P-Noy seeks Spain’s support in sea dispute

MADRID – President Aquino brought up yesterday the West Philippine Sea issue before Spanish leaders and sought their support for Manila’s position on tackling China’s aggressive acts in the region through legal and peaceful means.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the President expressed to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy his concern over China’s continued provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly Chinese reclamation activities on some reefs and shoals as well the continued presence of Chinese vessels in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, using as basis what it calls historical records and ancient maps.

Manila is contesting Beijing’s claims before The Hague-based international arbitral tribunal of the United Nations.

In its Triple Action Plan (TAP), Manila’s approach to the problem is cessation of activities that escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea. For an intermediate approach, Manila is pushing for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the expeditious conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC).

As a final approach, the TAP underscores the need for a settlement mechanism anchored on international law.

Coloma said the Philippines hopes that other claimant-states in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN would consider Manila’s proposals contained in TAP.

“The international community must uphold the rule of law for the sake of global peace, security and stability,” Coloma said.

On the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Coloma said the President thanked the Spanish government for its support in the peace initiatives of the government.

“We also value the insights on the existing Autonomous Communities in Spain gained through the study visits of our delegates to your country. This will help our government officials and legislators who will be involved in the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity,” Coloma quoted the President as saying.

Coloma said the President also expressed hope that Spain would continue to be “our partner in the development of Mindanao.”

Aquino, according to Coloma, also thanked Rajoy and the people of Spain for their generous assistance to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and of other calamities.

The President invited Spain to become part of the Philippines’ efforts to “build back better, faster and safer,” Coloma said, emphasizing that the country is open to development partnerships, either with the public or private sector.

Firmer trade ties

On the economy, Coloma said the President told Rajoy he is looking forward to closer cooperation between the two countries with the signing of the extension of bilateral development partnership until 2017.

“We greatly appreciate being the only priority country in Asia under the Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation in 2013 to 2016,” Coloma said.

He pointed out that the Philippine economy grew by 7.2 percent in 2013 and six percent in the first half of 2014 despite the uncertain global environment and the impact of Yolanda and other natural disasters.

The President, Coloma said, likewise welcomed efforts to finalize an air transport agreement that could lead to direct flights between Manila and Madrid soon.

The President, Coloma said, also noted the milestone cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Spain on fighting transnational crime. The agreement was initialed in Manila last March.

“With the security challenges that our countries face these days, such a partnership proves crucial to our law enforcement agencies in protecting our citizens from transnational threats,” Coloma quoted Aquino as saying.

Facing kababayans

A pumped up President Aquino faced the Filipino community here Sunday night and told them about positive developments back home.

He did not lash out at critics nor mention anything about the controversial term extension issue.

Aquino said his dream is to see a Philippines where opportunities abound and where government is truly deserving of the people’s trust.

He pointed out that those working to improve their talents must be recognized and given opportunity to further improve their lives.

The President said perseverance and integrity must result in progress for Filipinos.

“All I can say is... the Philippines is getting there,” Aquino said.

The President even managed to joke about his “change” mantra affecting everything even the traffic, which he said had gotten worse.

He also quipped that his bouts of coughing would be the ones reported in the media instead of his speech. When his coughing became severe, he again joked that somebody was casting a spell on him. But with prayers from supporters, things won’t get any worse, he said.

Aquino said more people could afford to buy their own cars now and that road construction and infrastructure development could not match the pace of vehicle sales.

The President also cited the close to 500,000 jobs in business process outsourcing. He also said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority was able to provide employment opportunities to hundreds.