MikeLigalig.com

By Jelly F. Musico

Senator Manny Villar said on Tuesday that he supports the diplomatic approaches of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in resolving the Panatag Shoal dispute with China peacefully.

”I agree with you that at this point, we have to speak with one voice and there should be one position,” Villar said while discussing with DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario the agency's proposed P11.46 billion budget for 2013.

Villar, during the Senate hearing on DFA's proposed 2013 budget, asked Del Rosario about the support that the Philippines had been getting from its neighbors in the Southeast Asia regarding the disputed reef, which is situated 220 kilometers west from island of Luzon.

”May I ask sir if I can provide a full briefing on exactly where we are in terms of the challenges presented by the South China sea under an executive session. I think that it would be more appropriate sir and I would be able to share with you complete information in terms of how to assess the situation,” Del Rosario said.

Aware of the sensibility of the issue, Villar agreed for the DFA to answer his query in an executive session.

”You are correct that if it involves national security, I wouldn’t insist. I’m just concern. Of course, it’s a presidential prerogative, but the Senate being very much involved in foreign relation is also very concerned. I just want to see how far we can go on Scarborough shoal,” Villar said.

Villar said he personally supports the position of President Benigno S. Aquino III “although that is not yet clear with me.”

”But as President, I think, we should support him,” said Villar.

Despite the dispute, Del Rosario said the Philippines looked at China as friend, neighbor and trade partner.

”At the end of the day, we hope that a positive relation and a constructive engagement can be obtained in terms of our relations with that country,” the DFA official said.

Del Rosario said the DFA had undertaken three-track approach in pursuit of peaceful resolution in accordance with international laws, specifically UNCLOS or United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea.

”One is political approach where we are utilizing international partners like ASEAN. The second is legal approach. We are looking for how to pursue dispute settlement mechanism under UNCLOS and thirdly, trying to pursue strategy of one that is diplomatic that involves bilateral consultations,” Del Rosario said.

Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, supported the request of Del Rosario for an executive session.

”We concur with Secretary that indeed it is for our national interest that we have one voice here in so far that this dispute is concern. I’m glad that our colleague Senator Villar has concurred you with that,” Drilon said.

Villar said he had yet to decide when he would request for an executive session to discuss the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

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