There is no stopping President Rodrigo Duterte from speaking his mind about the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea dispute and other issues affecting the country’s interests. The President’s longtime aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, said the Chief Executive “is very ready” to fight for the Philippines’ interests in the maritime row with Beijing. Go will be joining the President’s delegation for this trip, which is the President’s sixth visit to China since assuming the presidency in 2016. The President is scheduled to fly to Beijing on Wednesday and return on Sept. 1.

Aurelio, J. M. (2019, August 27). Palace: the president will definitely raise Hague ruling in meeting with Xi. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.