SENATORS lauded the Duterte administration for facing up to the challenge and successfully hosting the recently concluded 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit and related meetings.
Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other government agencies for making sure that no untoward incident will happen during the summit.
Senator Vicente Sotto III said the success of the event reflects the government's determination to show that the country is ready for any challenges.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada said the government "deserves a thumbs up for a job well done."
He stressed the need, however, for President Rodrigo Duterte to promote Philippine interest in the disputed South China Sea and defend territorial integrity based on the Hague Tribunal ruling.
The Hague Tribunal, an international court, favored the Philippines by rejecting China’s nine-dash line claims and declaring the Kalayaan (Spratly) Island, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin Recto (Reed) bank, and Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) and Recto (Reed) Bank, as all within the exclusive economic zone of the country.
Meanwhile, Sotto lambasted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for bringing up with Duterte the issues of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
Sotto said the problem about Canadian garbage should have been given more importance.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, for his part, commended Trudeau and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand for raising their concerns on EJK amid the Philippines' brutal war on drugs. (VoxPop Philippines)