Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Carpio (left) and Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (right) received the “Outstanding Leadership in Diplomatic Service Award” on Saturday from the Miriam College Department of International Studies for their work in the successful arbitration case against China on the West Philippine Sea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario said Saturday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy should be grounded on the country’s core values.
“A principled and independent foreign policy must therefore be anchored on democracy, freedom, good governance, respect for human rights and adherence to rule of law,” he said.
Speaking at an awarding ceremony for him and Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio for their roles in the successful arbitration case against China, del Rosario said there seems to be “a lack of clarity” from the Duterte administration on what a principled and independent foreign policy should be.
“Our incumbent President had said that in pursuit of independent foreign policy, he would separate from America, turn to embrace and rely on China for all time and talk to President Putin to suggest that China, the Philippines and Russia get together against the world,” he said.
Read: In China, Duterte announces split with U.S.: ‘America has lost’
Duterte declared his “separation” from the United States, a long-time Philippine ally, before Chinese officials during a State visit to China. The President has repeatedly lashed out against the U.S. for its criticism of his human rights policies in his war on drugs.
Read: Duterte: I did not start this issue with the U.S.
However, he later clarified that this separation did not mean breaking off ties with the U.S., but was merely asserting an independent foreign policy.
Read: Duterte clarifies statement on U.S.: It’s a separation of foreign policy, not severance of ties
But Del Rosario said the country cannot afford to have a foreign policy that flip-flops.
“The friends we distance ourselves from today may be the very ones from whom we may need help tomorrow,” he said.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/11/12/Ex-DFA-Secretary-del-Rosario-Independent-foreign-policy-should-be-based-on-rule-of-law.html