IBP urges dialogue instead of debate on West Philippine Sea
Published May 7, 2021 6:29pm The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Friday urged stakeholders to come up with a unified approach to protect the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview on Balitanghali, IBP President Domingo Cayosa said government officials and other interested parties should “quietly talk behind the scenes” instead of highlighting their differences in a public debate. “We believe it’s better to hold a dialogue rather than a public debate, which is just a clash of personalities,” he said. “Instead of debating and promoting division, they should talk, exchange information and perspectives as well as help each other to come up with a unified approach.”
Published May 7, 2021 7:58pm The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said it will uphold President Rodrigo Duterte s statement asserting the Philippines arbitral victory against China on the South China Sea disputes before the United Nations in 2020, days after the Philippine leader belittled the ruling. For the first time since the Philippines won its case against China in 2016, Duterte declared before the UN General Assembly in September last year that the ruling is beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon.” Duterte, who has cultivated good relations with Beijing in exchange for Chinese aid and investments, previously shelved the arbitration ruling and has been criticized for his friendly overtures to China despite its aggressive actions and efforts to drive away Filipinos from its own waters in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte-Carpio debate: Timeline of the word war between two high-ranking lawyers
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This composite photo shows President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on May 5, 2021 and former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. (Presidential photo/Simeon Celi; Philstar.com, file) );
Rodrigo Duterte and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate
Justice Antonio Carpio about the
West Philippine Sea row will no longer push through.
In a statement on May 7, Carpio said that the challenge for a debate is “pointless” and a “useless exercise” to begin with, citing no factual disputes to be talked about.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (File photo/Malacañang)
Roque said he was prepared to debate not only with former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio but also former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on the issues surrounding the territorial conflict.
President Duterte earlier backed out of the debate challenge he made to Carpio for a number of reasons, including having doubts it would benefit the nation and invoking executive privilege on matters affecting government policies. Roque will instead take the place of the President in the debate.
“Kung gusto po ninyo two versus one, kayong dalawa po ni Justice Carpio at kayo po Secretary Albert Del Rosario didebatehin ko po kayong dalawa, pero dapat kaparehong oras, bagama’t dalawa po kayong magdidebate okay lang po sa akin iyan (If you want two versus one, I will debate with both Justice Carpio and Secretary Albert del Rosario but we must have equal time. It’s okay with me if I debate with the two),” Roque sai
President Rodrigo Duterte (File photo/Manila Bulletin)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque gave three reasons for the President’s decision to withdraw from the debate challenge against Carpio, including such activity would not benefit the nation.
Any pronouncement of the President in the debate might also affect existing government policies on the West Philippine Sea, according to Roque.
The debate with Carpio, however, may still continue after the President designated Roque to face the former magistrate instead.
“Handang-handa sana ang Presidente na dumibate pero kagabi po tinanggap nia ang advice ng ilang miyembro ng Gabinete kasama si Executive Secretary (Salvador)Medialdea. sinabi ng Gabinete at sinusugan ito ng dalawang Senador si Senate President (Vicente) Sotto at Senator (Aquilino) Pimentel (III) na unang-una na walang mabuting magiging resulta ang debate para sa sambayanang Pilipino (The President was prepared to debate but last night he accepted the advice of some Ca