lllt REp lt0iltltEE
tt0 T0 BRtTO UP PH ARBITTAT WlI
By Leila B, Saleverria
@LeilasINQ
The Philippine nominee as per_
manent representativq
to the
United Nations said he was will-
ing to bring to the international
body the counky's permanent
Cout of Arbitration (CA) victory
against Beijing's sweeping
clarms over tie South China Sea-
Speaking before the Com-
mission on Appointments.
lawyer Rodolfo Robles, howev-
er, acknowledged that srich a
ultu.
move would not necessarilv
produce swift results given
howUN processes work.
"This arbitral award is verv
much in our favor, and I believe
there would be nothing wrong
in bringing it to the United Na_
tions," Robles told mernbers of
the panel on Wednesday.
"l'm not averse to bringing
rt over to the United Nations
even though it will take a lons
time rodo it," he added.
Former Foreign Secretary
Albert Del Rosario earlier sug-
\ ,o4q€ -A,un
gested seeking the United Na-
tions' help to enforce the deci-
sion ofthe arbitral tribunal, but
Foreign Secretary Teodoro
Locsin Jr. said the philippines
was bound to lose in the United
Nations because it was popu_
lated bJ
-counrries behotden to
China.
Malacanang also reiected
the idea.
Responding to a question
from Occidentat Mindoro
Rep.
Josephine Ramirez-Sato who
asked for the administration's
clear-cut policy on the arbitral
ruling, Robles said he looked ar
it from two aspectsi validity
and enforcement.
"I believe the present ad-
ministration maintains , and
continues to maintain the va-
lidity of this arbitral award,,,
Robles said, adding that when
it comes .to implementation,
the government had been .,very
cautious."
The CA foreign affairs com-
miftee will take up Robles'nom_
ination anew nextweek. Ne