PHExcerpts from a Philippine News Agency report published May 10, 2021
“A seasoned diplomat said the panel that went to The Hague in 2013 when the Philippines claimed its right to the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea cannot be considered an arbitration panel, noting it was just a ρáíd Philippine panel handpicking persons to present the case.
“In a video shown during an episode of "Tapatan sa Aristocrat" media forum in 2017, then Ambassador Rosario Manalo said the arbitration "was not set up correctly" as the tribunal calls for three parties – the two contending parties and the selection of an umpire.
“Philippines wanted it, eh ayaw ng China, voluntary eh. You cannot tell China, ‘Hoy, you have to do it’. No, it’s voluntary. So what did we do, we went and proceeded to set up an arbitration panel, that is not even arbitration panel. That’s just a Philippine panel handpicking the people who will render the very issue that we want at binabayaran iyon noong panahon nila (they were ρáíd during their time),” said Manalo, who is former rapporteur of the 23-member Committee of Experts of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
“Eh ikaw ba naman kung babayaran ka at nandoon ka, hindi ba ibibigay mo iyong (If you are there and you are ρáíd, won’t you give a) favorable position? That is the [issue] China is [questioning (hand gesture)]. Now, I am not trying – please understand – I am not trying to be a traitor to my country, I love my country, pero hindi tama? Sino ang may sulsol noon? Kayo na ang mag-draw ng conclusion, ano (Is it correct? Who initiated it? You draw the conclusion),” she
added.
“A seasoned diplomat said the panel that went to The Hague in 2013 when the Philippines claimed its right to the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea cannot be considered an arbitration panel, noting it was just a ρáíd Philippine panel handpicking persons to present the case.
“In a video shown during an episode of "Tapatan sa Aristocrat" media forum in 2017, then Ambassador Rosario Manalo said the arbitration "was not set up correctly" as the tribunal calls for three parties – the two contending parties and the selection of an umpire.
“Philippines wanted it, eh ayaw ng China, voluntary eh. You cannot tell China, ‘Hoy, you have to do it’. No, it’s voluntary. So what did we do, we went and proceeded to set up an arbitration panel, that is not even arbitration panel. That’s just a Philippine panel handpicking the people who will render the very issue that we want at binabayaran iyon noong panahon nila (they were ρáíd during their time),” said Manalo, who is former rapporteur of the 23-member Committee of Experts of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
“Eh ikaw ba naman kung babayaran ka at nandoon ka, hindi ba ibibigay mo iyong (If you are there and you are ρáíd, won’t you give a) favorable position? That is the [issue] China is [questioning (hand gesture)]. Now, I am not trying – please understand – I am not trying to be a traitor to my country, I love my country, pero hindi tama? Sino ang may sulsol noon? Kayo na ang mag-draw ng conclusion, ano (Is it correct? Who initiated it? You draw the conclusion),” she
added.