Malacañang says Senate WPS debate part of democracy, but PH claim firm

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

PH TERRITORY. The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (WPS) says the Philippines dispels China’s claims of takeover as it asserted its claims over Pag-asa Island’s Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3, and surrounding waters on April 27, 2025. Malacañang on Tuesday (Feb. 3, 2026) said that the heated debate on the WPS in the Senate reflects the Philippines’ democratic processes, but underscored that the administration remains firm on defending the country’s maritime claims. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday said the recent heated debate on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the Senate reflects the Philippines’ democratic processes, but underscored that the administration remains firm on defending the country’s maritime claims.

“Kung nagkaroon po man ng debate sa Senado, iyan po ay kanilang mandato – pag-usapan kung anong isyu – at iyan po ay parte ng pagiging democratic country (If there was indeed a debate in the Senate, that is their mandate – to discuss issues – and that is part of being a democratic country),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Senators from the majority bloc earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 256, reaffirming the country’s claim over the WPS and condemning aggressive actions by representatives of the Chinese embassy toward Philippine officials.

The debate was triggered by Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s questioning of the 2016 United Nations Arbitral Tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines, claiming that it did not provide definitive coordinates or boundaries.

Castro, however, stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to protecting Philippine interests in the WPS while maintaining strong diplomatic engagement with other countries.

“Alam po natin ang posisyon ng Pangulo patungkol po sa West Philippine Sea, unang-una po ay dapat na ipaglaban, protektahan kung anuman ang interes na mayroon ang Pilipinas (We know the President’s position regarding the West Philippine Sea: first and foremost, we must defend and protect whatever interests the Philippines has),” Castro said.

“At kung anuman po ang nagiging isyu sa ibang bansa, gagamit pa rin po tayo ng matatag, malakas ngunit may diplomasya na pakikipag-usap (And for any issue with other countries, we will continue to engage firmly and strongly, yet with diplomacy).”

Manila and Beijing have been embroiled in a long-standing maritime confrontation, with the Philippines accusing China of aggressive maneuvers, water cannon incidents, and disruption of supply missions in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ EEZ.

The Philippines’ position is anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims.