved and ratified by the Senate.

He also believes that the RAA should include sites different from the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that the country already has with the United States (US).

"Admittedly, we do not have the necessary wherewithal, we do not have enough resources, we do not have the ships, we do not have the necessary sensor sonar equipment. So the projected RAA with Japan would supply that gap not to mention the assistance that can be given to our fisherfolk and the joint patrols which I previously heard," Tolentino said.

"So all of this would be highlighted in an RAA with Japan which is closer, geographically, than our other allies, I am referring right now the United States, Australia, the UK. So Japan is closer and Japan admittedly shares the same values with that of the Philippines in term of observing rules-based international order," he added.

He believes that it would really be a big plus in terms of shared interest in regional and global peace and stability in the region.

Some senators have also expressed interest in the RAA after the speech of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, before a special joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senatpr Jinggoy Estrada stated that the RAA with the Japanese government can significantly enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities through military cooperation and training, equipment and technology transfer, and other defense assets that the government may not be financially capable of acquiring.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri says they are pushing for the RAA between Japan and the Philippines, which is equivalent to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

He said that this will pave the way for interoperability, cross cross-training of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard with the Japanese Navy and Coast Guard.

"Kami naman po sa Senado handang talakayin itong RAA kasi kami po ang magraratify niyan, and nakakuha na po ako ng majority (We in the Senate are prepared to discuss the RAA since we'll be the one to ratify this and I have attained a majority)," he said.

"We need more than 16 votes I believe we have more than that to ratify the RAA in the Senate," he added.