Ahlyzza Dhnise Madrazo

With China's ongoing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) seeked to file a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), according to Nueva Ecija’s 2nd District Representative Joseph Gilbert Viologo. 

Photo Courtesy of DFA/INQUIRER.net.

This statement was confirmed during the plenary deliberation at the House of Representatives together with his proposal of a P27.392-billion budget of  DFA and its linked agencies for 2025.

Faced by a question from OFW party-list representative Marissa Magsino, Violago stated that DFA intends to file for a resolution with UNGA about the Philippines’ territorial claim on the West Philippine Sea.

He pointed out that the Philippines has strengthened its stance on the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea at every opportunity in international forums, including the 2016 arbitral award.

The decision to file a resolution would require careful consideration and must be subject to necessity and prudence.

“The recommendation to file a particular resolution with the United Nations General Assembly would have to be subject to necessity and prudence. The Department appreciates the recommendation and continues to study its implication,” he said.

He stated how DFA believes that UNGA is the venue for human development issues, not the venue for political debates.

"The DFA maintains the view that the United Nations General Assembly is the venue for decisions on human development issues that concern the conditions faced by humanity as a whole. The United Nations General Assembly is not the venue for political debates where anything short of consensus decision from the assembly, such as one that would require a vote with an uncertain majority, would be a success only if the parameters for success are redrawn," he said.

The role of DFA is to address China regarding the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo will represent the Philippines at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the issue. 

The Philippine government filed a lawsuit against China in The Hague before an international arbitration tribunal in 2013.

In July 2016, they dismissed China's nine-dash claim to the South China Sea, ruling in favor of the Philippines. 

China continues to assault government planes and Philippine Coast Guard ships that patrol the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).