Palace tweaks post on Vietnam’s support for arbitral ruling

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in the Malacañan Palace on Friday, August 30, 2024. —PPA POOL/Noel B. Pabalate

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang appears to have veered off from an earlier pronouncement when it tweaked its post on social media deleting a portion thanking the government of Vietnam for supporting the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 arbitral ruling.

The official Facebook and Instagram accounts of President Marcos on Saturday expressed appreciation for Vietnam a day after the courtesy call made by its Defense Minister Phan Van Giang in Malacañang on Friday.

The President expressed optimism over Phan’s visit in terms of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.

READ: Marcos to Vietnam’s defense chief: We now have defense, security alliance

“We have elevated Philippines-Vietnam relations to greater heights with the visit of Vietnam’s Defense Minister, General Phan Van Giang,” he said in the original post, adding that “We thank Vietnam for supporting the Arbitral Award.”

Marcos was referring to the 2016 arbitral ruling, which upheld the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and invalidated China’s claims over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

But that sentence would subsequently be deleted from the post, which said further: “Together we remain committed to peaceful resolutions, de-escalating tensions and ensuring that the rule of law and a rules-based international order prevail in our region.”

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has not released any statement on that matter.

‘Further push’

On Friday, Marcos touted the significance of Phan’s visit to the Philippines.

“The Philippines and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations and we have continued to progress in those relationships,” he said.

The discussions with Phan were focused on security and maritime cooperation and trade.

“Your visit, I think, will serve as further impetus, further push to increase…the depth and the range of our relationship,” the President said, addressing Phan.

Phan extended his gratitude to President Marcos and the Philippine government for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation.

“And it’s my great honor to convey the greetings and best wishes from our senior leaders from Vietnam, namely General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh China, and the Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man,” he said.

He conveyed the Vietnamese government’s appreciation for Marcos’ state visit in January, which he said “opened up new opportunities to further promote and innovate the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines.”

Phan said the two countries have “very good interactions and exchanges,” especially in their “Navy-to-Navy discussions.”