Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, backs the statements of President Duterte in his first speech before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last Wednesday.

‘’The President’s speech was very comprehensive, projecting Philippine policies and concerns ranging from the West Pacific Sea claims, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, to the plight of migrants and migrant workers,’’ Gordon noted.

“I strongly support his statement on the South China issue, strongly affirming the constitutional provisions on having an independent foreign policy and adherence to the generally accepted principles of international law. The statements made by both President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping bode well for peace, stability, and progress not only in our region, but worldwide,” he said.

Duterte in the speech invoked the country’s arbitral victory in 2016 against China's massive claims in the South China Sea, adding that the Philippines rejected any attempt to undermine the July 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Xi told the UN that Beijing has “no intention to fight either a Cold War or a hot one with any country,” adding that they will continue to narrow differences and resolve disputes with others through dialogue and negotiation.

Gordon also lauded Duterte’s call for universal access to technologies and procedures in the fight against COVID-19.

“The President was right in saying that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the biggest test the world and the UN have faced since World War II because it knows no border, no nationality, and no race. Hence, there should be a worldwide coordinated effort to fight it,” he said.