Robredo, Escudero joust over bilateral talks with China

Though both Senator Francis Escudero and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo backed the arbitration proceedings the Philippine government initiated against China over claims on the South China Sea, it became apparent during a vice-presidential forum on Monday that they had opposing views on bilateral talks with Beijing.

During the forum at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Robredo said that the Philippines could explore other avenues of cooperation with China even while the case was ongoing.

“Dapat di natin sinasaraduhan ang lahat ng avenues for cooperation, lahat ng avenues na magbibigay ng katahimikan para sa lahat ng parties. At the same time, hindi natin gini-give up ang ating sovereignty,” she explained.

She, however, believed the country would be shortchanged if it agreed to China’s wish for bilateral talks.

“Pero yung lahat ng avenues para sa peaceful resolution dapat nating i-pursue. Marami pang opportunities for economic relationship na pwedeng patuloy na nangyayari habang pinu-pursue natin ang arbitration case,” Robredo added.

In contrast, opposition United Nationalist Alliance vice-presidential candidate Escudero said the government should consider holding either bilateral talks or back-channel negotiations with Beijing simultaneous with the arbitration proceedings.

“Walang mawawala at hindi kawalan dahil mapayapang paraan naman ‘yan at hindi natin ipinagbebenta ang pagmamay-ari ng lugar na iyan,” the senator explained.

Escudero added that the Philippines would only be “bullied” in bilateral talks with China if it allowed itself to be pushed around. “Mabu-bully lang naman tayo sa one-on-one kung magpapa-bully tayo. Pero kung hindi, pwedeng simulan. Pwedeng tigilan kung ‘yon ang ginagawa nila sa bilateral talks,” he said.

The Aquino administration has refused bilateral talks with China, choosing instead to take its maritime row with Beijing before the Arbitral Tribunal.

The Netherlands-based tribunal recently ruled it had jurisdiction over the case and is now hearing the Philippines’ arguments.

China, which has refused to participate in arbitration proceedings, claims “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire South China Sea. — DVM, GMA News