Escudero wants historic Hague ruling part of PH law

Senate president Francis Escudero. —Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero said he asked the Office of the Solicitor General to study the possibility of filing a petition before a Philippine court to recognize the historic Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.

Escudero said the bid seeks to incorporate the 2016 ruling into the country’s existing laws.

“Well, the main purpose of the Maritime and Sea Lanes Act is to have a legal basis for our ownership of the West Philippine Sea. Since the only legal basis at the moment is the Arbitral Award—that’s why I requested from the OSG, I mentioned it to them, to file a petition related to the recognition of foreign judgment for that decision will become part of our law in the Philippines.,” said Escudero in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea

But why is there a need for such? The Senate chief said that any future president who succeeds President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cannot change that policy, perspective, or stance because that is already part of Philippine law.

“So, whoever will be the president of our country in the future cannot change their position,” he explained.

As for the venue of filing the petition, Escudero said it should be before a local court. Pressed for more details, the Senate chief admitted that he asked OSG to study the possibility of filing such a petition because the procedure only applies in connection with divorce.

“But there is no prohibition that it cannot be used in this type of arbitral award,” he said.

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016. Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert aggression in the territory.