Back channel talks weaken PH position in shoal dispute, says Rep. Biazon

Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — What exactly was President Benigno Aquino III’s marching order for Senator Antonio Trillanes IV if he indeed authorized the lawmaker’s backchanneling in territorial disputes with China?

This was Muntinlupa City Representative Rodolfo Biazon’s question Wednesday after he was asked to comment on the spat between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Trillanes, on the latter’s role in talks with China. He said that the President should clarify whether he authorized the senator’s move and if so, what was his orders.

“The question which may arise is… what are the marching orders? If the marching orders are not in line with the official line of government as defined by the DFA, what was the marching order?” asked Biazon.

He said that in cases where backchanneling is done, the one assigned to do so must operate under the supervision of the authority on the matter who in this case is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. “He is the alter ego of the President in so far as defining and moving national policy, especially in this issue of dispute in the West Philippine Sea.”

“Our national interest may be jeopardized by this row, especially after the revelations made by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. It does not help our case any. It definitely weakens our position,” said Biazon who chairs the House committee on national defense and security.

He said that backchanneling, a normal resort for the government to have someone go behind the scenes to fix an issue, should always be in parallel directions with the official channel which “in this case is the Department of Foreign Affairs.”

“To me it will not be logical to think that marching orders given to the official channel is not supported by the marching orders given to the backchannel. The backchannel must support the official channel,” he said.

Del Rosario will have to be supported by the President on this issue, added the lawmaker.

Asked to comment about Trillanes’ brazen walkout of the plenary after engaging in a word war with Enrile, Biazon said that it was up to the Senate President to decide what would be done.

He said that as senators are not under the jurisdiction of the President as members of a coequal branch of government, it would be up to Enrile to decide on the issue.