President Duterte delivers a public address on May 13, 2021 (Malacañang)
The President has expressed doubt the United Nations could be useful in addressing the territorial conflict, adding he might just end up getting ridiculed in the world body.
Duterte made the remarks after critics pressed him to take advantage of the landmark 2012 arbitral award to assert the country’s claims over the West Philippine Sea. The Hague-based arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines when it invalidated China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing however has refused to recognize the court decision.
“Itong hinihingi nila puro papel, puro papel, natapos na ang ICJ na binuo noong — nagbigay na ng desisyon, nanalo tayo. Ano pa bang papel gusto niyong papuntahin ako doon sa — ? Kailan pa ba naging useful ‘yang United Nations, kayo-kayo lang diyan? (What they’re asking for is just a piece a paper. The court issued a decision, we won. What paper do you want me to use? When has the United Nations been useful? It’s just them always),” Duterte said during the second part of his taped televised address aired on state television Friday.