Solons' visit to Spratlys will not affect PHL-China ties, Palace reiterates

The planned visit of five Filipino lawmakers to Kalayaan island — part of the Spratly Islands — will not affect the Philippines’ relations with China, a claimant to the disputed group of islands, Malacañang reiterated on Tuesday. “I don’t think it will affect in the long term our relations with China. Again the dispute is always been there, that is why we are conducting a dialogue with them," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing. Lacierda made the reiteration after Ethan Sun, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Manila, expressed concern over the planned visit, saying it “goes against the spirit" of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties to the South China Sea. “It goes against the spirit of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties to the South China Sea and serves no purpose but to undermine peace and stability in the region and sabotage China-Philippines relationship," Sun said in a statement earlier in the day. In a text message to GMA News Online, Lacierda said it would be better if the Chinese Embassy will talk with the leadership of the House of Representatives. “It would be proper for the Chinese embassy to direct its concern on the House leadership since this is an initiative from the House." House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. had already advised his colleagues to leave the resolution of the Spratlys dispute to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Those who want to visit Kalayaan island on Wednesday are Akbayan party-list Reps. Walden Bello and Arlene Bag-ao, DIWA party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone and Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. Lacierda said the lawmakers need not get permission from the Palace for their planned visit, noting that the House of Representatives, as part of the legislative branch of the government, is independent from the executive branch. “Why do they have to ask our permission? They may have to coordinate with the [Armed Forces of the Philippines], but as far as asking permission from the executive branch I don’t think it is required," he said at the same press briefing. The Spratlys, a group of islets in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits, are being claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. — KBK, GMA News