ASEAN, dapat na magdoble-sikap na panindigan at itaguyod ang international law

DAPAT lamang na magdoble-sikap ang ASEAN  na  itaguyod at panindigan ang  international law sa rehiyon.

“In order to harness the potential of our region, I believe that ASEAN must double its efforts especially in these following priority areas: first, ASEAN should uphold international law and the international rules based system which has underpinned the peace, security, stability, and prosperity of our region,”  ang pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos sa pagbubukas ng  plenary session.

Binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang bagay na ito isang araw matapos niyang sabihin na patuloy niyang isusulong ang  Code of Conduct (COC) sa  South China Sea  sa ASEAN Summit.

Ani Pangulong Marcos, hindi mapapakalma ang tensyon  sa South China Sea kung walang COC.

“You cannot stop trying so yes I will bring that up again. Because when we talk about the issues in the West Philippine Sea, in the South China Sea, hindi magkakalma iyan hanggang wala tayong Code of Conduct,” ang wika ng Pangulo.

Samantala, sinabi pa rin ng Pangulo na tanggap ng PIlipinas ang Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship priority na  “strengthening regional cooperation to address cross-border crimes particularly trafficking in persons caused by the misuse of technology and to mainstream the protection of migrant workers and their families in crisis situations.”

Tinuran ng Pangulo na ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay  matibay na tagapagtaguyod  ng proteksyon ng karapatan at kapakanan ng mga migrante.

Sa gitna nito, kinikilala naman ng Pangulo ang kahalagahan ng  inter-parliamentary cooperation  pagdating sa “synergizing regional efforts towards tackling shared challenges.”

“Inter-parliamentary cooperation will synergize regional efforts towards tackling shared challenges such as climate change, transnational threats, and upholding a rules-based international order anchored in international law,” ang pahayag ng Pangulo sa kanyang interbensyon sa ASEAN Leaders’ Interface kasama ang mga kinatawan mula sa  ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

“We thank the AIPA for continuing to support our vision for a rules-based, people-oriented, and people-centered ASEAN,” dagdag na pahayag ng Pangulo.

Sa kabilang dako, ipinanukala naman ng Punong Ehekutibo na panatilihing bukas ang komunikasyon at epektibong kolaborasyon  sa pagitan ng “executive at legislative bodies” para pagsamahin ang mga batas at regulasyon sa buong rehiyon.

“Through such a partnership, we can realize in the domestic arena agreed strategies for collaboration and identify laws which are needed to harness new opportunities for the region as well as address emerging regional challenges,”  aniya pa rin.

“ASEAN member states share the same concerns regarding the increasing misuse of innovative technological applications to facilitate trafficking in persons, which, according to him, is “a multidimensional issue that needs concerted cooperation between the legislative and executive bodies in order to be resolved.” ayon sa Pangulo.

Samantala, ang AIPA  ay nagsisilbi bilang sentro ng komunikasyon at impormasyon sa hanay ng member parliaments sa  ASEAN.

Layon nito na “encourage understanding, cooperation, and close relations among member parliaments as well as observer member parliaments and other parliamentary organizations.”  (Daris Jose)