Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo)
Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine delegation to The Hague is prepared to field clarificatory questions from the arbitral tribunal handling the case the Philippines filed regarding its maritime dispute with CHina, Malacañang said Saturday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the tribunal is likely to ask the clarificatory questions during the second round of oral arguments on July 13.
“Ito ay ginagawa nila kapag may kaunting clarification na itatanong uli. Handa ang ating panel isagot ang kanilang katanungan,” he said on state-run dzRB radio, referring to the second round of arguments.
Lacierda said the lawyers in the Philippine delegation are ready, adding they had one year to prepare themselves on the case.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines is to argue its case before the Arbitral Tribunal in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands on July 7 to 13.
It said the hearings will address the issue of the Arbitral Tribunal’s jurisdiction over the case.
Presenting the Philippine position is Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, as agent of the Philippines, together with counsels from Washington D.C.-based law firm Foley and Hoag, headed by Paul Reichler. (MNS)