Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, June 19 filed a resolution calling on the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to sponsor a resolution before the United Nations (UN) General Assembly calling on China to stop its harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).                                         Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB Photo)
Hontiveros said she filed Senate Resolution No. 659 in honor of the legacy of the late Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a staunch advocate of the country’s interests in the WPS. Biazon’s remains were transferred to the Senate this morning for his necrological services. “Former Sen. Biazon is known for his unwavering advocacy of the interests of the Philippines, especially in the WPS. In 2021, he called on government to make a clear stand on the disputed territories and urged the National Security Council to map out a united national position on the issue,” Hontiveros said in a statement. “His commitment to uphold the integrity of our territorial waters inspired this senate resolution,” she emphasized. Hontiveros said that as far back as 2016, through the landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), it has been established that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights over Philippine resources. It has also been proven that China breached its obligations under international law when it violated the country’s sovereign rights over the Philippine’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “This is a clear and unequivocal decision. The Hague Ruling will never be diminished by China’s antagonistic and perpetual non-compliance,” she said. While a UN General Assembly Resolution won’t be legally binding, Hontiveros said it still carries “significant political weight and serve as expressions of the will and consensus of the international community, with the potential to shape international norms, influence national policies, and provide guidance for the work of other UN organs, specialized agencies, and regional organizations.” “Despite the Hague Ruling, China continues to harass our navy, remain hostile to our fisherfolks, and put the fishing industry in the area under jeopardy. This is nothing but a constant rejection of the basic tenets of international law,” she said. “Beijing’s blunt refusal to accept her legal fate should have serious consequences. The UN General Assembly should be able to tell China to behave,” she reiterated. In her resolution, Hontiveros urged the Senate to heed retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s suggested that the Philippine government, through the DFA, bring the issue before the UN GA by sponsoring a resolution urging China to respect the PCA’s ruling in favor of the Philippines. “We must sponsor a resolution, submit it to the UN General Assembly that China must comply with the arbitral award of July 12, 2016. That will be put to a vote. I think we will will there,” she stressed.