President Rodrigo Duterte speaking before the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (Sept. 23, 2020). (File photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – President Rodrigo Duterte's first ever speech at the United Nations General Assembly is a true reflection of the country’s strong stand and commitment on a wide range of international issues, according to some residents in Central Luzon.
In the virtual assembly on Wednesday, the President tackled some important global issues which drew praise from majority of the people in the region.
Aurora provincial prosecutor Jobert Reyes commended the President for asserting the country’s legal victory against China on the disputed territory in the South China Sea in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“It is unraveling speech that upholds the fiat of internationally recognized principles of law, clarifying the strong position of the Duterte administration in claiming a disputed territory that rightfully belongs to the Philippines as a precipitate of our legal victory against China involving the South China Sea imbroglio,” Reyes said.
Lawyer Ofelio Tactac, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Aurora, said the act of the President in asserting the country’s territorial rights is not only a matter of national pride but also a means to protect the future of the Filipino.
“The fact that the President is raising the Hague arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines shows that he is determined to have the Spratly territorial dispute be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law,” Tactac said.
Amador Ramos, station manager of DZJO FM 101.7 of the Catholic Media Network in Baler, Aurora, said that it is a good indication that President Duterte has shown a strong position to the country’s sovereignty and arbitral ruling of UNCLOS.
“Nakakataba ng puso bilang Pilipino na marinig na naninidigan ang iyong Presidente para sa nasasakupan (it is heartening as a Filipino to hear the President standing firm for the constituency),” he said.
Likewise, Bernie Rada, station manager of Radyo Natin Baler 88.5FM, said many Filipinos favor the statement of the President invoking the legal victory of the Philippines against China on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“Sa wakas daw ay ipinakita ng Pangulo na mas matimbang pa rin ang pakikipaglaban nito para sa ating teritoryo sa halip na makipagkaibigan sa China na patuloy na umaangkin sa ating territory sa South China Sea (Finally, the President has shown that it is still more serious in fighting for our territory instead of making friends with China which continues to claim our territory in the South China Sea),” Rada said.
Guy Tuzon, chief of the Aurora Provincial Cooperative Office, also praised the Chief Executive for manner of discussing the issues in the global community.
"Calculated action is best and strongest when delivered at the right time, at the right place, for the right reason and for the greatest good of our nation. Aggression is never an option in the realm of diplomacy and rule of law,” Tuzon said.
Likewise, the statements of the President on other vital issues such as climate change, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the rights of migrant workers, received positive response.
Rainier Sandoval, a repatriated overseas Filipino worker, thanked the President for showing his deep concern on the plight of the migrants and for recognizing their vital contribution not only to the country for also to the whole world.
“I would like to thank the Duterte administration for extending assistance to migrant workers like me. I do believe that in the face of this health pandemic, our government is doing their best efforts for the safety and welfare of everyone,” Sandoval said. (PNA)
