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August 9, 2022

Seek UN courts to settle PH-Malaysia dispute over Sabah: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, that the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia could bring to the United Nations (UN) their respective claims to Sabah. Interpellating Sen. Robinhood Padilla on his privilege speech, Pimentel said this is one way to "finally put an end" to the decades-long territorial dispute between the neighboring countries. "Being a responsible member of the United Nations, we should only use methods recognized by the UN for settling disputes between sovereign nations," said Pimentel, who formerly chaired the Committee on Foreign Relations. "Since the Republic of the Philippines is confident enough that we can defend, sustain, and prove the ownership of the Sultanate of Sulu over this territory called Sabah or North Borneo, then we can challenge our friend, Malaysia, our neighbor Malaysia, if they are also confident enough...then we should, with our consent, both countries consenting, submit the issue before the international courts of justice for final settlement," he proposed. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

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