The nation’s interest will be the top priority of the Duterte administration regardless of the United Nation’s decision on the Philippine arbitration case against China, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
“The top priority will be national interest. Definitely, national interest,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters in a press briefing.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, is set to announce the historic ruling at 5 p.m. this Tuesday.
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Abella said the government would carefully study the decision.
“Everything will have to be subject to a discussion. After all, it’s going to be a lengthy decision and there will be a number of details that need to be properly threshed out before any statement–any decision is made publicly,” he said.
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He said Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay would be the government’s sole spokesperson regarding the ruling.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said the government would “study progressively” the decision of The Hague Court in case the decision favors the Philippines.
While it may be a moral boost if the country wins the case, Duterte said that the government should still exercise prudence.
The President said the government should not “taunt or flaunt” the decision so as not to put the country in an awkward situation. CDG/rga