Settling int’l disputes
FILIPINOS doff their hat to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. for urging world leaders to settle international disputes and differences through peaceful means.
In a speech during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, President Marcos called for “rules-based international order” to settle disputes.
No less than House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said he has “never been prouder” to be a Filipino after listening to his first cousin’s well-applauded speech in New York City.
Romualdez said Marcos’ participation in the UN confab was a symbolic act that would play a significant role in advancing peace and stability in the world, notably in Southeast Asia.
“It was a great experience to see and hear our President spell out, in clear terms, what we as a people expect from the parliament of nations,” according to the House Speaker.
Marcos said the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes” provide useful guidelines for our time.
Adopted by UNGA in 1982, the landmark UNCLOS lays down a comprehensive legal framework governing all activities and uses of the world’s seas and oceans.
The Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, on the other hand, is an instrument designed to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
It will be recalled that on July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s claim of supposed historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea.
As expected, China refused to honor the arbitral ruling, which favored the Philippines, drawing jeers from various sectors of Philippines society, particularly fishermen.
Pagkatapos ng talumpati ni Pangulong Marcos sa UN General Assembly sa New York City, talagang nakaka-proud maging isang Pilipino kagaya ng sinabi Speaker Romualdez.
