PH sovereign rights not debatable, says Tolentino amid WPS issue

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday said that the Philippines’ sovereign rights is not debatable, emphasizing that a law asserting the country’s territorial rights over its maritime zones is now being implemented. 

This is what Tolentino said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Malate, Manila when asked to comment on Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela’s statement that he would ask Tolentino to substitute for him when he was challenged to a friendly debate by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

“I keep on saying this, when it comes to sovereignty, when it comes to our rights, this is not debatable. This should not be debatable.” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said that the Philippine Maritime Zones Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 12064 has already been signed into law, and had been debated by him and former Senator Kiko Pimentel.

The law is aimed at declaring the country’s maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“We held a public hearing. I wish that those who wanted to join the debates would have participated in the public hearing. We’re no longer in the period of interpellation, we’re now in the period of implementing the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” Tolentino added.

READ: Marcos signs law charting PH maritime zones, sea lanes

Further, Tolentino said that wrong premises of the debate would result in “category error.”

He noted that the debate should be in line with the international laws and the RA No. 12064 and RA 12065 or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, the twin measures he principally authored.

“If we’re talking about premise and we’re debating about maps, it’s not a necessity. If we’re talking about IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) the debate is useless. If we’re talking about metes and bounds, it’s not included.”

Aside from Tarriela, Marcoleta also challenged retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Jay Batongbacal to a debate.

Tarriela earlier turned down Marcoleta’s challenge and instead asked the lawmaker to visit the WPS and Kalayaan Group of Islands (KGI).

Marcoleta earlier suggested for the country to give up the KGI as he argued that it is not within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

READ: Palace on Kalayaan islands: No part of PH will be given to foreign power

Tarriela said that he was surprised Tolentino was not included in the debate challenge.

He added that he would request Tolentino to be his substitute should the challenge be raised again.  /gsg