PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 (Manila time), talked about various global issues during the United Nations (UN) general assembly held at its headquarters in New York, USA.
Duterte said that in the past two years, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has “upended” the lives of the people, climate crisis has worsened, inequalities have deepened and the geopolitical balance is in a state of dangerous influx.
He said these global problems badly affected the poor families.
Covid-19 vaccine
Duterte said poor countries, like the Philippines, suffered from scarcity on Covid-19 vaccines due to a “man-made drought.”
He said while rich nations talk about giving out booster shots, poor countries do not have a choice but to wait for “trickles.”
“And we believe that fairness, equality and respect should always be the basis of our engagement with one another. Only with these can we correct the injustices that doom the downtrodden all over the world to a life of indignity. And for thousands during this pandemic -- certain death,” said Duterte.
“This is shocking beyond belief and must be condemned for what it is -- a selfish act that can neither be justified rationally nor morally. The plain fact is -- this pandemic will not end unless the virus is defeated everywhere. Vaccines are key to achieving this,” he added.
As the Philippines’ contribution to the collective fight against Covid-19, Duterte highlighted the country’s donation of one million dollars to the Covax facility.
Covax facility is a global platform organized by Gavi Alliance, World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation for the negotiation Covid-19 vaccine prices and to ensure equitable access for participating countries.
Climate change
Duterte said just like the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on people, climate change has also exposed the varying vulnerabilities of countries globally unequally with those “least responsible” suffers.
To minimize the effects of climate change, Duterte said the Philippines has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 75 percent by 2030.
He said he also issued a moratorium on the construction of new coal power plants and a directive to explore the nuclear energy option.
“But this contribution will be rendered useless if the biggest polluters -- past and present -- choose to do ‘business as usual.’ We therefore appeal for urgent climate action, especially from those that can truly tip the balance,” said Duterte.
“Developed countries must fulfill their longstanding commitment to climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building in the developing world. This is a moral obligation that cannot be avoided. Our world’s transition to a green economy must not be at the expense of developing countries’ economic vitality. It simply cannot be -- or it would be another travesty of justice,” he added.
‘Kafala’ system
Duterte called for the “abolition” of the Kafala system, which allows exploitation and oppression of migrant workers.
The system is a common practice in Arab countries where issuance of employment visa rely on sponsorship of employers.
“Nothing can justify the continued existence of this unjust system. While reforms have been made, the kafala system must be dismantled -- sooner rather than later -- in the name of justice and basic decency,” said Duterte.
“The Philippines seeks stronger partnerships to protect the rights of Filipinos and realize the full potential of our nation. But let me be clear -- what we mean is partnership that respects our peoples’ agency,” he added.
Drug war
Duterte assured the UN that Philippine authorities are reviewing the implementation of his brainchild, the crackdown against illegal drugs.
He maintained that the law applies to all, which includes law enforcers who were accused numerous times of conducting extrajudicial killings in the guise of the drug war.
He assured that those who will be found acting beyond the bounds of their duties will be held accountable.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier allowed the conduct of a formal investigation on the alleged crimes of humanity being committed in the Philippines amid the government’s drug war, particularly from 2016 to March 2019, before Duterte withdrew the country’s membership from the Rome Statute.
The administration, however, maintained that it will not cooperate in the probe, noting that the country’s justice system is working.
Arbitral ruling
Contrary to his recent statement, Duterte said no country can disregard or diminish the five-year ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated China’s claim over the 90 percent of the South China Sea, which includes the smaller West Philippine Sea.
China ignored the said ruling.
"The award must be seen for what it is -- a benefit across the board to all who subscribe to the majesty of the law," he said.
"No amount of willful disregard by any country, however big and powerful, can diminish the arbitral award’s importance," he added.
He said the South China Sea needed to remain "a sea of peace, security and prosperity."
"We must resolve disputes peacefully," said Duterte.
"The 1982 Unclos and the 2016 arbitral award of the South China Sea provide a clear path towards a just, fair, and win-win solution for all,” he added.
UN Security council
As he ended his speech, Duterte urged the UN to reform its security council, expressing belief that it no longer upholds democracy and transparency.
“Democracy and transparency are concepts that reverberate in the halls of the UN. But ironically, the Security Council -- the pinnacle of the UN structure -- violates every tenet of these values. It is neither democratic nor transparent in its representation and processes,” he said.
“Many member states have spoken firmly and we agree: This simply is not right. If the UN is to lead the world out of the many crises we face, things need to change. The UN must empower itself, by reforming itself. Therein lies the hope for humanity,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)