Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday acknowledged the Senate's recent heated debate over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a reflection of the Philippines' democratic processes but reiterated the administration's firm stance on defending the nation's maritime claims. 'Kung nagkaroon po man ng debate sa Senado, iyan po ay kanilang mandato - pag-usapan kung anong isyu - at iyan po ay parte ng pagiging democratic country (If there was indeed a debate in the Senate, that is their mandate - to discuss issues - and that is part of being a democratic country),' Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senators from the majority bloc recently introduced Senate Resolution No. 256, which reaffirms the Philippines' claim over the WPS and condemns aggressive actions by Chinese embassy representatives toward Philippine officials. The debate was instigated by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who questioned the 2016 United Nations Arbitral Tribunal ruling that favored the Philippines, arguing it lacked definitive coordinates or boundaries.
Castro emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to safeguarding Philippine interests in the WPS while continuing robust diplomatic engagement with other countries. 'Alam po natin ang posisyon ng Pangulo patungkol po sa West Philippine Sea, unang-una po ay dapat na ipaglaban, protektahan kung anuman ang interes na mayroon ang Pilipinas (We know the President's position regarding the West Philippine Sea: first and foremost, we must defend and protect whatever interests the Philippines has),' Castro remarked. 'At kung anuman po ang nagiging isyu sa ibang bansa, gagamit pa rin po tayo ng matatag, malakas ngunit may diplomasya na pakikipag-usap (And for any issue with other countries, we will continue to engage firmly and strongly, yet with diplomacy).'
Manila and Beijing have long been engaged in a maritime confrontation, with the Philippines accusing China of aggressive maneuvers, water cannon incidents, and interruptions of supply missions within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Beijing persists in asserting sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines' EEZ. The Philippines' position is grounded in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, which invalidated China's extensive claims.
