Is it time to abandon SCS code of conduct talks? Experts asked

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

SECURITY and geopolitical analysts have questioned the need for the Philippines to continue negotiating for a code of conduct in the South China Sea / West Philippine Sea (SCS/WPS) amid China’s continued encroachment and harassment in the area.

K arla Cruz, AIF International Fellow-Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Prof. Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, said the Philippines, other Asean countries and China have been negotiating for a code of conduct in the SCS/WPS for 21 years.

“ It’s been 21 years,” Cruz said. “Think of somebody who has lived for 21 years, graduated for a college degree. 21 years is a long time to be patient and to wait for somebody to come to the negotiating table for a common interest.”

T he fellow from US-based think tank believes China has not been showing “respect” to the Philippines, with repeated harassment of fishermen and firing water canons of ships supplying food to soldiers in Ayungin Shoal.

“ How can you establish a code of conduct if there is no respect between both parties?” Cruz said.

M anhit said China has used the past 21 years to “strengthen its position in the region, including encroaching on Philippine waters.”

“Our marine resources are being exploited. We have less access to our marine resources,” Manhit added.

He called the negotiations for a code of conduct in the SCS/WPS as more of a talk shop or “dialogue.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said despite challenges in maintaining peace instability in the West Philippine Sea, the solution lies with engaging China to commit to a rules of behavior in the seas.

A Code of Conduct which finds its moorings on Unclos [United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] is part of the diplomatic solution for the management and resolution of disputes in the South China Sea,” Manalo said in his speech at the opening of the Maritime Dialogue in the South China Sea.

He said Manila “advocates for an effective and substantive code of conduct that adheres to Unclos and takes into account the interests of all stakeholders, even extending beyond Asean and China.”

“ This approach is crucial if we are to maintain an open, inclusive and free Indo Pacific region and its momentum as the engine of global economic growth and transformation and in effect, the upliftment of the lives of millions of Asian citizens yet in the threshold of much improved well-being,” Manalo said.

Manila hosting talks

THE Philippines is the host of this month’s round of talks among midranking diplomats and maritime experts who will hammer out activities that would prevent the escalation of the tension in the South China Sea.

T he Joint Working Group will be held on August 22-24 in an undisclosed place in Manila.

M anhit said while the Philippines continue to play along with the “dialogue,” it should assert the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated China’s claims in the SCS citing the nine-dash line in their ancient maps.

C ruz said it’s time for the Philippines to align with other likeminded countries such as the Palau, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries to also protect the eastern seaboard. We’ve long sacrificed, been the nicer people, power in between –friends to all but enemy to none. But has it gotten us anywhere Or has it gotten a few somewhere?” Cruz asked.

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

Voting 265 affirmative, 0 negative, and 3 absentions, lawmakers voted to adopt the unanimous recommendation of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to impose the maximum penalty of expulsion on Teves.

In their report to the plenary, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges laid out clear and undeniable evidence that Teves violated his Oath of Office and displayed disorderly behavior.

T he most glaring of these violations is his continuous attempt to seek political asylum in Timor-

Leste and his prolonged, unjustified absence, which is tantamount to the abandonment of his office, said the ethics panel.

T his, the committee noted, has directly affected the constituents of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, depriving them of the representation they rightfully deserve from someone they elected into office.

The prolonged unauthorized absence of Rep. A. Teves Jr. deprives the 3rd District of Negros Oriental of proper representation and undermines the efficiency of the legislative process. Instead of actively participating in deliberations on important legislative measures pending in the House, the representative refuses to return to the country and perform his duties as House Member. All these actuations of a legislative district representative weaken the institution’s effectiveness in serving the public and tarnishes the integrity and reputation of the House,” the committee explained.

T he panel said Teves’ continuous absence in the House of Representatives, taken together with his continuous pursuit of his application for political asylum in Timor-Leste, effectively shows intent to abandon his public office, undermining public service.

I n its Committee Report No. 660, the committee confirmed that Teves applied for political asylum in Timor-Leste, which was denied because “no facts are known to confirm the existence of any kind of persecution or serious threat to his citizen’s rights, freedom, and guarantees.”

I n light of two repeated denials of asylum, Teves’ actions reportedly show a clear intention of relinquishing his duties as a representative. Such behavior, when combined with his persistent absence, demonstrates a definitive intent to abandon his public office.

“Abandonment of an office is the voluntary relinquishment of an office by the holder with the intention of terminating his possession and control thereof.