Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has sounded a cautionary note on President Rodrigo Duterte’s unilateral declaration to set aside the Philippines’ arbitral victory over China. According to Carpio, such an action would tie the country’s hands and limit its options in resolving maritime disputes with Beijing.
Carpio’s warning comes as Duterte prepares to issue a proclamation that could potentially undermine the country’s claim to the disputed South China Sea territory. The Supreme Court justice emphasized that the arbitral ruling, which was issued in 2016, remains legally binding and cannot be simply set aside by the president.
However, security analyst Raymond San Juan has a differing view on the issue. He believes that Duterte’s decision to set aside the arbitral ruling is a ‘sensible and rational position’ that takes into account the country’s national interests. San Juan argues that the ruling, while favorable to the Philippines, also presents challenges in terms of enforcement and compliance.
Carpio’s stance on the matter highlights the complexities surrounding the South China Sea dispute and the delicate balance between upholding international law and protecting national sovereignty.