Critics and allies alike of President Rodrigo Duterte praised him Wednesday for invoking before the United Nations General Assembly a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that struck down China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea in favor of the Philippines. Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, and Ambassador Lauro Baja, the country’s former permanent ambassador to the UN, commended the President for departing from his usual policy of appeasing Beijing in speaking to the UN via a taped message for the first time. Most Senators also praised the President’s speech on the UN’s 75th anniversary, as they hoped he would speak with the same clarity on issues to Filipinos.

Requejo, R. E., Ramos-Araneta, M., & Casas, W. (2020, September 24). Duterte lauded for sea stand: Allies, critics call it a victory for invoking PH arbitral award before UN. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.