EP 31: How PH won arbitration case vs China

Last week, a newspaper column by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio recalled how two factions within the Aquino administration allegedly fought 'from the beginning to the end' on the arbitration case against China in 2013. 

One faction wanted to proceed with the case and the other did not — at least, according to Carpio. 

The two groups were likewise 'bitterly divided' over the issue Itu Aba, a largest natural feature in the Spratlys.

Should it be among the issues the Philippines should ask the permanent court of arbitration in the Hague to resolve?  Was it a rock or an island — the answer to which would have wide-ranging implications in the disputed region.

In the end, the issue was included in the Philippines’ memorial. the court later rule it’s a rock, not an island.

Such issues should have been behind us now since the landmark ruling came five years ago. 

Why then did Justice Carpio decide to bring up the bitter factions under Aquino?

In response, frmer Solicitor General Florin Hilbay wrote a five-page, single-spaced response assailing Carpio’s alleged “falsehoods.”

He said the Itu Aba issue was a 'roxy for the debate then n whether to enter into joint development with China.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra talked to former Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza. He was the Solicitor General when the Philippines brought China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2013. They are joined by security analyst Renato de Castro, a professor of International Studies at De La Salle University. He also served as a consultant to the National Security Adviser during the administration of the late Benigno Aquino III.