Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21) — The Philippines’ arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea dispute will continue to be recognized by the Biden administration in line with the strengthened ties between the two states, the country’s envoy maintained.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez expressed confidence on Thursday that relations between Manila and Washington will still run smoothly after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

“We’re confident that this relationship is going to continue and we’ve had a good start,” Romualdez told CNN Philippines’ New Day.

“First and foremost is the policy on the West Philippine Sea for instance. The policy shifted during the time of President Trump, they recognized our arbitral award will be continued by the Biden administration,” he added.

In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague invalidated Beijing’s sweeping territorial stakes in the South China Sea and recognized Manila’s sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone which China claims.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/1/21/Biden-US-supports-PH-victory-West-Philippine-Sea.html