Statement of Sen. Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on calls for public hearing on government policy towards China

“I welcome the call for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to conduct a public hearing on the government’s policy towards China.  I agree that the Senate, as an independent body, should assert our role in helping shape the government’s foreign policy.

There are two proposed resolutions, PSR 722 and PSR 723, on the China issue that have been transferred to my committee.  We will soon conduct a public hearing and I will work with my colleagues, including the Committee on National Defense and Security, in determining how best to support current initiatives to diffuse the tension, while at the same time protecting our sovereignty and territorial rights.  I maintain the view that diplomacy plays a key role in finding long term and durable solutions to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.”