GORDON SUPPORTS DUTERTE'S STATEMENTS BEFORE THE UN ASSEMBLY

Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday expressed his agreement and support for the statements made by President Rodrigo Duterte in his first speech before the United Nations General Assembly.

Gordon said the President's speech was very comprehensive, projecting Philippine policies and concerns ranging from the West Pacific Sea claims, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to the plight of migrants and migrant workers.

"I strongly support his statement on the South China issue, strongly affirming the constitutional provisions on having an independent foreign policy and adherence to the generally accepted principles of international law. The statements made by both Pres. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping bode well for peace, stability and progress not only in our region, but worldwide," he said.

Duterte on Wednesday invoked the country's arbitral victory in 2016 against China's massive claims in the South China Sea, adding that the Philippines rejected any attempt to undermine the July 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

For his part, Xi told the UN that Beijing has "no intention to fight either a Cold War or a hot one with any country," adding that they will continue to narrow differences and resolve disputes with others through dialogue and negotiation.

Gordon also lauded Duterte's call for universal access to technologies and procedures in the fight against COVID-19.

"The president was right in saying that COVID-19 is the biggest test the world and the UN have faced since World War II because it knows no border, no nationality and no race. Hence, there should be a worldwide coordinated effort to fight it," he said.