The Philippines should now strategize how it can assert its tribunal victory over China in the South China Sea dispute, a former government lawyer said. The Hugue Tribuna Court's ruling in favor of the Philippines serves as a "powerful leverage" for the country, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said. "We have won certain rights as have been declared in our favor but right as you may know can be waived. The hope is that they are not waived implicitly or impliedly by the administration as it embarks on a strategic enforcement of the arbitral decision," he said. Duterte, who went to China in October, took a pivot in the country's foreign policy after announcing his "separation" from the United States and declaring that it is now the Philippines, China, and Russia "against the world."

'Time to assert tribunal ruling on West PH Sea'. (2016, November 7). Panay News, p. 9.