Malacañang on Friday rejoiced at the recent ruling of the United Nations’ Permanent Court of Arbitration and is gearing up for the next hearing.

READ: PH hails Hague court ruling to take up arbitration case vs China

“Ikinatutuwa ng Malacañang ang naging desisyon at tiyak na paghahandaan ang susunod na mga hearing,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told Palace reporters.

(Malacañang is elated with the decision and our people can be assured that those representing our country have been continuously preparing for this.)

Valte has been with the top-level delegation representing the Philippines in The Hague.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., on the other hand, said “We welcome the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal on jurisdiction allowing the Philippines to present its claims on the merits.”

On Thursday evening (Manila time), the international Arbitral Tribunal announced that it has unanimously decided that it has jurisdiction over the case filed by the Philippines. Although the petition is not about sovereignty, it asks for clarification on maritime entitlements.

READ: Philippines scores against China in UN arbitration

Members of the Philippine team are seated at the Peace Palace in The Hague before starting oral arguments on the arbitration case against China’s claims over the West Philippine Sea. Members include Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, Speaker Sonny Belmonte Jr., Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr., Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa, Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Consul General Henry Bensurto and legal counsels led by Paul Reichler of Foley Hoag. PHOTO FROM ABIGAIL VALTE’S TWITTER ACCOUNT

The Philippines and its neighbor countries have been questioning China’s artificial islands in the disputed areas of South China Sea.

In its announcement, the tribunal said the Philippine government’s act of initiating the arbitration “did not constitute an abuse of process” and that the non-appearance of China