He promised to raise the issue at the right time. Before the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Duterte vowed to reject efforts to undermine the arbitral ruling that voided China’s expansive maritime claim in the South China Sea. Accused by critics of selling out the Philippines’ rights in the disputed region in exchange for Chinese aid, Duterte said the ruling is already part of international law. His pre-taped address – his first participation in the UN General Assembly – was played Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York (early yesterday in Manila).

Romero, A., Regalado, E., Lee-Brago, P., Macairan, E., & Porcalla, D. (2020, September 24). Romero, P., Felipe, C. S., Rody raises SCS ruling to UN: Carpio, Del Rosario hail move. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 2.