SEN. BAM: PROBE DIRECTION OF PH FOREIGN POLICY WITH CHINA

On September 19, 2016, Sen. Bam filed Resolution No. 158 seeking to clarify the country’s foreign policy direction to determine the administration’s position on several issues, including the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise and other dealings with China.

Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV

Stressing that a serious investigation on the government’s dealings with China is long overdue, Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his call for a Senate probe into the direction of the country’s foreign policy.

 “Importanteng malaman ng Senado at ng taumbayan ang foreign policy ng administrasyon, lalo na sa pakikitungo nito sa China. This is a serious issue and the Philippines has too much to lose,” said Sen. Bam, saying the probe will center on the details of deals entered into by the government with China, especially on the conduct of maritime scientific research in the Benham Rise or now known as Philippine Rise.

“Kailangang suriin ang laman ng kasunduang pinasok ng pamahalaan sa China. Hindi pupuwedeng dehado rito ang Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

“If these deals will truly benefit the Filipino people, there shouldn’t be anything to hide,” added Sen. Bam.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that it has approved China’s request that it be allowed to conduct maritime scientific research in the Benham Rise, with the blessing of President Duterte.

Sen. Bam also called on the government to assert the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the West Philippine Sea issue, saying it will go down the drain if not implemented.