MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his call to conduct an inquiry into the country's foreign policy, particularly the government's stand on Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal and Benham Rise.
The senator urged the government to clarify the Philippines' stand on foreign policy issues following President Rodrigo Duterte's latest pronouncements over some of the features in the country's exclusive economic zone.
On Sept. 29, 2016, Aquino filed Senate Resolution 158 which seeks an inquiry on the foreign policy of the direction of the government with the end view of protecting the country's national interest.
Article 2, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution states that "The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination."
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, had expressed support for the resolution.
Six months after the filing of the resolution, no date has been set for the hearing.
Duterte's approach toward China has been criticized by observers as inconsistent and incoherent marked by the president's apparently resigned reactions to China's construction activities and his officials' expression of concern.
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