Flag of China (Unsplash)

House Deputy Majority Leader Mandaluyong City lone Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II finds zero bearing in China’s opposition to the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act. 

“This is our country, this is what we need, and we are going to do it for our country and not for China,” Gonzales said in a press conference Wednesday, March 6. 

Gonzales, chairman of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), was asked in the presser about his response to China’s objection to the crucial local maritime legislation. 

The proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which aims to define the country’s archipelagic boundaries, internal waters, and exclusive economic zones, was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2023. The Senate version was approved only last Feb. 26. 

China has vehemently opposed the bill, alleging that it infringes upon its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, which it has a blanket claim over. 

But Gonzales said the Philippines will pursue its own agenda, irrespective of China’s stance. 

“Hindi naman sila boboto rito (They're not the ones who will vote vote on this). I’m just joking, but ‘yun ang kailangan natin eh (that's what we need). So regardless of their position, bakit naman (why would) we will be influenced by their position on what we need and what we should do?” he asked. 

The House leader also criticized regional power China’s preference for bilateral talks with smaller countries like the Philippines. Instead, he advocated for a multilateral approach as a more equitable alternative. 

“Alam niyo naman in a diplomatic table, kung dalawa lang kayong nag-uusap, may pinag-uusapan kayo, ay isa lang naman ang rule dyan, kung sino ang may armas ‘yun ang mananalo. Kaya ayaw natin iyon eh, kaya ang gusto natin multilateral eh,” Gonzales explained. 

(In a diplomatic table setting, when only two are talking, there's only one rule--the one that has the weapons wins. That's why we don't like that, we prefer multilateral talks.)