RETIRED Supreme Court Associate Justice and former solicitor general Francis Jardeleza supported proposals to file a second arbitration case against China over the West Philippine Sea, saying the Philippines stands on solid legal ground following its landmark victory in 2016.
Speaking on the proposal to initiate another international legal action, Jardeleza said the country's chances of prevailing are high because the new case would build on the Philippines' earlier arbitral victory.
He said that the main issue in a second arbitration would be the question of damages arising from China's actions in the disputed waters.
He noted that compensation was not addressed in the original case because the Philippines did not seek damages at that time.
"The discussion now would be about damages," he said in an interview, adding that the country's previous legal victory remains its strongest asset in pursuing further action.
Jardeleza described China's latest moves in the West Philippine Sea as part of a series of provocations.
He questioned the administration's reluctance to file another case against China, saying that pursuing legal remedies should be a straightforward option.
Jardeleza revealed that based on information he had received from friends in the administration, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself was reportedly not inclined to pursue a new arbitration case against China.
However, he suggested that current political conditions could make it an opportune time to revisit the proposal.
At the same time, the former solicitor general commended the government's efforts to strengthen the country's defense capabilities amid continuing tensions in the disputed waters.
"What the government is doing now is correct. We are strengthening our Armed Forces with whatever resources we have," he said.
Jardeleza likewise supported the Philippine government's response to China's sanctions against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying a reciprocal or "tit-for-tat" approach was appropriate.
He expressed hope that the response from the Department of Foreign Affairs would go beyond statements and adopt a stronger stance against Beijing's actions.
China recently imposed sanctions on Teodoro, one of the Philippine officials who has been vocal in criticizing Beijing's activities in the West Philippine Sea.
The move drew condemnation from several Philippine officials and policy groups, who viewed it as an attempt to pressure Manila amid ongoing maritime disputes.