Palace welcomes critics’ support for PH petition vs China

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

They may disagree on other points but when it comes to the country’s national sovereignty, the Philippine government and its critics are of one mind.

In a radio interview with Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., broadcaster and former senator Orlando “Orly” Mercado mentioned the declaration of support of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison for the government’s legal fight against China’s claim over parts of South China Sea.

Sison said the government “has good reason to demonstrate the seriousness of the [Philippine] position.”

READ: Joma Sison backs PH legal battle vs China over sea dispute

Sison is currently in exile in the Netherlands where the United Nations arbitral tribunal is hearing the Philippine petition against China.

READ: UN court to rule on jurisdiction on PH-China sea row

Coloma acknowledged the news and said, “Ganoon nga, Orly. Dito rin sa ating bansa, iyong grupo ng Makabayan na sa maraming isyu ay nandoon sila sa kabila. Eh dito ay nasa iisang panig lang po tayo, dahil ang nakataya ay iyong mismong soberanya at karangalan ng ating bansa.”

(That is right, Orly. Here in our country, the group Makabayan, with which we disagree in many issues, agrees with us. Here we are on the same side because our sovereignty and the honor of the country are at stake.)

Makabayan, a coalition of party-list representatives, is composed of the groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ACT Teachers, Anakpawis and Kabataan.

Activist lawmakers like Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares have spoken on the Philippine case versus China. In interviews, Colmenares said he agrees with the government’s position.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has also been holding rallies outside the Chinese embassy as the hearings in The Hague continue. IDL

READ: Protesters troop to China consulate over sea dispute on Independence Day