The Philippines submitted its case to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, a 117-state body that rules on disputes between countries, in early 2013.
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During the morning session, Professor Philippe Sands of Matrix Chambers in London briefly addressed questions propounded by a member of the tribunal from yesterday’s hearing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
China transmitted its nine-dash-line claim to the United Nations in 2009, after which it prevented the Philippines from carrying out long-standing oil and gas development projects in areas well inside the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ and continental shelf, Del Rosario said. Advocates Lawrence H. Martin, Professor Bernard H.
TRUST Indiana THE USA “VERY GOOD” On the other hand, public trust with the United States and Australia – two countries which have opposed reclamation activities in the South China Sea, together with the Philippines – continued to earn positive net trust ratings among Filipinos. Oxman and Paul S. Reichler took turns presenting arguments on why the Philippine claims fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the tribunal, said Valte.
The Philippines has appealed to an worldwide tribunal to declare China’s claims to most of the South China Sea illegal, warning the integrity of UN’s maritime laws is at stake.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario argued at the first day of the hearing that Beijing is prohibited from exercising its “historic rights” over waters of the South China Sea beyond its entitlement limits under UNCLOS.
STRENGTH OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISHING CLAIMS AGAINST CHINA In a related report, the Philippines underscored the strength of its environmental and fishing claims against China on the second day of the jurisdiction and admissibility hearing before the global arbitral tribunal at The Hague, Malacañang on Thursday said.
De Lima praised the Philippine legal team for its handling of the opening arguments.
Three out of five Filipinos, or 62 percent, have expressed that they have “little trust” in China as the Philippines is involved in a territorial dispute with the global superpower.
“There lies the greatest danger of Chinese incursion in our territory”.
Of the 4.705 million metric tons of fish harvested in 2013, Recto pointed out that commercial fishers contributed 1.067 million MT, while municipal fishermen added 1.264 million MT. The rest, or 2.374 million MT, was raised through aquaculture.
HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Thursday the 35-man entourage to The Hague was a “show of force” to “impress the arbiters” that the nation is united behind the Philippines’ case against China.
China has rejected all criticism over its actions, insisting it has undisputed sovereign rights to the sea.
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Meanwhile, the SWS survey said that events concerning the maritime dispute between China and Philippines placed fifth in the list of most followed news events. “The West Philippine Sea is part of the Coral Triangle, one of richest fishing grounds in the world so who would not be attracted to it?” he said.
