Lawmakers laud gov’t over sea row case vs China

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives on Wednesday backed the government's decision to challenge the territorial claims of China in the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casiño, Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, and members of the House minority bloc said they fully support the decision of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine government has decided to bring China to the Arbitral Tribunal under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"We must continuously assert our sovereignty and follow this through until China respects our right to these territories," Casiño said. "We just hope that this case is airtight."

Evardone, for his part, urged Filipinos to rally behind the move of the Philippine government.

"The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) should be allowed to hire top caliber lawyers and experts of international law to strengthen our position. But the most important thing is the support of all Filipinos here and around the world," he said.

In a press statement, the minority bloc led by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said they will side with the Aquino administration especially when it comes to the issues of sovereignty.

"As we have stated many times, we are a constructive Minority. When it comes to our sovereignty, we will always side with our President and his decisions," the House opposition bloc said. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)