Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has praised President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 76th session on Wednesday (Sept. 22), saying it is always an honor for the country’s leader to speak before the world’s nations.
“Pinupuri ko po si Pangulong Duterte at ang kanyang talumpati sa United National General Assembly. Isa pong karangalan para sa ating bansa ang makapagsalita ang ating leader sa harapan ng buong mundo at imungkahi ang katayuan at katatagan ng Pilipinas,” Go said.
According to Go, Duterte’s speech is particularly timely and appropriate in light of the various international challenges that are currently afflicting the world, adding that the President stood firm in representing the country and its principled positions on key global issues.
“Tunay pong napapanahon at makabuluhan ang naging speech ng Pangulo dahil binigyan niya ng pansin ang mahahalagang isyu sa buong mundo ngayon, gaya ng COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, migrant workers rights, South China Sea, refugees, at UN reform,” he said.
“Isa po itong makasaysayang pagkakataon para sa buong bansa. Ipinamalas na naman ng ating Pangulo ang kanyang political will na ipaglaban ang karapatan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Sa harap ng maraming pagsubok, naninindigan tayo na walang Pilipinong mapapabayaan sa pamumuno ng ating nag-iisang pinuno ng bansa,” he added.
Go also commended the government’s efforts in pursuing an independent foreign policy wherein the Philippines is able to claim its rightful place in the community of sovereign states.
In his first UNGA speech, the President discussed interest groups’ “weaponization” of human rights, migrant worker protection, sustainable development and climate change, and the West Philippine Sea dispute.
He also referred to an earlier pledge of the country to contribute to the COVAX facility, which supplies vaccines to UN member states, and added that the government accepts its share of responsibility when it comes to climate change and will do its part to address the global issue.
The President also called for the end to the kafala system, calling it a “behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering.”
“Nothing can justify the continued existence of this unjust system. While reforms have been made, the kafala system must be dismantled – sooner rather than later – in the name of justice and basic decency,” he added.
Meanwhile, Duterte praised the 2016 arbitral judgment in the West Philippine Sea issue as a “win-win solution for all,” stressing that the conflict must be addressed peacefully, as stated in the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Dispute.
He also emphasized the Philippines’ “longstanding humanitarian tradition” as the government agreed to accept Afghan refugees, adding that the global community must do its best to “help the Afghan people and all those who continue to suffer.”
Go said: “Ipinamalas rin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kanyang pagmamalasakit sa buong mundo sa harap ng iba’t-ibang krisis. Patunay ito na ang diwa ng bayanihan ay maaaring maging ehemplo kahit sa ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa ibang bansa.”
Despite having limited resources during the pandemic, Duterte added that the country will do what it can for humanity and human dignity.
He also called for UN reform in order for the world body to uphold its relevance in dealing with global concerns.
“If the UN is to lead the world out of the many crises we face, things need to change. [The] UN must empower itself by reforming itself. Therein lies the hope of humanity,” Duterte added. (Office of SBG) – jlo
