UN Tribunal to deliberate on PH-China sea row jurisdiction

Photo from Abigail Valte’s Twitter Account.

MANILA — The United Nations Arbitral Tribunal will deliberate on the presentations made by the Philippines in its claims against China,  deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

“In the past two days, the Philippines presented its arguments to prove that the tribunal has jurisdiction over the matter and that there is no bar to the exercise of its jurisdiction,” Valte said.

The court will decide on whether or not they will proceed to the second round of oral arguments.

Valte added that should the international tribunal decide to ask more questions on the country’s claims, a second round of arguments will be held on July 13.

During the first round of arguments, the country’s delegates presented justification for the tribunal’s jurisdiction over the its claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also explained the case’s importance “not only to the region but to the entire world, and its impact on the application of the rule of law in maritime disputes.”