Senate resolution to list WPS row options

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he will file a draft resolution condemning China’s incursion into Philippine territory and its harassment of Philippine Coast Guard personnel and Filipino fishermen.

The document will no longer limit the call only to asking the government to bring its case to the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The original resolution proposed by Senator Risa Hontiveros had called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring the issue to the UNGA for a vote, but some senators had questioned the wisdom of this move, saying it could weaken the Philippine position if the vote goes the wrong way.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reacting to the Hontiveros resolution, also said that it is the executive branch, not the legislature, that sets foreign policy.