Press Release
August 28, 2018

HONTIVEROS CHALLENGES CAYETANO TO DIVULGE DETAILS OF 50-100 DIPLOMATIC ACTIONS VS. CHINA

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday challenged Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Cayetano to bare the details of the so-called 50-100 diplomatic actions his department made against China.

In a Senate budget hearing, Hontiveros demanded transparency and integrity in the government's foreign policy framework and implementation.

It was reported that Cayetano claimed in a congressional hearing that the Philippines has filed 50 to 100 protests and/or diplomatic actions against China over the past two years. However, Cayetano failed to provide details regarding the "diplomatic actions" against China.

"Can the DFA tell us what is the nature of the 50-100 diplomatic actions? How many were in the form of notes verbal? How many were diplomatic démarches?" Hontiveros asked Cayetano.

"Can the DFA give us the exact date and time when these diplomatic actions against China were made? What channels and platforms were used? How many times did the Chinese government responded? What were the nature of China's diplomatic responses?" Hontiveros further queried.

Cayetano refused to answer Hontiveros' questions, saying that his office is willing to divulge the details of the "diplomatic actions" only in a closed session. He said that he doesn't want to publicly disclose the foreign affairs strategy of the government. He stressed that the government is taking up actions to address the issue despite the lack of details disclosed to the public.

Hontiveros explained that the public is aware of only one instance when the DFA issued a note verbale to protest China's installation of missile systems on three man-made islands in the Spratly Islands and the harassment by the Chinese Navy of Philippine Navy boats resupplying troops on Ayungin Shoal on 11 May.

"Transparency makes for good foreign policy. On the contrary, total silence raises suspicion and discourages public confidence. Considering that the Philippine Senate has been granted by the Constitution the power to ratify treaties and in line with its check and balance powers, it has material interest in ensuring that the foreign policy adopted by the Executive is in the best interest of Filipino citizens," Hontiveros said.

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